The boys making school history on the rugby field!

Dunclug College Head Coach Shane Kelly says he is proud of the boys who have matured into fine young men and who will represent the school in their first major rugby final.

Shane told the Guardian: “As head coach of this group it means a great deal to me personally.

“Not only have I coached them from Year 8, I have been their Head of Year for 5 years in school!

“I have been involved in their school life from they were 12 and that is special. This group of boys have not only matured into great rugby and football players, but into better young men.

“I’m so proud of their achievements to date and no matter the result, I would not want to be coaching another group of boys in Ulster in a major final.

“Preparations have been good over the previous couple of weeks. We understand that many see us as underdogs for this final, and that Bangor just need to show up to win it.

“My boys have worked extremely hard and one thing I am certain of is that they have a fight in them I don’t think I’ve seen before. We are not going to make up the numbers.”

Shane said there are simply too many people to thank in the lead up to the final although a special mention needs to go to Ballymena RFC, the Youth Convenor Don Pattinson and the groundsman too.

He added: “We don’t have a rugby pitch at school, so we play our games out of the club.

“We are lucky that our link with the club is very good and that for us when young people are playing rugby at Ballymena it not only strengthens our school but the club rugby too.

“Another thanks to Jimmy Carson who has helped me coach this team this year, I would be stuck without his help and assistance.

“Finally, our school community in Dunclug. The whole school, driven by our principal Mr Oliver, has really supported this team and got behind them.

Road To The Final

Due to success in reaching the Quarter Final of the Pollock Cup, Dunclug were drawn in the last 16 of the High Schools Trophy. They won the following games;

36-0 v Rathfriland High School

QF - 17-12 v Craigavon Senior High School

SF - 36-8 v Glastry High School.