Page 90 - Bellfort Magazine 2019
P. 90
ULSTER CUP WINNING SUCCESS after finding themselves trialling
by 5-0 in the first half, before
The Under 16 Rugby Team were,
Conor McDonald became the
undoubtedly, the sporting suc-
hero of the hour, after scoring a
cess story of the year, with their
vital try to get the team back on
remarkable journey to cup win-
level terms. Jack Gaston kept his
ning success in the Ulster
nerve to slot home the conver-
Schools’ Subsidiary Shield com-
sion to edge the team ahead by
petition. The team had faced
a score-line of 7-5 at half-time.
school opposition in previous
The second half was an incredi-
rounds which involved a particu-
bly tight affair and Dunclug re-
larly long journey to Markethill,
lied heavily upon some inspired
Armagh and games closer to
tackling and defending at times,
home against both Slemish Col-
encouraged by the vocal sup-
lege and Carrickfergus Acade-
port offered by a bus-load of
body on edge, but when the
kick fell short, a high sigh of re-
lief was heard as far away as the
foothills of Slemish! The final
whistle signalled the start of ju-
bilant celebrations from all the
players and supporters who had
travelled to make the day extra
special. It was left to Leon
Bracewell, the team captain, to
receive the Subsidiary Shield
and have the name of Dunclug
College engraved on the trophy
for the first time ever in the
supporters from school . Mr
my. The last of these games Kelly provided his schools’ history.
was played in the worst condi- own encourage-
tions imaginable, closer to an ment and directed
SAS survival mission, as op- operations, as best
posed to a rugby match! Despite he could from the
the atrocious conditions, with a side-lines, but it
gale force wind and driving rain was left to the
to contend with, the team se- team to hold firm
cured the win and a place in the and keep Devenish
coveted final at Portadown rug- at bay. In the dying
by club. minutes of the
In the final played against game, a penalty
Devenish College, Enniskillen, from a kickable
90 the team rose to the challenge range had every-
