Page 66 - Bellfort Magazine 2024

Dunclug College reach the final of the High Schools’
Cup at Kingspan Stadium!

In superb sunny conditions in Belfast, Bangor Academy started the afternoon by piling on the
early pressure, but Dunclug College worked hard to win turnovers and clear their lines. However,
Bangor Academy simply kept coming and influential fly-half, Sean Hynes, continued to make
good ground with strong carries. One of these early runs got his side to just outside the 22, and
it was from there that Frankie Forbes caught the defence cold. The openside picked and went
from the breakdown, racing into the gap down the blindside and breaking a last-ditch tackle
before reaching for the line to score.
The game’s opening try jolted Dunclug College into life, and they spent the next few minutes
camped in the Bangor Academy 22 trying to batter down the door. They were soon rewarded
with a penalty and chose to kick at goal, only for Joel Barr’s effort to hit the post. Outside centre
Joel Barr then made up for the miss with a huge line break from halfway as he drove deep into
the Bangor 22, with his side winning a penalty.
Hooker Noah Carson took the quick tap and fed the ball to Adam Walsh, who cut back across the
defensive line and darted through to score with 25 minutes played. This time Alex Houston
stepped up for kicking duties and split the posts to make it 7-5. Bangor’s Hynes slotted them
back in front with a 31st minute penalty from just outside the 22, but there was still time for Alex
Houston to land another kick of his own off the tee to give Dunclug College a 10-8 lead at the
break.
HT Bangor Academy 8-10 Dunclug College

Whatever was said to Bangor at half-time seemed to inspire them to instant action, with a huge
break by Sean McClory from halfway getting them dangerously close to the Dunclug College line.
After a few quick phases off the back of a tapped penalty, it was captain Steven Boyd who
burrowed over from close range to score the try, with Hynes landing a difficult kick to make it 15-
10.
However, Dunclug College replied with a superb try in the 43rd minute.
The backs showed good hands to combine for several phases and make the yards, before captain
Timothy McNabney crashed over for the try which was converted by Alex Houston to give them a
narrow lead.
Just three minutes later, the momentum swung back in favour of Bangor Academy who smashed
their way back into the Dunclug College 22 with a series of strong carries. Eventually they
switched it wide down the blindside and Forbes finished well for his second try of the final which
made it 20-17.
With 55 on the clock and full-time approaching, Bangor smartly elected to kick at goal with a
penalty inside the Dunclug College 22. From right in front of the posts, Hynes made no mistake
and gave his side a bit of breathing space. With the clock in the red, the Bangor Academy backs
combined well before sending Liam Mason clear for the right winger to score in the corner to
add some gloss to the scoreline.

FT Bangor Academy 30-17 Dunclug College
Scorers
Dunclug College:
TRY: Adam Walsh, Alex Houston, Timmy McNabney
CON: Alex Houston

This was a great day for every member of staff, pupil and parent from Dunclug College. The
pupils and staff sent a over 500 people to support the boys and it was without doubt one of the
highlights for Dunclug College for many years. Dunclug received unwavering support from other
schools, businesses and families in the community and it was a fantastic day, despite the result.
The hope is that this achievement inspires other young boys and girls to take part in rugby or
other sports. We will be back to fight again on another day!