By 
OMAGH Academy’s rugby first XV reclaimed the Danske Bank Schools Trophy at Royal School Dungannon when they defeated a determined Foyle College side 17-12 in the decider to ensure the Year 14 contingent signed off their playing careers with the team in style.
“I said to the [Year 14] guys, it’s a great way to end your schools career, picking up a trophy. You saw it in them, they were delighted afterwards on the pitch and it was well deserved because they are a great group to work with and they deserve it,” Academy head coach, Ryan Mitchell beamed following Saturday’s match and after a successful first year in charge of the team.
“They have been a great group to work with all year and it’s great to get silverware in our hands so hopefully it pushes the guys on next year to go and do the same again or win something further up.
“We’re losing a good few next year, but we will have a big squad again and hopefully we’ll have three teams out again, so it will be good to have a go again!”
The school last picked up the same piece of silverware 14 years ago when the team, captained by their now head coach Mitchell, defeated Larne Grammar 9-5 thanks to three Andy Allen penalties at Dungannon’s Stevenson Park.
A decade and a half later, the scoreline looks a little more comfortable, but it was again a battle of attrition which Omagh won thanks to several key performances, including those of captain Harry McIlwaine, who carried the ball like his life depended on it, talented back Sam Harper who kicked intelligently throughout and weighed in with a penalty and a conversion, while forward Ryan Mitchell and Joshua Orr weighed in with key scores in either half.
“The guys started really well, scored a good early try and they came back at us rightly. It was a good, tough battle,” Omagh Academy’s teacher in charge of rugby, Ryan Mitchell, observed.
“We got to 10-0 just after half-time but they never went away and they pegged us back, got to 10-5 but we responded and went 17-5, but they came back again to make it 17-12. They just never went away and stuck at it to make it a good, tough battle.
“We were under pressure at times but the guys managed it well. Sam Harper was brilliant, he put us in the right areas of the park; captain Harry McIlwaine was outstanding, he led from the front, was physical, carried hard and led at the lineout, he as excellent; the pack fronted up, were physical, fronted up and looked after the ball, while carrying it hard, and we took our chances when we got them.”
Omagh Academy team
A Coulter, A Hassard, R Mitchell, D Liggett, I Sheridan, L Cooke, J Crosbie, H McIlwaine (cpt), S Harper, S Braden, Eoin McCusker, M McClung, J Bradley, L McIvor, J Adams. Replacements: ABeggs, C Huey, H McCormack, M Armstrong, A Keys, M Bates, J Orr, M Brady, A Pinkerton, A Brade.
