Tyrone schools hoping for games

THE Ulster Schools’ committee has, after consultation with the 32 schools who entered the 2020/21 Schools’ Cup, outlined their proposed formats for the competitions next year.

It has been agreed that the 32 schools who entered the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup will now compete in four separate competitions of eight teams – the Schools’ Cup, Schools’ Subsidiary Shield, Schools’ Bowl and Schools’ Trophy.

Each of the competitions will be tiered, and all schools have been asked to submit their realistic preferred level of entry, which means none of the Tyrone schools – Royal School Dungannon, Omagh Academy or Strabane Academy – are likely to play in the main Schools’ Cup next year.

All competitions will revert to a knockout format, meaning that each competition will start at the quarter-final stage.

To provide as many competitive matches as possible, all losing quarter-finalists will play off in a separate competition, therefore ensuring all schools will play at least two matches, 75% will play three matches and 50%  will be involved in a final of some sort.

With the intention of working towards a Danske Bank Schools’ Cup Final on the traditional St Patrick’s Day date of Wednesday, March 17th, it is anticipated that the competitions will kick-off in early February, provided the current concerns about Covid-19 permit.

FULL STORY IN YESTERDAY’S PAPER