Dalriada’s 1st XV picked up their second major trophy in two years when they convincingly beat Rainey Endowed School at Ballymena Rugby Club in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools Bowl Final 31 points to 15. Captain Michael Finnerty led from the front scoring a hatrick of tries. Dalriada took the game by the scruff of the neck in the first ten minutes running in two excellent converted tries. From that point on Dalriada were able to control the game and despite Rainey rallying and scoring an excellent try Dalriada’s pressure defence forced another score when a mistake at the line out close to the Rainey line allowed Dalriada to go into half time 19 – 5 up.

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For the second year running Dalriada 1st XV have made a major Schools’ final after beating Banbridge Academy on Saturday 19 points to 11. Three second half tries turned a half time deficit into a final position where Banbridge had to score twice to win the game.  The final will be played on Wednesday 4th March at Ballymena Rugby Club where the opponents will be Rainey. A big support is required if the Dalriada boys are to land another trophy for what could be the second in two seasons.

On Saturday 24th January saw the School’s 1st XV start their cup campaign. With a healthy travelling support the Ballymoney side fought valiantly throughout the game initially taking the lead in the 1st half. Falling behind to two tries from Bangor the last quarter saw Dalriada come back  with a converted try making the last seven minutes very tense. Bangor managed to score with the last play of the game leaving the final score 27-15. Later on in the day the draw for the Bowl competition saw the 1st XV drawn at home against Grosvenor.

The following saturday the Medallion side were to enter the Medallion Shield competition at the 4th round stage. Unfortunately the weather forced the postponment of the game. Hasty re-arrangement scheduled the game for the following tuesday but again overnight frost forced postponment. Wednesday the same story unfolded but finally the game took place at Ballyclare on the thursday afternoon.

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Dalriada playing in their second Subsidiary Shield final, separated by 39 years the current 1stXV travelled to Shaws Bridge in Belfast to take on local rivals Ballymena Academy. In a tight and exciting game it was Dalriada who led from start to finish, scoring two well worked tries to seal a 12-3 victory.

Playing with the wind in the first half it was the Dalriada boys who started the brightest, making several breaks in midfield. One of these breaks by centre Peter Dunlop resulted in right wing Matthew Lockhart finishing off the play with a try in the corner. They hoped to kick on from this position using the strong wind but were unable to add to the score line before half time.

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Last Saturday Dalriada turned in another impressive performance at home to secure a place in the Subsidiary Shield Final with a 20 – 0 victory over Bangor Grammar. An excellent performance saw four well worked tries from Adam Barton, Henry Loan, Peter Dunlop and Scott Malcolmson. The victory sets up a final with Ballymena Academy who defeated Limavady Grammar.

The final is scheduled to be played next Wednesday 19th March at Shaws Bridge in Belfast with a 2 30 ko. The team is looking for big support and is hoping for the Ballymoney community to travel to the game in large numbers. Dalriada previously won the Subsidiary Shield back in 1976 beating Carrrick Grammar with current Headmaster Mr Tom Skelton being a member of that successful team.

So Dalriads past and present, young and old, get your ‘flags and old school shirts’ out and make your way to Belfast for this important game.

Last Saturday Dalriada turned in another impressive performance at home to secure a place in the Subsidiary Shield Final with a 20 – 0 victory over Bangor Grammar. An excellent performance saw four well worked tries from Adam Barton, Henry Loan, Peter Dunlop and Scott Malcolmson. The victory sets up a final with Ballymena Academy who defeated Limavady Grammar.

The final is scheduled to be played next Wednesday the 19th March at Shaws Bridge in Belfast with a 2 30 ko. The team is looking for big support and is hoping for the Ballymoney community to travel to the game. Dalriada previously won the Subsidiary Shield back in 1976 beating Carrrick Grammar with current Headmaster Mr Tom Skelton being a member of that successful team.

So Dalriads past and present get your ‘flags and old school shirts’ out and make your way to Belfast for this important game.

Dalriada got their Schools’ Cup campaign off to an effective start with an impressive four try win over Portadown College. Played in very wet and windy conditions both sides dealt with them admirably and played some good rugby.

It was Dalriada that came racing out of the blocks, exerting early pressure they scored a quick try through a great kick through by Timmy Emerson, to be collected by winger Robert Hunter to score in the corner.

Again from the restart the Dalriada forwards kept the pressure on by controlling possession and by some effective driving play. They made progress up the pitch with some strong ball carries from Matthew Christie and Scott Malcomson. Portadown were penalised for an offence at the breakdown and although within kickable range, Dalriada opted to kick for the corner looking for more than just 3 points. Captain Timmy Emerson kicked perfectly to the corner giving Dalriada a line-out 5 metres out.  The forwards took clean ball, set the maul and impressively drove over the line with Scott Love touching down. With the conversion added Dalriada were 12-0 up after only 10 minutes.

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Dalriada senior rugby teams  are all involved in Cup campaigns this season. The 2nd XV have already played their first game and recorded a very impressive 42-0 victory

over Bangor Grammar at home just before the Christmas break and now face a tough away trip in the next round, away to Wallace. The game is scheduled for Wednesday 29 January with a 3 pm ko.

The Medallion team got their Shield campaign off to a flying start last saturday, with a fine 26-20 win over Bangor Grammar, scoring four tries. Leading throughout Dalriada, held their nerve towards the end of the game when Bangor tried to make a late resurgence but were met with stout defence. Into the next round they now face Campbell College  with the game due to be played on saturday 1st February with a 10.45 ko.

The 1st XV open their campaign on Saturday 25 January with a 11.00 am ko at home against Portadown College. The senior squad have enjoyed a very promising season and are really looking forward to the challenge of the cup. They also are looking forward to having plenty of support next saturday.

On Friday 22nd February 2013 a group of 48 boys and 4 coaching staff from Dalriada travelled to Glasgow to watch the Ulster versus Glasgow game, followed by matches on Saturday against U13 and U14 rugby teams from Hutcheson Grammar School.

On Saturday there were near perfect playing conditions and all three Dalriada squads played exceptionally well and recorded three good wins against their Scottish opposition. The final score in the U13A match was 48-5 to the Dalriada boys and the U13B team had an almost equally impressive 39-5 victory. The U14 team faced particularly strong opponents in a Hutcheson Grammar U14 side who had only been beaten twice in the whole of Scotland; once again the Dalriads secured a 36-19 win.

After the game the Dalriada boys were treated to refreshments by their excellent Scottish hosts. Gifts were exchanged to mark the occasion and the Man of Match Awards were presented.

The Dalriada U13 and U14 teams now look forward to tournaments to bring the curtain down on what was been an outstanding season for this squad of talented players.