The Danske Bank Schools Cup Semi Finals have been completed and Campbell College will play Royal School Armagh in the final at the Kingspan Stadium on Monday 19th March.

Campbell College 17 Methodist College 8

Campbell College ground out their 17 – 8 win against Methody on Tuesday afternoon with a gritty display.

The match was far from a thriller with neither side really opening up as the well coached defences dominated. Methody enjoyed the bulk of territory and possession in the opening quarter but the bulk of play was confined to the middle of the park. Ethan McIlroy opened the scoring for MCB with a penalty on the 15 minute mark.

Campbell came more into the game during the second quarter and they were able to make more of their chances with a 28th minute penalty by Conor Rankin followed by a 33rd minute try from winger Rex Tinsley who looked threatening throughout. Rankin added the conversion from out wide to give Campbell a 10 – 3 lead at half time.

Methody looked for a response at the start of the second half but the Campbell pack were able to turn over ball at critical times. After soaking up early pressure the boys in black were able to convert their chances with John McKee finding the line after a period of play in the Methody 22. The assured Rankin again converted and the game looked over with the score reading 17 – 3 in Campbell’s favour on the 50 minute mark.

A late rally saw Matthew Neill cross for Methody, for an unconverted try, but it was too little too late as Campbell held on to book their appearance in the final with an 17 – 8 win.

Campbell College: Conor Rankin, Will Davis, Jamie Macartney, Ben Power, Rex Tinsley, Oscar Yandall, Dara Gaskin; John McKee (C), Harry Jenkins, Patrick McAlpine, Oisin Kiernan, John Harrison, Jack Stinson, Sam Robinson, Tobi Olaniyan. Replacements: John Gildea, Matthew Carlisle, Matthew Poor, James Johnston, Jamie Brennan, Lucas Yandall, Jack McAllister, Kieran Robertson.

Methodist College: Ethan McIlroy, Conor Scollan, Kevin McNaboe, John Fletcher, Chris Larmour, Thomas Armstrong, Matthew Neill (C); Daire Morelli, Daniel Humphreys, Ben Crangle, Max Lyttle, Ben Gourley, Conor Kelly, Samuel Bernard, Jonah Bingham. Replacements: Patrick Johnston, Tom Millar, Luke Sullivan, Adam Reid, Jack Watson, Louis Lowry, Tom O’Doherty, Robbie Armstrong.

GALLERY BELOW

Pictures below by Bob Given Photography & John McMurtry

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