This season’s Danske Bank Schools’ Cup competition is due to kick off later today.
The Northern Ireland Schools’ FA-run competition returns with 49 schools vying for the U18 trophy to the delight of NIFSA chairman Paul Kerr.
He said: “It is fantastic to see so many schools entering the competition and for us to be back playing schools’ football.
“I would like to thank Danske Bank for their continued support for schools’ football and also wish all the schools taking part the very best in the competition.”
Last year’s competition was cancelled due to Covid and both NISFA and the schools are pleased to see its return. A total of 34 schools feature in round one matches, while 15 have received byes.
Schools making their debut this time around are Cross and Passion College (Ballycastle), Belfast High School (Newtownabbey) and Down High School (Downpatrick).
Meanwhile, a Danske Bank Schools’ Cup for girls’ teams is also set to be staged this season. It will kick off in January.
The tie of the round today is an all-Belfast clash between Campbell College and RBAI. It is due to kick off at Campbell at 3pm. And it’s the same kick-off time for all the fixtures, which are listed below.
Image: Students from Laurelhill Community College in Lisburn help David Greenlees of Danske Bank and NISFA chairman Paul Kerr launch the Danske Bank-sponsored Schools’ Cup competitions for both boys’ and girls’ teams. The U18 boys’ competition kicks off today.
DANSKE BANK SCHOOLS’ CUP 2021-22
FIRST ROUND
Oakgrove College v St Brigid's College (both Derry-Londonderry)
Ballymena Academy v Cambridge House (Ballymena)
Cross and Passion College (Ballycastle) v St Louis (Ballymena)
Shimna Integrated College (Newcastle) v Royal School Dungannon
Portadown College v Down High (Downpatrick)
Enniskillen Royal v Omagh Academy
All Saints College v Ashfield (both Belfast)
Ballyclare High v St Malachy’s College (Belfast)
Lagan College (Belfast) v Bangor Grammar
Rathmore (Finaghy) v Aquinas (Belfast)
Blessed Trinity College v Methodist College (both Belfast)
Campbell College v RBAI (both Belfast)
De La Salle (Belfast) v St Colm's (Twinbrook)
St Patrick's (Lisburn) v Colaiste Feirste (Belfast)
St Mary's CBGS (Belfast) v Bangor Academy
Regent House (Newtownards) v Belfast High School (Newtownabbey)
Belfast Royal Academy v Laurelhill Community College (Lisburn)
Byes: Edmund Rice College (Glengormley), Hazelwood College (Belfast), Belfast Boys’ Model, Dromore High School, St Kevin’s College (Lisnaskea), St Patrick’s Academy (Dungannon), Cullybackey College, Sperrin Integrated College (Magherafelt), St Columb’s College (Derry-Londonderry), Grosvenor (Belfast), Our Lady and St Patrick’s (Belfast), Omagh High School, St Patrick’s (Downpatrick), Holy Cross College (Strabane), St Colm’s (Draperstown).
