Banbridge Academy rugby is a thriving and successful club which is open to all ages and all abilities. The club endeavours to promote the qualities of discipline, sportsmanship, hard work, respect and fair-play throughout its teams. The coaching staff also strive to provide a safe and fun environment for all our players and they work to improve the boys’ skills, fitness, knowledge and understanding of the game of Rugby Football.

Magazine Articles

Banbridge Academy Magazine 2021-2022: Rugby Article

Banbridge Academy Magazine 2022-2023: Rugby Article

Twitter: @BanAcRugby

Teams And Coaches

Matches And Competitions

All Banbridge Academy’s rugby teams play block fixtures against the country’s top schools on Saturday mornings throughout the rugby season. They also play numerous midweek matches against local opposition. In addition to these friendly fixtures the teams also play in various competitions and trophies. These are:

• The 1st XV play in the Ulster Schools 1st XV Schools Cup and the Ulster Schools 7’s competition.
• The 2nd XV play in the Ulster Schools 2nd XV Schools Cup.
• The 3rd XV play in the Ulster Schools 3rd XV Schools Cup.
• The Medallion XV play in the Ulster Schools Medallion Shield competition and the Ulster Schools Medallion 7’s competition.
• The U12 XV play in the annual Down High school 12-a-side tournament.
• The 125 Trophy – Played between the U13, Medallion and 1st XV’s from Banbridge Academy and C.U.S. Dublin.
• The Wilson Cup – Played between Banbridge Academy, Armagh Royal and Portadown College’s 1st XV’s
• The Masters Shield – Played between the U12, U13, U14, Medallion & 1st XV teams from Banbridge Academy and Dromore High.
• The Gary Clarke Memorial Trophy – Played at Lurgan Rugby club between Banbridge Academy, Portadown College, Friends School and Lurgan College’s 1st XVs

Past Players

Ireland internationals

Wing Tyrone Howe who has 14 caps, and also represented The British & Irish Lions in Australia in 2001, as well as over gaining over 100 Ulster caps and making several Barbarians appearances.

Hooker John McDonald who was awarded 4 Irish caps including playing in the inaugural world cup in 1985 and represented Ulster on numerous occasions.

Scrum Half Herbert McCracken who gained 3 Ireland caps in the 1950s as well as being a regular Ulster player.

Ulster Players

Centre Bill Harbinson represented Ulster many times in the 1980s.

Michael Daly gained 3 Ulster caps in 1990 playing in the centre.

Scrum Half Ian Porter has been a full time professional with Ulster Rugby and with Connacht Rugby between 2010-2016 gaining 28 caps and scoring 30 points. Ian also made 7 appearances for Ireland U20s in 2008.

Prop Jonathan Simpson was a full time professional with Ulster Rugby and earned several caps in the 2015-2019 seasons.

 2nd Row Alex Thompson was a fully contracted professional with Ulster Rugby and with Jersey RFC and played for Ireland U20s in 2015.