Banbridge’s rising rugby star Connor Magee has landed a pres­tigious honour to round off a sen­sational season.
On Wednesday 12th June Ulster Rugby revealed the winners of the 2023/2.4 Heineken Ulster Rugby Awards, as voted for by supporters. And the winner of the Danske Bank Boys Schools’ Player of the Year was our very own deputy head boy, Connor Magee. Quite a birthday week present for the Ballela boy, who turned 18 on Tuesday.
Ulster Rugby outlined the rea­sons for the accolade: “Connor Magee was part of the Banbridge Academy team that reached the quarter-final stage of the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup (where they were defeated by eventual winners RBAI).
“Prior to this, Connor was an integral part of the Ulster U18s Schools’ side that competed in the Interprovincial series last summer. His performances throughout the season resulted in him being named in the Ireland U18s Men’s squad for the recent Six Nations Men’s U18 Festival in Parma – as one of three Ulster players included in the side that faced France, Italy and Portu­gal.”
Ulster added: “The club would like to congratulate all of the 2023/24 Heineken Ulster Rugby Award win­ners, and to thank the individuals and clubs for the hard work and dedication they have invested into rugby in Ulster over the past season.
“Winners will be invited to attend a special event at the upcoming Ul­ster Rugby home fixture against Benetton Rugby on September 7 at Kingspan Stadium, at which they will be presented with their tro­phies.”
There were three nominees for the award, Connor and two from RBAI, Josh Gibson and Blake McLean. The fact that the Banbridge Rugby Club protege was chosen ahead of two Schools’ Cup winners speaks volumes.

We are incredibly proud of all of Connor’s achievements this season and believe it’s only the beginning for him!