History has been made! Wallace High School’s 1st XV rugby team has triumphed in the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Cup final, securing a memorable victory over Royal School Armagh on 17th March 2025 at Kingspan Stadium.
This incredible achievement marks the first time Wallace has lifted the Schools’ Cup trophy outright, cementing the school’s place among Ulster rugby’s elite.
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A Historic Triumph
The final was a thrilling contest, with Wallace showcasing a perfect blend of determination, skill, and team spirit to overcome a strong Royal School Armagh side. The Wallace players delivered a commanding performance, cheered on by a passionate crowd of students, staff, parents, and alumni who packed the stands in Belfast.
Despite Armagh taking an early lead, the Wallace side quickly got into their stride with two tries from Rio McDonagh and one each from James Gould and Luke Dillon, with Josh Geddis making two conversions. The final score was 24-15 to Wallace. This was a highly competitive encounter and showcased the quality of rugby in Ulster.
The moment the final whistle blew, the Wallace supporters erupted in celebration as Captain Jon Rodgers proudly lifted the Schools’ Cup, fulfilling a lifelong dream for the team and the school community.
A Legacy of Success
Wallace High School first reached the Schools’ Cup final in 1989, followed by appearances in 1994, 2003, 2007, 2015, and 2020. The 2020 final, which was shared with Royal School Armagh due to Covid-19, left an unfinished chapter in Wallace’s rugby history. However, this year’s victory has firmly written a new and triumphant page—one that will be remembered for generations.
A Special Family Connection
Adding to the emotion of this historic win, a number of the 2025 team members are the sons of players from Wallace’s first-ever Schools’ Cup final in 1989. Sam Warwick’s father played in the 1989 team, as did Captain Jon Rodgers’ father, Michael Rodgers, who captained the 1989 team. This remarkable father-son connection has deepened the significance of Wallace’s triumph, making it a moment of true legacy and tradition.
Another key link to the school’s first final is Wallace teacher Mr Alan Monteith, who played in the 1989 Schools’ Cup final and has been instrumental in guiding the current generation of players to glory.
Meet the Schools’ Cup Champions 2025
The squad that etched their names into Wallace history:
Name
No.
Name
No.
Replacements
Rio McDonagh
1
Alex Stevenson
9
Odhran Cole
James Gould
2
Quinn Armstrong
10
Daniel Macklin-Copeland
Ollie Fitzsimmons
3
Joshua Booth
11
James Furphy
Rhys Ewing
4
Harry Daniel
12
Charlie Thompson
Michael McCavery
5
Luke Dillon
13
James Curran
Ben Moore
6
Daniel Wilson
14
Corey Dawson-Stirling
Jon Rodgers (Captain)
7
Josh Geddis
15
Elliot Harris
Sam Warwick
8
A Moment to Remember
This victory is not just about one match—it is the result of years of dedication, training, and passion for rugby at Wallace High School. The team has inspired future generations and proven that hard work and belief can lead to the ultimate success.
As the Schools’ Cup champions of 2025, Wallace High School celebrates this historic achievement with immense pride. The trophy now belongs to Wallace, and the journey to this moment will be cherished forever.
1st XV Head Coach and Director of Rugby, Mr Derek Suffern, reflecting on this historic achievement, commented:
“Winning the Schools’ Cup is a testament to all the hard work, dedication, and belief that went into this journey. I am incredibly proud of this team of players and very grateful for all the support along the way from parents, coaches, supporters, and senior rugby squad members. I will treasure this special moment for a long time. Thank you and well done to all involved.”
Highlighting how this incredible success was achieved, Mr Neil Hinds, Master in Charge of Rugby, stated:
“I would like to pay tribute to all our rugby coaching staff, who over the last six or seven years have positively impacted the skill sets and performance levels of our 1st XV. They have given selflessly to ensuring our pupils have improved individually and collectively. The time commitment and attention to detail have been immense.
Derek Suffern, Kyle McCall, and Jonny Hunter have taken this group to a new level of professionalism and they deserve all the praise for securing our first-ever Schools’ Cup. The understated work of physio Philip Parr, Sports Psychologist Paul McKenzie, Analyst Alan Monteith, and S&C Director Paul Heasley should also be recognised. This has been a plan seven years in the making and superbly executed by our coaching team.
Captain Jon Rodgers and his team have learnt from defeat and shown a growth mindset in ensuring that performances have improved throughout the year. A successful training camp in Portugal ensured that the players knew their individual roles, and tactics were fine-tuned through a difficult fixture list.
The captaincy of Jon Rodgers has been exemplary both on and off the pitch. He has led by example, and he and his squad of players have created a magnificent legacy that will never be forgotten. The squad has given all our supporters the gift of a lifetime, and we have been blown away by the outpouring of happiness and affection from past and present players, pupils, parents, staff, and coaches.
A big thank you to our Principal, Mrs O’Hare, and our Board of Governors for their unwavering support, and to all our parents who have worked tirelessly to ensure our players have been on time, that their kits have been washed, and who have supported us through six or seven years around Ireland and in some awful weather conditions.
Finally, to our sponsors this year who have supported this senior rugby group financially—without your support, this legacy would not have been created.”
Thanks to our Sponsors
Thank you to all the sponsors who have helped and supported rugby at Wallace.
McCavery Roofing
Irish Stone
Digicom
PRM
Thirdways
Willis Pharmacy
Kukri
Locale Home Sales and Lettings
Exchange Accountants
JFF Solicitors
R&R Contracts
Marmalade Sandwich Bar
Once again, on behalf of the wider Wallace community, congratulations to the players, coaches, and supporters who made this dream a reality. Wallace High School—Ulster Schools’ Cup Champions 2025!
