Delighted Down High facing the unknown

Delighted Down High facing the unknown

19 February 2014

DOWN High School go into uncharted waters on Saturday when they entertain a strong Sullivan Upper side in the quarter-finals of the Danske Bank Schools’ Cup.

Having narrowly defeated Rainey in the previous round, this is the first time Down High have reached the last eight of the prestigious competition.

The two sides have already met twice this year with Sullivan taking the spoils on both occasions, but Down High didn’t have key players available for both fixtures.

With these players now available and Sullivan having to travel to Downpatrick, the locals fancy themselves to cause an upset.

Down High reached the quarter-finals after beating Rainey 6-5 at a wet and windy Magherafelt. The conditions dictated the pattern of play and all the points were scored in the first half.

Sullivan booked their place in the last eight with a mightily impressive 25-0 win over Bangor Grammar and are being touted in many quarters as a side likely to go all the way in this year’s competition.

Sullivan, who are coached by former Irish captain Willie Anderson, are a formidable team made up of a number of players that won the Medallion Shield three seasons ago.

They have a number of representative players in their line-up including Ross Todd, Dave Cave, David McMaster, Michael Cartmill, Josh Davidson, Peter Cooper, Zac Bertenshaw, Mark Adair, Angus McCartney and James Houston, and are expected to go far in the competition.

They have had a successful season so far which involved a training trip to Portugal, but Down High fear no one at the moments and will certainly make things comfortable for their much-vaunted visitors.

Down High will rely heavily on Ulster Schools player Thomas Donnan and the accuracy of Patrick Wright’s kicking, but they are more than just a set-piece side.

They have a mobile pack, who know when to run and when to ruck and in out half Ross Carlisle they have the very man capable of unlocking the Sullivan defence.

Big games will also be expected from William Martin, Ricky Gill, Nathan Gibson, Thomas McAvera, Ryan Smyth and Thomas Johnston and if they are all on song then Sullivan be warned.

Meanwhile, the Down High Medallion side take on Methodist College in a quarter-final replay at home tomorrow afternoon at 2.30pm.