A Northern Ireland school received a visit from a very special guest this week after it recorded a little piece of history.
Antrim Grammar School is celebrating after its 1st XV rugby team secured its first-ever trophy at senior level.
The squad clinched the Danske Bank 1st XV Schools' Trophy in a thrilling final against Larne Grammar School at Pirrie Park in Belfast, earlier this month.
To mark the achievement, the Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Neil Kelly, visited the school to personally congratulate the team on their 22-19 win.
The Mayor was greeted by captain Jack McNeilly and vice-captain Eoin Byrne who shared their experiences of the match and their rugby journey at the school, before meeting the entire team.
Antrim Grammar School's rugby programme has gone from strength to strength in recent years, with the dedicated efforts of Director of Rugby, Mr. Jamie Orr and fellow coaches.
Key to their success was the intensive pre-season training tour to Cape Town, South Africa, in July, where the squad endured rigorous training sessions in extreme conditions. This experience played a vital role in shaping the team’s discipline, teamwork, and determination - qualities that ultimately led them to the win.
The celebrations following the win were a testament to what this triumph meant to the school community, family and friends with an unforgettable pitch invasion by over 300 AGS supporters at the final whistle.
Speaking to the team at the Grammar School, the Mayor praised the team’s dedication and resilience, commending their hard work throughout the season.
He said: “What these young men have achieved, underscores the importance of sport in shaping young athletes and creating a sense of pride and achievement within the community”.
Principal of Antrim Grammar School, Mr Martin Wilson added: “This momentous victory is particularly significant as it coincides with Antrim Grammar School’s 50th Anniversary, making the achievement even more special for the players, staff, and supporters.
"We have held several presentation assemblies to showcase this achievement and encourage our younger pupils to strive for excellence”.
Mr Orr, Director of Sport at Antrim Grammar and Team Coach, reflected on the significance of this achievement.
He said: “This victory is about more than just a trophy. It symbolises what can be achieved through belief, hard work, and unity. This landmark victory will be remembered as a defining moment in the school’s sporting history, and the legacy of this squad will live on for years to come.
"We are determined to build on this momentum and continue to develop the rugby programme and ensure AGS competes at the highest level. With a strong foundation now in place, the school’s rugby future looks brighter than ever."
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
