Antrim '˜Foyle-d' in Schools' Cup glory bid

Foyle Colleges Connall Gill scores his first try against Antrim Grammar in the Schools Cup game on Saturday morning. INLS0316GS018

The Steeple Road boys bowed out of the main competition after a gallant 20-8 defeat at Foyle & Londonderry College.

After knocking out Banbridge Academy in a dramatic last-gasp win in the previous round, Antrim made the trip to the north west with plenty of confidence.

The only points separating the teams at the break came from the boot of Matthew Orr when he converted a penalty opportunity to give Foyle a 3-0 lead.

Antrim started the second half very strongly. Team captain, Daniel McGrandles, took advantage of a great lineout from his fellow forwards. The ball was secured and the resultant driven maul was finished off with a try when Daniel grounded the ball. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful but Antrim had a 5-3 lead.

Foyle responded positively and a penalty opportunity was stroked away by Orr to swing the lead back in their favour 6-5.

Foyle then conceded a penalty, which Sam Gordon converted, to retake the lead with the scoreboard reading 8-6 in their favour midway through the second half.

But the Londonderry side found another gear in the final quarter of the game as firstly Conall Gill crossed for a converted try before the same player intercepted a pass to race clear and seal the victory.

Antrim will now travel to Portora Royal in the quarter-finals of the Schools’ Bowl.