LEINSTER SCHOOLS VS ULSTER SCHOOLS (26 & 27 JUNE, BELFAST)

The annual fixture between Leinster Schools and Ulster Schools will take place on Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th June at Osborne Park in Belfast.

This secondary schools interprovincial fixture has a long and proud history with the first such game taking place in 1906 at the Royal School Armagh, a game won by the Leinster side. In aggregate, Leinster has won this fixture on 24 occasions whilst Ulster have prevailed on 38 previous occasions. Last year's game was a pulsating contest which ended in a tense draw at Anglesea Road.

This year's Leinster team is managed by Rob Delaney (Chair, CL Boys Secondary Schools Cricket) supported by Kenny Carroll (Railway Union) in a coaching capacity.

The format of this annual fixture has varied over the years - as in recent seasons, the 2024 edition will be played as a 2-day red-ball fixture.

This year’s Leinster Schools team includes 4 players who participated in the recent Senior Schools Cup competition including Hassan Shahid, Captain of the Senior Cup winning team from St Joseph's Rush.

In all, there are seven schools represented in the team whilst all selected players are also established club cricketers across the province.

The Leinster Schools team to play Ulster Schools (26, 27 June) at Osborne Park is as follows:

Hassan Shahid (St Joseph's Rush)
Harry St Leger (St Columba's)
Chris Butler (CUS)
Sean Sandys (Sandford Park)
Ethan Clarke (The High School)
Isaac Dijkstra (St Columba's)
Seb Dijkstra (St Columba's)
Rob O’Brien (The High School)
Ryan Smith (Terenure College)
Tom Squires (Wesley College)
Gareth Morgan (Terenure College)

With the growth and development of girls cricket in both the NCU and NWCU regions, it is intended to establish an annual secondary schools interprovincial fixture for Girls from 2025 onwards - more to come on this.