'It's not just another game' - Schools' Cup win special for Campbell College's Ritchie McMaster

The East Belfast school had gone out to RBAI in the previous two campaigns at the last-16 stage but managed the elements to win the derby and set up the home quarter-final against Regent House.

“It was definitely our big goal going into Saturday against BRA not to get too far ahead of ourselves and get a performance to guarantee a result," said McMaster. “Roughfort is a really tough place to go and we hadn't even looked any further ahead than just the 70 minutes...relieved I think is the word, a lot of stuff to improve upon but, yeah, we're happy with the outcome.

“For the young men involved it is mostly about managing emotions and people can say it's just another game but, let's be honest, it's not just another game.

"There's always that little bit of added pressure and expectation...the crowd's bigger, their friends and family are there to watch them and there's a bit more noise as well, which you have to manage.

"So just really pleased that we got through it...there's loads of stuff to work on both sides of the ball but happy to come away with a good win.”

McMaster has two weeks to get the squad firing for the last eight.

“Speaking to Richard Boyd (forwards coach) after the game he was really pleased with our lineout, both attacking and defensively,” said McMaster. “I think we could probably be a bit more brave with the ball...we kick relatively well at times and we kick-chased well but I felt we missed out on a few opportunities to connect and push edges.

"So that's something we'll look to address, overall, really pleased with our defence as well...physically, the boys stood up pretty well, we've got a great AD (athletic development) coach in Phil Greenwood, who's done a great job.”

Regent edged out Ballyclare High School by 14-12 and McMaster is looking forward to pitting his wits against Neil Doak in the coaching box for a place in the semi-final.

“I think that's the main thing is being at home, we haven't had a home draw obviously in the first round so to get a home quarter-final you can’t really ask for much more,” said McMaster. “I don't know an awful lot about Regent, we haven't played them this year...I do know that Neil Doak is in doing a bit of work with them alongside Brian McLaughlin.

“Neil's a guy who I go way back with and I've learned an awful lot from...I know they'll be really well-coached and really well-drilled.

"And they have two quality centres in Tom Bell and Matthew Callaghan, so we'll need to be ready for them.”

SCHOOLS’ CUP (RESULTS): Belfast Royal Academy 5-17 Campbell College, Regent House School 14-12 Ballyclare High School, Sullivan Upper School 15-0 Down High School, Royal School Dungannon 10-12 Rainey Endowed School, RBAI 45-10 Coleraine Grammar School, Friends' School Lisburn 10-47 Methodist College Belfast, Ballymena Academy 40-0 Portadown College, Royal School Armagh 14-21 Wallace High School.

SCHOOLS’ CUP (DRAW): Campbell College v Regent House School, Wallace High School v RBAI, Rainey Endowed School v Methodist College Belfast, Sullivan Upper School v Ballymena Academy