Waiting game for Schools' Cup finalists

However, like nearly all sporting events throughout the world, this year’s showpiece final between Royal School Armagh and Wallace High School at Kingspan Stadium has been suspended to the outbreak of coronavirus.

Royal School Armagh assistant coach Chris Parker, while disappointed for the team, believes it was the right to put the final on hold.

“It’s 100% the right decision there is bigger things at play here than a schoolboy game of rugby,” he said.

“The boys are bitterly disappointed but hopefully things can work its way through and at some stage we maybe do get it played but we just have to wait and see at the minute.”

The decision to postpone the game came last Thursday, Parker revealed they had been keeping an eye on the situation as they continued their final preparations.

“We were monitoring how things were going and we were prepping the boys as normal and we just kept saying we’ll prepare as if it is happening,” he said.

“Everything spiralled on Thursday pretty quickly then you get the disappointing news that rugby is going to have to take a back seat for two weeks.

“Ultimately though those decisions had to be made and it is the right decision, but it is still disappointing for the boys.”

All rugby activity has been suspended meaning Armagh cannot even train during this period of suspension.

“The hard bit is the boys are in school and all together because schools are still to be kept open, but there is no training, there is nothing,” said Parker.

“We have just asked the boys to focus on their studies for the next two weeks.

“It is important they concentrate of that aspect of it moving towards the summer exams and we’ll pick up rugby when we can.”

Parker is hopefully that the final can still be played at a later date.

“I guess it is get to March 29th and see what the news is then and see if these protocols stay in place and take it from a deadline to deadline basis,” he said.

“Ultimately I think both schools would be keen to get it played.

“Once things become a bit clearer maybe that can be talked about with Ulster Rugby.

“Hopefully at some stage we can get it played, but obviously the public’s general health is a bit more important than a schoolboy game of rugby.”

Armagh haven’t won the School’s Cup since 2004 while Wallace are chasing their first ever title.