# Ulster Schools' Cup

The Ulster Schools' Challenge Cup is an annual competition involving schools affiliated to the Ulster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. The Schools' Cup has the distinction of being the world's second-oldest rugby competition, having been competed for every year since 1876. The trophy itself is a three-handled silver cup with a plinth mounted on a large shield.
Methodist College Belfast have won the most titles with 37 outright wins.

## Format

The Schools' Cup was reformatted in 2003/04. Previously teams defeated in the first round would enter the Subsidiary Shield competition, teams losing in later rounds would find their season over. All entrants, except those who drew byes, entered in the first round of the competition. It was felt that this could lead to significant mismatches. The reformatting sought to avoid this and to extend the amount of meaningful rugby played by school teams.
The first round was changed to act as a qualifying stage for weaker teams and first round losers entered a new Schools' Trophy competition.
The bulk of the teams entered the competition in the second round where they were joined by the first-round qualifiers. Teams losing at this stage are entered into another new competition, the Schools' Bowl.
In the third round, four seeded teams entered the fray. Third-round losers entered the Subsidiary Shield, renamed the Schools' Shield. The Subsidiary Shield was first introduced in 1971. It did not have its own trophy until 1980 when the Headmaster of Grosvenor High School and then Ulster Branch President Ken Reid presented the Grosvenor Shield.
The remaining teams contest for the Schools' Cup proper, the semi-finals and final of which are played at Ravenhill Stadium, the Ulster Branch HQ and home of the Ulster side.
The competition format was changed again in 2005/06. The first round was a round-robin competition involving three teams. The winner from this joined eleven other teams in the second round. The six winners from the second round joined ten more teams in the third round; the second round losers competed for the Schools' Trophy.
The eight third-round winners proceeded to the fourth round where they were joined by eight seeded teams. The third-round losers competed for the Schools' Bowl. The fourth round proceeded as per the old third round.
The increased number of competitions means that schools which are very unlikely to win the main competition have more competitive rugby and an opportunity to win a trophy.

## History

The first winners in 1876 were the Royal School, Armagh. When the Cup no longer had room to record the winners on it, the Cup was mounted on a wooden shield to which plaques were attached. In the centenary year of the competition after the 1976 final, the governors of Methodist College presented a new shield, as the original had no more room to record the winners. The Royal School won in 1977, thus claiming the place at the top of the new shield. The first wooden shield is on exhibit at the Ulster Branch offices at Ravenhill Stadium.
The first final to be played at Ravenhill was in 1924. Before that, finals were played at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society grounds at Balmoral, the Ulster Sports Club grounds at Cross Parade in Belfast, and one final was played at the Linfield Football Club ground at Windsor Park.
A total of eighteen schools have won the trophy at least once.
The St. Patrick's Day final is televised live on BBC Northern Ireland.

## List of finals

Note: Prior to 1942 drawn finals were always replayed. In 1942 it was decided if the final was drawn, a replay would only take place if both schools agreed. It has since become the rule that replays are never held and the trophy is automatically shared. Shares occurred in 1942, 1953, 1954, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964 & 1996.
Key
| (R) | Replay |
| * | Trophy shared |
| † | After extra time |
Ulster Schools' Cup Winners :
| Year | Winners | Score | Runners-up | Venue |
| 1876 | The Royal School, Armagh | 3-0 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1877 | The Royal School, Armagh | 15-0 | Methodist College Belfast | RUAS Grounds |
| 1878 | Methodist College Belfast | 8-0 | Royal School Dungannon | RUAS Grounds |
| 1879 | The Royal School, Armagh | 6-0 | Methodist College Belfast | RUAS Grounds |
| 1880 | The Royal School, Armagh | 3-0 | Methodist College Belfast | RUAS Grounds |
| 1881 | The Royal School, Armagh | 6-0 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1882 | Methodist College Belfast | 3-0 | Derry Academy | RUAS Grounds |
| 1883 | The Royal School, Armagh | 8-0 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1884 | Coleraine Academical Institution | 3-0 | Foyle College | RUAS Grounds |
| 1885 | The Royal School, Armagh | 5-0 | Methodist College Belfast | RUAS Grounds |
| 1886 | Coleraine Academical Institution | 5-0 † | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1887 | Coleraine Academical Institution | 11-0 | Galway Grammar School | RUAS Grounds |
| 1888 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 3-0 | Coleraine Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1889 | Methodist College Belfast | 3-0 | Coleraine Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1890 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 16-0 | Coleraine Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1891 | Methodist College Belfast | 3-0 | Coleraine Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1892 | Methodist College Belfast | 8-0 | Coleraine Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1893 | Methodist College Belfast | 3-0 | Coleraine Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1894 | Coleraine Academical Institution | 3-0 | Methodist College Belfast | RUAS Grounds |
| 1895 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 6-5 | Coleraine Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1896 | Methodist College Belfast | 5-3 | Derry Academy | RUAS Grounds |
| 1897 | Coleraine Academical Institution | 6-0 | Methodist College Belfast | RUAS Grounds |
| 1898 | Campbell College | 7-0 | Coleraine Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1899 | Methodist College Belfast | 21-0 | Portora Royal School | RUAS Grounds |
| 1900 | Foyle College | 3-3 † | Methodist College Belfast | RUAS Grounds |
| 1900 (R) | Foyle College | 6-0 † | Methodist College Belfast | RUAS Grounds |
| 1901 | Methodist College Belfast | 6-3 | Coleraine Academical Institution | Ulster Sports Ground |
| 1902 | Methodist College Belfast | 38-0 | Portora Royal School | RUAS Grounds |
| 1903 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 28-0 | The Royal School, Armagh | RUAS Grounds |
| 1904 | Methodist College Belfast | 11-0 | Portora Royal School | RUAS Grounds |
| 1905 | Portora Royal School | 16-5 | Methodist College Belfast | RUAS Grounds |
| 1906 | Portora Royal School | 8-5 | Foyle College | RUAS Grounds |
| 1907 | Royal School Dungannon | 5-0 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1908 | Portora Royal School | 52-0 | Coleraine Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1909 | Portora Royal School | 42-0 | Coleraine Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1910 | Campbell College | 7-0 | Coleraine Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1911 | Competition not finished | Competition not finished | Competition not finished | Competition not finished |
| 1912 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 11-3 | Methodist College Belfast | RUAS Grounds |
| 1913 | Campbell College | 10-3 | Foyle College | RUAS Grounds |
| 1914 | Methodist College Belfast | 13-0 | Foyle College | RUAS Grounds |
| 1915 | Foyle College | 5-3 | The Royal School, Armagh | RUAS Grounds |
| 1916 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 3-0 | Campbell College | RUAS Grounds |
| 1917 | Campbell College | 9-3 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1918 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 24-5 | Royal School Dungannon | RUAS Grounds |
| 1919 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 8-0 | Campbell College | RUAS Grounds |
| 1920 | Coleraine Academical Institution | 3-0 | Campbell College | RUAS Grounds |
| 1921 | Campbell College | 8-0 | Coleraine Academical Institution | RUAS Grounds |
| 1922 | Campbell College | 10-0 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Windsor Park |
| 1923 | Campbell College | 23-0 | Portora Royal School | RUAS Grounds |
| 1924 | Campbell College | 16-3 | Ballymena Academy | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1925 | Coleraine Academical Institution | 13-3 | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1926 | Campbell College | 14-14 † | Coleraine Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1926 (R) | Campbell College | 11-3 | Coleraine Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1927 | Methodist College Belfast | 22-9 | The Royal School, Armagh | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1928 | Methodist College Belfast | 24-3 | Ballymena Academy | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1929 | Methodist College Belfast | 18-5 | Portora Royal School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1930 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 14-5 | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1931 | Campbell College | 12-5 | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1932 | Campbell College | 11-0 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1933 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 8-0 | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1934 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 18-0 | Lurgan College | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1935 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 6-6 † | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1935 (R) | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 14-0 | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1936 | Methodist College Belfast | 12-3 | Coleraine Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1937 | Methodist College Belfast | 5-3 | Belfast Royal Academy | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1938 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 7-6 | Coleraine Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1939 | Coleraine Academical Institution | 16-5 | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1940 | Portora Royal School | 6-3 † | Coleraine Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1941 | Portora Royal School | 11-3 | Coleraine Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1942 | Portora Royal School | 5-5* | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1943 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 8-0 | Coleraine Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1944 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 10-0 | Coleraine Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1945 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 5-0 | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1946 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 8-3 | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1947 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 7-3 | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1948 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 0-0 † | Campbell College | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1948 (R) | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 11-3 | Campbell College | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1949 | Methodist College Belfast | 12-3 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1950 | Campbell College | 5-0 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1951 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 6-0 | Campbell College | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1952 | Methodist College Belfast | 15-0 | Campbell College | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1953 | Campbell College | 0-0* | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1954 | Campbell College | 10-10* | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1955 | Campbell College | 6-5 | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1956 | Campbell College | 6-3 | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1957 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 5-3 | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1958 | Annadale Grammar School | 5-0 | Campbell College | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1959 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 8-0 | Royal School Dungannon | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1960 | Campbell College | 0-0* | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1961 | Campbell College | 16-6 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1962 | Belfast Royal Academy | 6-6* | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1963 | Belfast Royal Academy | 8-8* | Rainey Endowed School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1964 | Belfast Royal Academy | 0-0* | Campbell College | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1965 | Campbell College | 14-0 | Rainey Endowed School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1966 | Campbell College | 3-0 | Coleraine Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1967 | Rainey Endowed School | 9-6 | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1968 | Campbell College | 13-0 | Belfast Royal Academy | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1969 | Bangor Grammar School | 6-3 | Campbell College | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1970 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 11-3 | Rainey Endowed School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1971 | Belfast Boys' Model School | 14-3 | Ballymena Academy | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1972 | Ballymena Academy | 13-9 | Belfast Royal Academy | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1973 | Ballyclare High School | 13-8 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1974 | Methodist College Belfast | 7-6 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1975 | Methodist College Belfast | 18-7 | Royal School Dungannon | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1976 | Methodist College Belfast | 21-3 | Campbell College | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1977 | The Royal School, Armagh | 12-9 | Regent House Grammar School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1978 | Bangor Grammar School | 17-9 | Annadale Grammar School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1979 | Methodist College Belfast | 10-7 | Bangor Grammar School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1980 | Campbell College | 3-0 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1981 | Ballymena Academy | 12-3 | Bangor Grammar School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1982 | Rainey Endowed School | 6-4 | Ballymena Academy | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1983 | Grosvenor Grammar School | 10-7 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1984 | Methodist College Belfast | 13-9 | Belfast Royal Academy | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1985 | Bangor Grammar School | 12-3 | Omagh Academy | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1986 | Bangor Grammar School | 17-4 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1987 | Methodist College Belfast | 10-9 | Bangor Grammar School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1988 | Bangor Grammar School | 13-4 | Coleraine Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1989 | Methodist College Belfast | 26-12 | Wallace High School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1990 | Methodist College Belfast | 15-0 | Campbell College | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1991 | Methodist College Belfast | 23-7 | Coleraine Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1992 | Coleraine Academical Institution | 35-21 | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1993 | Campbell College | 46-13 | Dalriada School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1994 | Regent House Grammar School | 8-3 | Wallace High School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1995 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 18-9 | Bangor Grammar School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1996 | Methodist College Belfast | 9-9 * | Regent House Grammar School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1997 | Belfast Royal Academy | 12-0 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1998 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 57-3 | Coleraine Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 1999 | Campbell College | 18-7 | Ballymena Academy | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2000 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 24-6 | Ballymena Academy | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2001 | Methodist College Belfast | 8-6 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2002 | Campbell College | 12-10 | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2003 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 23-10 | Wallace High School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2004 | The Royal School, Armagh | 14-5 | Campbell College | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2005 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 12-10 | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2006 | Methodist College Belfast | 11-5 | Campbell College | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2007 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 15-0 | Wallace High School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2008 | Methodist College Belfast | 36-0 | Regent House Grammar School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2009 | Methodist College Belfast | 16-0 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2010 | Ballymena Academy | 10-7 | Belfast Royal Academy | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2011 | Campbell College | 18-11 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2012 | Methodist College Belfast | 22-6 | Ballyclare High School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2013 | Methodist College Belfast | 20-5 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2014 | Methodist College Belfast | 27-12 | Sullivan Upper School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2015 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 14-10 | Wallace High School | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2016 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 13-3 | Campbell College | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2017 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 12-8 | Methodist College Belfast | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2018 | Campbell College | 19-13 | The Royal School, Armagh | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2019 | Methodist College Belfast | 45-17 | Campbell College | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2020 | The Royal School, Armagh | Not played* | Wallace High School | — |
| 2021 | Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2022 | Methodist College Belfast | 20-17 | Campbell College | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2023 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 22-17 | Campbell College | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2024 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 21-14 | Ballymena Academy | Ravenhill Stadium |
| 2025 | Wallace High School | 24-15 | The Royal School, Armagh | Ravenhill Stadium |

### Points values

The values for scores in rugby union have changed throughout the history of the competition. This table summarises them.
Change in scoring :
| Date | Try | Conversion | Penalty | Dropped goal | Goal from mark |
| 1876–1885 | 1 try | 1 goal | 1 goal | 1 goal | — |
| Match decided by a majority of goals, or if the number of goals is equal by a majority of tries |||||
| 1886–1891 | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 3 points | — |
| 1891–1894 | 2 points | 3 points | 3 points | 4 points | 4 points |
| 1894–1904 | 3 points | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 4 points |
| 1905–1947 | 3 points | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 3 points |
| 1948–1970 | 3 points | 2 points | 3 points | 3 points | 3 points |
| 1971–1977 | 4 points | 2 points | 3 points | 3 points | 3 points |
| 1977–1991 | 4 points | 2 points | 3 points | 3 points | — |
| 1992–present | 5 points | 2 points | 3 points | 3 points | — |

### Records

* Most consecutive wins: 7, Royal Belfast Academical Institution 1942-48
* Greatest winning margin in final: 54 points, 1998: Royal Belfast Academical Institution 57-3 Coleraine Academical Institution
* Highest aggregate score in final: 62 points, 2019: Methodist College Belfast 45-17 Campbell College

## Results by school

Information as provided by Schools' Cup Final programme (various years)
Results by school :
| School | Location | Wins | First final won | Last final won | Runners-Up | Last final lost | Total final appearances |
| Methodist College Belfast | Belfast | 37 | 1878 | 2022 | 26 | 2017 | 65 |
| Royal Belfast Academical Institution | Belfast | 34 | 1888 | 2024 | 21 | 2013 | 60 |
| Campbell College | Belfast | 24 | 1898 | 2018 | 16 | 2023 | 43 |
| Coleraine Academical Institution | Coleraine | 9 | 1884 | 1992 | 24 | 1998 | 33 |
| The Royal School, Armagh | Armagh | 9 | 1876 | 2004 | 4 | 2025 | 14 |
| Portora Royal School | Enniskillen | 6 | 1905 | 1941 | 5 | 1929 | 11 |
| Bangor Grammar School | Bangor | 5 | 1969 | 1988 | 4 | 1995 | 9 |
| Ballymena Academy | Ballymena | 3 | 1972 | 2010 | 6 | 2024 | 10 |
| Foyle College | Derry | 2 | 1900 | 1915 | 4 | 1914 | 6 |
| Rainey Endowed School | Magherafelt | 2 | 1967 | 1982 | 2 | 1970 | 5 |
| Belfast Royal Academy | Belfast | 1 | 1997 | 1997 | 5 | 2010 | 9 |
| Royal School Dungannon | Dungannon | 1 | 1907 | 1907 | 4 | 1975 | 5 |
| Regent House Grammar School | Newtownards | 1 | 1994 | 1994 | 2 | 2008 | 4 |
| Annadale Grammar School | Belfast | 1 | 1958 | 1958 | 1 | 1978 | 2 |
| Ballyclare High School | Ballyclare | 1 | 1973 | 1973 | 1 | 2012 | 2 |
| Belfast Boys' Model School | Belfast | 1 | 1971 | 1971 | 0 | — | 1 |
| Grosvenor Grammar School | Belfast | 1 | 1983 | 1983 | 0 | — | 1 |
| Wallace High School | Lisburn | 1 | 2025 | 2025 | 5 | 2015 | 7 |
| Londonderry Academical Institution | Derry | 0 | — | — | 2 | 1896 | 2 |
| Dalriada School | Ballymoney | 0 | — | — | 1 | 1993 | 1 |
| Galway Grammar School | Galway | 0 | — | — | 1 | 1887 | 1 |
| Lurgan College | Lurgan | 0 | — | — | 1 | 1934 | 1 |
| Omagh Academy | Omagh | 0 | — | — | 1 | 1985 | 1 |
| Sullivan Upper School | Holywood | 0 | — | — | 1 | 2014 | 1 |

## Subsidiary competitions
### Schools' Shield

| * | Trophy shared |
| Year | Winners | Score | Runners-up |
| 1971 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 9–8 | Down High School |
| 1972 | Grosvenor Grammar School | 16–9 | Royal School Dungannon |
| 1973 | Portadown College | 7–0 | Belfast Boys' Model School |
| 1974 | Down High School | 9–4 | Portadown College |
| 1975 | Dalriada School | 4–3 | Carrickfergus Grammar School |
| 1976 | Ballymena Academy | 9–6 | Belfast Royal Academy |
| 1977 | Campbell College | 4–3 | Belfast Royal Academy |
| 1978 | Coleraine Academical Institution | 20–0 | Belfast High School |
| 1979 | Ballymena Academy | 10–0 | Carrickfergus Grammar School |
| 1980 | Sullivan Upper School | 3–0 | Down High School |
| 1981 | Belfast High School | 10–6 | Larne Grammar School |
| 1982 | Friends School Lisburn | 12–9 | Down High School |
| 1983 | Belfast Royal Academy | 11–6 | Wallace High School |
| 1984 | Bangor Grammar School | 9–9 * | Belfast High School |
| 1985 | Cambridge House Grammar School | 10–3 | Coleraine Academical Institution |
| 1986 | Omagh Academy | 3–3 * | Wallace High School |
| 1987 | Belfast Royal Academy | 8–6 | Portadown College |
| 1988 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 9–7 | Ballyclare High School |
| 1989 | Bangor Grammar School | 9–3 | Coleraine Academical Institution |
| 1990 | Portadown College | 7–0 | Rainey Endowed School |
| 1991 | Royal School Dungannon | 10–6 | Larne Grammar School |
| 1992 | Ballymena Academy | 15–0 | Larne Grammar School |
| 1993 | Coleraine Academical Institution | 31–16 | Ballymena Academy |
| 1994 | Omagh Academy | 13–0 | Campbell College |
| 1995 | Coleraine Academical Institution | 16–11 | Ballymena Academy |
| 1996 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 31–15 | Portadown College |
| 1997 | Portadown College | 16–9 | Ballymena Academy |
| 1998 | Rainey Endowed School | 8–6 | The Royal School, Armagh |
| 1999 | The Royal School, Armagh | 26–3 | Bangor Grammar School |
| 2000 | Royal School Dungannon | 22–19 | Portadown College |
| 2001 | Coleraine Academical Institution | 28–7 | Royal School Dungannon |
| 2002 | Coleraine Academical Institution | 23–12 | Ballyclare High School |
| 2003 | Coleraine Academical Institution | 17–17 * | Campbell College |
| 2004 | Methodist College Belfast | 19–13 | Wallace High School, Lisburn |
| 2005 | Belfast Royal Academy | 16–12 | Ballyclare High School |
| 2006 | Ballymena Academy | 17–11 | Regent House, Newtownards |
| 2007 | Ballymena Academy | 32–12 | Portadown College |
| 2008 | Royal Belfast Academical Institution | 27–12 | Coleraine Academical Institution |
| 2009 | Ballymena Academy | 36–19 | Coleraine Academical Institution |
| 2010 | The Royal School, Armagh | 22–10 | Campbell College |
| 2011 | Ballymena Academy | 33–5 | Bangor Grammar School |
| 2012 | The Royal School, Armagh | 24–3 | Limavady Grammar School |
| 2013 | Campbell College | 19–5 | Belfast Royal Academy |
| 2014 | Dalriada School | 12–3 | Ballymena Academy |
| 2015 | Ballymena Academy | 20–10 | Down High School |
| 2016 | Wallace High School | 21–5 | Down High School |
| 2017 | Down High School | 19–13 | Ballyclare High School |
| 2018 | Ballyclare High School | 34–28 | Down High School |
| 2019 | Sullivan Upper School | 27–5 | Bangor Grammar School |
| 2020 | Bangor Grammar School | Awarded to BGS * | Campbell College |
| 2021 | Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2022 | Royal School Armagh | 19-10 | Royal School Dungannon |
| 2023 | Royal School Armagh | 43-19 | Down High School |
| 2024 | Campbell College | 45-14 | Royal School Armagh |

### Schools' Bowl

| * | Trophy shared |
| Year | Winners | Score | Runners-up |
| 2004 | Regent House Grammar School | 22–0 | Dalriada School |
| 2005 | Rainey Endowed School | 24–5 | Carrickfergus Grammar School |
| 2006 | Foyle and Londonderry College | 22–19 | Limavady Grammar School |
| 2007 | Royal School Dungannon | 11–11 * | Sullivan Upper School |
| 2008 | Foyle College | 39–24 | Cambridge House Grammar School |
| 2009 | The Royal School, Armagh | 17–7 | Grosvenor Grammar School |
| 2010 | Foyle College | 28–7 | Grosvenor Grammar School |
| 2011 | Rainey Endowed School | 14–11 | Friends School Lisburn |
| 2012 | Sullivan Upper School | 24–12 | Belfast Royal Academy |
| 2013 | Omagh Academy | 24–0 | Rainey Endowed School |
| 2014 | Foyle College | 11–5 | Banbridge Academy |
| 2015 | Dalriada School | 31–15 | Rainey Endowed School |
| 2016 | Portora Royal School | 20–7 | Grosvenor Grammar School |
| 2017 | Bangor Grammar School | 41-3 | Regent House Grammar School |
| 2018 | Belfast Royal Academy | 26-14 | Portadown College |
| 2019 | Coleraine Grammar School | 26-16 | Friends School Lisburn |
| 2020 | Dromore High School | 33-17 | Banbridge Academy |
| 2021 | Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2022 | Rainey Endowed School | 42-16 | Belfast High School |
| 2023 | Banbridge Academy | 31-15 | Friends School Lisburn |
| 2024 | Ballyclare High School | 10-7 | Cambridge House Grammar School |

### Schools' Trophy

| Year | Winners | Score | Runners-up |
| 2004 | Lurgan College | 18–8 | Cambridge House Grammar School |
| 2005 | Strabane Grammar School | 24–13 | Lurgan College |
| 2006 | Down High School | 48–5 | Lurgan College |
| 2007 | Larne Grammar School | 11–3 | Omagh Academy |
| 2008 | Larne Grammar School | 12–0 | Dalriada School |
| 2009 | Carrickfergus Grammar School | 34–26 | Down High School |
| 2010 | Portadown College | 14–15 (*) | Cambridge House Grammar School |
| 2011 | Portora Royal School | 22–5 | Omagh Academy |
| 2012 | Omagh Academy | 9–5 | Larne Grammar School |
| 2013 | Banbridge Academy | 32–0 | Portora Royal School |
| 2014 | Royal School Dungannon | 17–15 | Wellington College Belfast |
| 2015 | Royal School Dungannon | 29–10 | Lurgan College |
| 2016 | Banbridge Academy | 15–0 | Belfast High School |
| 2017 | Foyle College | 15-11 | Banbridge Academy |
| 2018 | Banbridge Academy | 25-16 | Belfast High School |
| 2019 | Dromore High School | 14-10 | Limavady Grammar School |
| 2020 | Royal School Dungannon | 39-14 | Larne Grammar School |
| 2021 | Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic | Competition cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2022 | Lurgan College | 21-12 | Portadown College |
| 2023 | Portadown College | 32-14 | Cambridge House Grammar School |
| 2024 | Dalriada School | 40-5 | Antrim Grammar School |
(*) - Cambridge House fielded an ineligible player in the final: the Trophy was awarded to Portadown College.