On the 28th April 2002, the Abbey Grammar quiz team fended off competition from seven other schools from the UK in the thrilling National Finals of the School’s Challenge competition, becoming the first Northern Irish School to win the title in its twenty-two year history. The team comprising of David Matthews, Patrick McGuigan, Colm O’Grady and Peadar Coyle were obviously elated at the victory and the school are naturally proud. Preparations began for the quiz, which resembles the BBC 2 television show University Challenge, in December 2001 and due to the cancellation of the Irish News Quiz this year, the team focused on retaining the regional title they won last year. In March of this year, the Abbey team did just that, beating R.B.A.I. in a tense regional final. As a result, the Abbey qualified as one of eight teams for the National final, held in Shrewsbury School Shropshire.

In the quarterfinal of the knockout tournament, the Abbey were drawn against the five-times finalists, and winners three years ago, Devonport High School. The Abbey started well against the much-fancied school from Plymouth and despite technical problems, the Abbey maintained their composure for the thirty-minute encounter, winning 780 to 530.

The Abbey’s next opponents, for a place in the final, were King Edward VI Grammar School from Chelmsford, who were impressive in their first round match. In the semi-final, both teams started well, neither team letting the other take a commanding lead. After some inspired interruptions on the buzzer, the Abbey pushed ahead, and despite some spirited comebacks towards the end, the Abbey proved too strong for the Essex based team, winning 870 to 530.

The Abbey, and their opponents in the final, Royal Grammar School Guildford, were understandably nervous but the Abbey had nothing to lose as they were the first Northern Irish team to make it to this stage. However, the Abbey ended their semi-final with a run of excellent form and if this continued against the much-favoured Royal Grammar School Guildford in the final, victory looked more likely. The Royal Grammar School Guildford were the team that denied the Abbey the runners-up trophy last year, by the closest of margins so the Abbey had extra drive in order to gain revenge. In the competition, the Abbey did not let nerves get the better of them, as they scored four hundred points before their opponents could reach their first century. The gap increased further, and a dispirited Guildford team fought on, but the Abbey were unstoppable, winning by a margin of 1060 to 660 points.

The team were naturally very pleased with the victory and the team captain David Matthews said, “We didn’t expect to win. We knew from last year that the competition was strong but I think that the team worked well and all came together at the competition”.

Paul Matthews

In the photgraph with Mr. D. McGovern (headmaster) and Miss F. Armstrong (Teacher in charge of quizzes) are Patrick McGuigan, David Matthews, Peadar Coyle, Paul Mathews and Colm O'Grady.