Marathon effort: Queen’s Alexander Clarke in charity push day after the Senior Cup Final

Throw in trying to skipper Queen’s to Senior Cup glory against Instonians at Ravenhill in Saturday’s Final after helping them avoid Division 1B relegation via the Play-Offs in the All-Ireland League and it seems like there isn’t a moment to breathe for the 25-year-old.

“Final, marathon, graduate and get married all in the space of two months — it’s mad,” laughs Clarke.

Even more mad is the timing of it all. Within 24 hours of leading out the Students at Ravenhill with silverware on the line, he’ll be at Stormont at a different kind of line — the starting line of the Belfast Marathon, readying for running all 26.2 miles.

“It wasn’t the greatest planning from myself — when I was booking the marathon I maybe should have looked at the Final date,” continues Clarke.

“We’ll prioritise the Final and run whatever time we can the day after.

“I don’t know where the head was at but it was another personal challenge and something to tick off the target list. This is absolutely a new thing for me this season.”

Although it may seem like another mad part of what is going to be a blockbuster two months for the hooker, the son of former Ulster coach Allen, his legs may not be thanking him the next day but Clarke has no regrets at signing up for the marathon.

He’ll lace them up alongside a group of his school friends looking to post an impressive time but, more importantly, to raise money for the mental health charity Aware NI, which focuses on helping people with depression and bipolar disorder.

“I’m doing my finals this year and I said I had to do something to keep myself going and keep my head sane,” he adds.

“Being a medical student, there are challenging times, and I’m sure it’s not easy for a lot of people around the world, especially at this time.

“Raising money for mental health is something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m really glad I’m getting to do it like this.”

Should he have climbed the steps to the President’s Suite at Ravenhill and lifted a trophy the day before then it will surely make the run a little easier, the former Ulster Academy forward the man entrusted with the proverbial armband for Queen’s’ third straight appearance in the decider.

Last year they were unable to defend the title they won by beating City of Armagh in 2022, losing 32-15 to Ballynahinch in the Final despite having led at half-time, but they’re back at it again a year later with the title back in their sights against arguably the fastest rising team in All-Ireland League rugby in recently crowned Division 2B champions Instonians.

Adding to the spice is that there are plenty of ex-Queen’s men among Instonians’ squad such as Richie McMaster and the Whitten brothers, but Clarke is just focused on getting the job done as a team first.

“I played six years with some of those guys so it will be strange going up against them,” he admits.

“Queen’s have a great history in the Senior Cup, we’ve won a lot as a club down the years. It’s another chance to get some silverware in a competition we pride ourselves in doing well in.

“I suppose we’ll be preparing for it like any other game and trying to get some silverware out of it.”