Academy coach out to see off his former side

The Banbridge Academy Senior Boys First XI will face Cookstown High in the quarter final of the Burney Cup on Friday (6th March) as they continue their quest for the double.
By The Newsroom
Published 5th Mar 2015, 16:07 BST
Banbridge Academy skipper Johnny McKee will be hoping to make up for last years final disappointment. Pic: Rowland White / Presseye.Banbridge Academy skipper Johnny McKee will be hoping to make up for last years final disappointment. Pic: Rowland White / Presseye.
Banbridge Academy skipper Johnny McKee will be hoping to make up for last years final disappointment. Pic: Rowland White / Presseye.

The tie (pass-back 3.45pm) will pitch the Co Tyrone boys against the Academy at Havelock in the quarter stage for the first time since 2005 - and if game that was anything to go by, then we should be in for a treat.

The County Tyrone school pride themselves in producing sides that are capable of winning major honours and in fast flowing attacking hockey - but so too do the Banbridge boys, under past Cookstown player and now Academy Coach, Mark Cordner.

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The Academy will not be underestimating their opponents and themselves will be without Aaron Reid due to injury. Every other position will be at full strength and the locals took the opportunity to prepare with no less than two warm up fixtures thanks to Premier opponents.

Cordner said: “The boys have really applied themselves in recent weeks with a distinct upgrade in approach and determination. We will be looking forward to a strong home support from the local hockey community and the school.”

The boys will be hoping to make the semi-finals alongside Regent House who beat Sullivan Upper 1-0 on Saturday to progress. Meanwhile, the Academy Second XI had a terrific 2-2 result against a talented Portadown College 1st XI side midweek as they turn the stones for Dowdall Cup quarter-final showdown at Bangor GS in Wednesday’s much awaited fixture.

Captain Aled McCluskey will, as ever, lead his bunch of stalwarts forward as they defend the Ulster title. That game will start at 4.15pm on Wednesday in Bangor.