Academy learn All-Ireland fate

The major schools event, seen as the pinnacle of every schoolboy’s hockey career, will take place over four venues and three days from October 24–26.

The Academy carry the tag of Ulster Schools Number 1 into the tournament adding the accolade of back to back winners of the event, holding the Tasmanian trophy since 2010.

They also have the honour of hosting no less than four games in the tournament at the Academy astro, another move forward for boys’ hockey within the school grounds.

The Academy are currently without the services of Captain Thomas Sturgeon and Vice Captain Ben Cosgrove but under the careful and systematic approach from Mr Dawson as coach they are very much looking forward to their three game group challenge.

They face Bangor Grammar, at the Academy in their opening game at 3pm on Wednesday October 24. Then on the Thursday they face Munster school Bandon Grammar in an 11am start at CCB and finally the heavily fancied Sutton Park School at 3.30pm on Thursday at the Lisnagarvey Comber Road venue.

The First X1 played some spirited and tidy hockey against a strong CCB side on their home patch and came away 3-2 winners in the McCullough Cup last Saturday. They will now prepare for their next test away from home against Methodist College Belfast again in the McCullough Cup.

The team is backed by local sponsors The Belmont Hotel and NFU Mutual, Banbridge.

In other results from Saturday the U14s continue their development with a 4-0 win over CCB, the U15s went one better with a 5-0 win whilst the U13s went down 1-0 and the 2ndX1 returned home frustrated with a 1-1 score line.

Further reports and details of Saturday arrangements can be found on our school hockey blog.