Bennington beams after first trophy triumph

The Banbridge Academy skipper beamed from ear to ear as he hoisted the trophy aloft, watched on by the last man to do it in Academy colours - Owen Magee.

“It’s unbelievable, especially the way we did it, with a last minute penalty corner,” said Bennington.

“It was just crazy.

“We have a lot of grit and determination but I’m just delighted to get over the line and get the trophy.”

Bennington, an Upper Sixth student, was in the thick of the action from start to finish, superbly organising his defence to help stave off second half Wesley pressure.

He even blocked a Wesley short corner at one stage in the second period to help pave the way for such a spell-binding conclusion.

“It was crazy,” he said. “When the ball went in to go 2-2, it was just ‘oh no’ as we thought we were facing extra-time and penalties. We were all wrecked so didn’t want that but when Jake scored the winner, it was absolutely unbelievable.

“Things went blurry at that stage as some of the crowd came onto the pitch and we just went mental.

“Jake (Rowe)’s a quality player as he showed. He’s absolutely quality. What a guy.”

Now the skipper is hoping to ensure his first trophy as first team captain is not his last.