Moff’s on top for the Academy

This ends an unbelievable season for the Seniors who add the number one in Ulster tag to the Irish Schools number one title picked up in mid October. Congratulations from the school go to Mr Dawson and their first XI.

The game saw the biggest crowd in many years at the Burney final with many past pupils past staff and parents in fine form.

The Academy stormed into a two goal lead inside 15 minutes when captain Owen Magee smashed home from the top of the circle and vice captain Matthew Bell ripped home a drag flick from the Academy’s first set penalty corner.

The Lisburn stars hit back with a fine team goal to leave the half time score at 2-1.

Then midway into the second half they pulled it back to level when they slammed home a second phase corner.

The game had everything from a double sin bin to an overturned penalty stroke with less than two minutes remaining - but class is permanent and a fine penetrating run from Rory woods saw him slip it back to Joshua Moffett who took a touch before blasting home the winner on the reverse under the excellent Agnew in goal for Friends.

It seemed over but Friends epitomised everything good about the schoolboy game and won a corner on full time to set up a twitchy finish.

The drag from Cartmill was superbly saved by Anderson who made his final save for the Academy one of his best.

This was a hugely proud moment for the school - Ulster boys hockey champions and Ulster and Ireland’s leading schoolboy side for the second successive year.

Many thanks to all staff, pupils and parents for the huge levels of dedication support and patience in this years busy and historic season.

A special well done to the boys in Upper Sixth who include captain Owen Magee, Joshua Moffett , Matthew Bell, Michael Anderson , Peter Bennington, Michael Duggan and Andrew Bingham. They will look back with fond memories.

The school would like to thank this year’s senior sponsors, the Belmont Hotel, and to the loyal army of hockey supporters who made the final such a fantastic spectacle.

Well done to Mr Dawson with his coaching skills, Aaron Appleton with the goalkeepers and Simon Jess with the supporting role. All in all a fantastic team win for Academy sport.