VIDEO: Banbridge Academy are All Ireland Champions

Jake Rowe was Banbridge Academy's hat-trick hero to deliver the All Ireland Schoolboys trophy. Pic: Rowland White / Presseye

Having conceded an equaliser with barely 30 seconds on the clock, they raced up the pitch and won a short corner which was duly dispatched by Jake Rowe - his third of game - to seal the most exciting of 3-2 victories over Wesley College.

Rowe had netted two to give the Academy the lead after they went behind to an early goal and the Lower Sixth student was again on hand to deliver a winner with the last hit of the game.

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The boys set up the final showdown against Wesley College when they eased out Bandon 2-0 in Friday morning’s semi thanks to goals from Kyle Marshall and Charlie Norris.

Bann began the tournament with a routine 5-1 win over Royal and Prior as Nathan Liggett, Jake Rowe, Charlie Norris and Peter McKnight (x2) were on target.

After that came a thrilling 4-3 win over St Columba’s Mark Barlow firing in a winner on whistle after McKnight, Liggett and Marshall had also netted.

The group decider was against a fancied Mount Temple side but despite falling behind early on, Norris equalised before a Rowe double and a late Joel Reid goal sealed a 4-2 win.

With such a young team this year, coach Mark Cordner told the LEADER he was putting no pressure on his side but now they are the All Ireland champions.