Brave Hearts required away to rivals Wallace!

The Sinton’s at the Bridge sponsored Banbridge Academy Boys’ Hockey Senior 1^st XI will be hoping for a huge local support as they take to the road for the second round of the Ulster Schools’ Burney Cup.  The Banbridge boys have been drawn away to Wallace High for the second time in three years and it’s a tie that really could go either way.

Head coach Simon Jess will know the qualities of the Lisburn outfit, having already lost to them on their home patch back in early September 4-1. Since then though the 1^st XI have gone under a complete rebuild with Jess working tirelessly alongside John Clarke in moulding a team full of emerging talent and one that has already succeeded with this seasons goal of qualification for the 2018 Irish Schools Finals, by way of earning a McCullough Cup semi-final spot.  The locals know that Wallace will pose a real challenge and as they simply must win in many people’s eyes the Banbridge squad will be hoping for a full quota of players as they have been thwarted in recent times with the loss of Charlie Norris since early October but are boosted by Mark Barlow, Luke McConnell and Callum Gibson all making a late dash for full fitness.  From the Wallace point of view, they will be earmarking this game as one of vital importance as they are yet to make a semi-final with a side that was tipped as one of their finest with the addition of the Chamber brothers who joined from Cookstown High in the close season.

Coach Jess added, “We are all looking forward to what we know will be a real test against a talented side. They play fast attacking hockey and their direct approach means we cannot afford to take a break at any point in the game.

The squad has worked hard to adopt a style of hockey that is hoped to bring out our the best in the whole squad. Huge progression has been made individually and as a team and they still haven’t reached their peak.  With players returning from injury, there will be fierce competition and at this point places are very much up for grabs which makes preparations even more poignant.”

The Academy will be relying on the likes of Luke Rolleston in goal to keep the Chambers drag out at one end whilst Eddie Rowe, Ryan Sims and Joel Reid will be looking to capitalise on any sniffs at goal or set piece opportunities. The tactics will be an interesting factor but Jess will be focusing on how well basics are progressing and, more importantly, how well the Academy can play over the full game, building on what was a very close run thing against McCullough Cup winner’s Sullivan Upper just before the festive break.  That game was there for the taking and with significant energy and threat from Mark McCullough and Joel Reid the Academy will be hoping for a solid defensive platform to allow outlet ball to stick to what will be an extremely hungry forward line, with the emerging Curry, Campbell and Jordan all keen to make a sharp impact.

The preparations have gone well since the December draw and with sound shapes shown in the recent midweek defeat to Sullivan the locals will have a further two games in the run into the Burney Saturday fixture at Wallace’s own smurf turf facility. The festive rest was quickly burnt away with a sobering 1-1 draw away at Regent House, with chances being squandered when a more potent positional post position would have led to several goals – Ed Rowe pulling yet another drag flick home to level the scores.  They will face another stern test against Friends’ School with the schoolboys getting valuable growing experience against older, stronger opponents.

Alongside the regular squad, including Year 11 boys Edward Rowe, Chris, Curry, Mark Cowan and Lewis Groves, the seniors have bleed in Christian Fee and Jamie McArdle – both giving food for thought and dedicated performances. The improvement of the unit is the unifying factor and they will need the old heads to be fully on it – McCullough, Reid, Roleston and Norris hoping to make it to the next stage.  Indeed it’s the standout fixture as the other seeded sides avoided each other and it will allow a very interesting quarter-final to whichever side wins the dual.  The Academy will be requiring a solid basis stemming from defence and both Ryan Simms and Lewis Bingham have oodles of pace and skill to allow the likes of senior talents like Harry Lockhart and Mark Barlow to get away in attack and provide sets for Rowe to drag home and Campbell, Jordan and Reid to capitalise upon.

It’s all set up to be another classic encounter with two sides who believe in playing open flair-packed hockey. Coach Simon Jess sums it up, “I have no doubt that all in the Banbridge Academy 1^st XI squad will give everything they have in the build-up and fixture itself.  They will be leaving nothing behind.”

The squad would like to thank sponsors Sinton’s at the Bridge Scarva for their tremendous support this year again and hope to see as many past pupils, parents, staff and the wider Banbridge community at Wallace for the game. It passes back at 10am on Saturday 3^rd February at Wallace High School.

Squad selected from:

Luke Roleston / Ryan Simms / Callum Gibson / Jack Montgomery / Lewis Bingham / Mark Barlow / Luke McConnell / Harry Lockhart / Mark McCullough / Joel Reid / Philip Campbell / Scott Dale / Chris Curry / Edward Rowe / Mark Cowan / Charlie Norris / Lewis Groves / Alex Jordan

Dowdall run to kick off 2018 in style for Dale’s unit

The Banbridge Academy Boys’ Hockey 2^nd X1 will be taking the opportunity to build upon their success in reaching the Prior Shield quarter-final when they travel to the winners of RBAI and Sullivan in the second round of the Ulster Schools, Dowdall Cup.  The second string began with an opening defeat to Lurgan College 1^st XI in the first friendly of the season back in September but have made excellent strides forward.  Indeed a matter of weeks later they overturned the same side before sharing a 1-1 with FSL, drawing against Portadown College 1^st XI 0-0 at Edenvilla before eventually going down 3-2 to a strong Wallace side in the knockout rounds.

They will be hoping that Matthew Anderson and Josh McAdam return to full form and fitness. The squad’s Captain is goalkeeper Scott Dale and he will need all his Irish U16 experience to keep a clean sheet and give Benjamin Logan, John Scott and the duo of Jack Montgomery and Megaw the chance to attack. The workhouse of Anderson and McAdam will be supported with Ross Scott and Oren Shimmons setting upon what could be a sound run in the competition.

Again preparations are well underway with the locals hosting a polished Regent House side last Saturday and whilst the local lost the game 1-0 there were more positives to takeaway than negatives. There have also been some fine hockey comebacks with the return of Samuel Megaw, Eli Baxter and Jonathan Cartmill being a real positive as all three have done exceptionally well and have another year left in school – strengthening the unit for future campaigns.

The Second string, again backed by Sinton’s at the Bridge, is looking forward to the challenge and knows they must be at their best to progress.

For information about Banbridge Academy Boys’ Hockey and details of all fixtures, make sure and follow @BAboyshockey Twitter feed.