The second round of the Ulster Schools’ U13 Bannister Bowl saw the Academy young guns host Kilkeel High School. The game began with a very plucky Co Down rivalry but it took only a few minutes of quality passing from Joshua Moles to Ben Pollock allowing the pacey and skilful run to be rewarded with a fine opener, finished off by Morgan Murphy.

This Bannister squad has real depth and with the likes of Murray Corkin and Ben Farson sidelined with injury, the darting runs of Murphy and Tom Hamilton soon saw some rapid overlapping and Matthew McKee seemed too hot for Kilkeel to handle and he dished out a master class in circle finishing, grabbing goals galore. The Academy began to utilise the ball a great deal more and six goals in as many minutes killed the tie effectively with Pollock, Stevenson, McKee, Brownlee, and Cousins all hitting home.  The remainder of the first half saw the squad well rotated with the forked spine of Year 8 being effectively used – Ben Walker, Joshua Brownlee, Matthew Spence and Matthew Stevenson all showing positive signs of real talent closing their opponents down with tact and using the passing platforms with considerable joy.  The introduction of Denver Golby in goal all allowed another first with his talents in goal very much evident since his arrival from Edenderry PS – one to watch alongside Connor Part in the Academy goal.

The midfield of skipper Lewis Cousins and Thomas Cunningham dictated the rhythm and Lewis Cousins in particular spread the ball very well utilising Jake Rainer early in the second half as he bounced in and scored another trademark reverse strike high into the Kilkeel goal. The emphasis was now on keeping possession and better heads in the second half meant less of a blinkered forward approach and to their credit the Academy dealt a lesson to their counterparts.

The Kilkeel boys dug deep and some sound play saw them almost wriggle through but Simon Ferris and Tom Clarke both stood steadfast tackling well as Connor Part looked on. Some superb rapid counter allowed Moles to open his scoring for the season as he made the circle and finished well to make it 9-0 with minutes to spare but once again the Academy struck a finely taken goal making it 10 with no reply.

The locals now await the winners of FSL and Sullivan Upper in an eagerly awaited quarter final spot after half term. They have continued to train magnificently under Coaches Cordner, McCandless and Bell and will tweak a few things in order to give themselves the opportunity to test themselves against the best opponents in Ulster.

The boys would like to thank all the parents, grandparents and pupils who gave their time up to support Monday’s cup fixture – onwards!

Squad: C. Part / D. Golby / T. Hamilton / J.Moles / M. Murphy / L. Cousins (c) / T. Cunningham / J. Rainer / B. Pollock / M. Stevenson / J. Brownlee / B. Walker / M.Spence / M.Stevenson / T. Clarke / S. Ferris.

RAPHOE ROYALLY BEATEN IN FERRIS CUP BY ACADEMY HOCKEY BOYS

The Academy U14 boys’ hockey team, supported this season by KeyCare Ireland Ltd, entertained Royal and Prior School, Donegal in the second round of the Ulster Schools’ Ferris Cup. The game was staged at the Academy Astro and with an early start the boys enjoyed having support from pupils and parents alike – could they deliver?

The Raphoe school has for years proved a handful for all Ulster opposition with their never say die attitude and stealthy attacking set pieces. The gulf in ability though was apparent from the beginning as the southern visitors were reduced to sporadic piercing solo runs from midfield which were carefully marshalled by Jack McFarland and Kain Bingham.  These half chances left Raphoe bare and open, and Coach Agnew’s eye watering tactics allowed Cody Large an acre of space but he could only find the side board with a fierce reverse stick snap shot from the wide angle.

Several further opportunities fell to Louis Rowe and brother Charlie who linked with at times ridiculously skilful penetrating attacks – one such run being upended and awarded a set piece fifteen minutes in. The Academy have been working hard with set plays in recent times and Large made no mistake as he followed Agnew’s order to open the scoring with a powerful shot past the Donegal keeper, 1-0 Academy.

Some more flowing play from the Rowe duo set Ben Pollock on his way and his chinking run was rewarded by fine forward movement from Matthew McKee who laid it off for Louis Rowe to smash home number two on the stroke of half time.

Coach Agnew praised his squad for their Alderdice style play and hinted that attack must be quicker and more effective should the squad progress to the next stage in this prestigious competition. He was to be dealt the perfect echo as Large made it 3-0 with a well taken drag flick after the switch in injection. Some more scintillating forward movement from McKee set Charlie Rowe on a hazy run and he left the Raphoe boys in his wake chinking through and rounding the keeper to score an exquisite forth.

The squad was well rotated by Agnew and he used the cup opportunity to see appetite amongst the squad as he will be gearing up for a possible showdown with last year’s rivals Campbell College as they face Regent in what should be a tough encounter. All in all, a very effective managed game with the right result but Agnew will want more grit and pace in the attack – as was shown with a recent victory over FSL U15 side but consistency in the close down and taking opportunities as they arrive.

Once again the squad was superbly supported by the parents, grandparents and staff – our thanks as always for such a vocal and passionate foundation. The squad would also like to thank KeyCare Ireland for continued support.

Squad: James Finlay, Jack McFarland, Kian Bingham, Charlie Keery, Luke Watt, Charlie Rowe, Cameron McCombe, Louis Rowe, Cody Large, Thomas Urwin, Seb Best, Jordan Nummy, Nathan Reid, Josh Holden, Ben Pollock, Matthew McKee