The Belmont Hotel-sponsored Academy 1st XI will be playing in the Irish Schools Competition this week.  This year it is being held in Belfast with matches taking place at Shawsbridge, Deramore and Queens Sports Complex. The group matches are being played on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October 2015. The Academy have been drawn in a group with Donegal School Royal & Prior, Dublin contenders St Columbas High School and Mount Temple College from Co Cork. It’s a tough group for the youthful squad but a challenge they will enjoy. Coach Mark Cordner is looking forward to tournament-style hockey. “The team is really only beginning to gel and settle. We have had weeks rather than years with this group so my expectation for the tournament is that it will be a battle from game one. The Team has enjoyed a solid run in the McCullough Cup having seen off Cookstown- RBAI and Royal and Prior. Yet we have a very big ask with both Columbas and Mount Temple fielding German and Polish internationals. But we have talent in abundance too and what we miss in terms of experience is backed up by the quality and desire of the senior contingent who know success and how to earn it. The team, myself and assistant Coach John Clarke and Manager Colin Walker will savour the opportunity to glean experience for this squad and give the best possible effort at the tournament. ” Their matches are: Wednesday 21 October at QUB (Sand) with a 3pm start against Royal & Prior, Donegal. Thursday 22 October at Shaws Bridge(Water) with an 11.15am start v St Columbas, Dublin. And their final group game at QUB (Water) v Mount Temple, Cork at 3.30pm. All support is very welcome from staff, past pupils and parents.