Banbridge Academy Junior Girls Hockey Team

June Smith All Ireland Schoolgirls’ Championship

18th April 2024

Banbridge Academy Junior Girls Hockey Team have had a season not to forget. As the 2023-24 season progressed the team has made a sure and steady line through to winning the Ulster Schools Junior Cup in March in a tight Final against Strathearn Grammar School. Winning this has meant they are now to represent Ulster Schools in the Junior All Ireland Championship called the June Smith Trophy. In a one day tournament they will face the respective winners of all the Irish provincial Junior Cups that include host school Ursuline college (Munster), Salerno (Connaught), Muckross (Leinster) and Kilkenny College (South East). It will be played in a league format on Thursday 18th April with the team with the most points to bring home the June Smith Trophy and claim the All Ireland Junior Champions title.

This is the second year running that the local girls have been involved in this competition and having narrowly missed out on first place last year, the girls are keen to rectify this and bring home the June Smith Trophy.

The team has been very fortunate to have been sponsored by local companies, NI Precision and Ross Thompson Ltd. Donaghys, Banbridge have had an essential role in getting the team kitted out for the tournament. Along with the relentless support of the school and family; Banbridge Academy Junior Girls know they could not be in a better position to reach for the title and hopefully bring the silverware home.