The current Prior Shield holders faced off against a strong Friends School Lisburn squad in the final of the Dowdall Cup at Havelock Park. After losing this final last season, many of the boys came into this game hungry for revenge. 11 players in our squad from Year 14, including captain Daniel McHugh returning from injury. It was all or nothing for the 2XI.

The first quarter began very even with plenty of chances for both teams. Vice Captain, Lewis Cousins was to have a busy afternoon dealing with aerial threats from FSL hit-outs which he cleaned up extremely effectively throughout the game. Banbridge tested the keeper a couple times but failed to be clinical in the circle. End of first quarter 0-0. 

The second quarter began with Banbridge really starting to take control moving the ball wide with pace and creating plenty of chances, one of them resulting in a short corner given to Bann. An almost perfect pull out from Simon Ferris resulted in Jake Rainer firing a drag flick into the side netting,keeper stood no chance, 1-0 Banbridge. From the restart Friends tried to advance the ball quickly but Tom Hamilton was alert to find Jake in space, who’s blistering pace caught the Friends’ defence off guard and Jake scored his second with a chip over the advancing keeper. 2-0 Banbridge. 

By the third quarter Bann were in full control with centre back partnership of Lewis Cousins and Josh Moles dealing with any Friends attack with ease. Some great play from Thomas Cunningham and Conor Doyle resulted in Simon Ferris finding himself with space in the D to sweep a reverse around the keeper into an open net. 3-0 Banbridge.

The fourth quarter saw the introduction of a fan favourite, Adam Trimble, who calmly slotted into the left back role and neatly cleaned up any threats that came his direction. With 4 minutes left on the clock, Jake Rainer was still hungry for his hat-trick and drove from just inside the halfway line at an extremely tired FSL defence and slotted a reverse into the bottom corner. 4-0. We finished with 11 leavers on the pitch, in what was a great way for the boys to end their school hockey careers after 7 years. With Daniel McHugh and Lewis Cousins lifting the Dowdall Cup it signified the end of an historical unbeaten season for Banbridge Academy 2XI.