Dublin, October 25: Dublin was alight with drama on the hockey pitch this week as 16 schoolboy teams took part in Ireland’s biggest schoolboys hockey competition, the All-Ireland Schoolboys Championship. After three incredibly competitive days of hockey, four teams emerged to fight for silverware in the Herbie Sharman Trophy and the All-Ireland Schoolboys Championship Final.
Herbie Sharman Trophy
In the first semi-final played at Newpark St.Andrew’s took on Midleton and Henry Thomas gave the Dubliners a 1-0 lead on 20 minutes with a goal from open play .Callum Keely added a second goal also from open play in the 36th minute to leave them 2-1 up. Midleton got what proved to be a consolation goal through an open play goal from Oscar Curtis on 46 minutes. In the second semi-final Wallace fell behind 0-1 when Paddy Brown’s 20th minute PC gave Sullivan Upper the lead.
M. Turner equalised for Wallace in the 32nd minute and the turnaround was completed by a 45th minute penalty corner converted by M Thompson put them into a final with St. Andrews.
The final was an exceptionally close affair. Neither side could break the deadlock in the first half, despite the exceptional attacking talent on display. St Andrews eventually opened the scoring in the third quarter, and doubled their lead not long after. Wallace were not to be discouraged, keen to fight until the final minutes, pulling a goal back to make the closing minutes exceptionally tense. St Andrews held firm to run out 2 – 1 victors and be crowned 2024 Herbie Sharman Winners.
All-Ireland Schoolboys Championship Final
The much sought after Tasmanian shield was on the line, an accolade being fought for for the 41st time this year since it’s inaugural tournament in 1982.
In the semi-finals Banbridge took on Wesley College on Friday morning at their place. Adam McKee gave Banbridge Academy the lead with a goal from open play in the 18th minute. Charlie Taylor added another goal from open play on 29 minutes to leave them 2-0 ahead. Conor Fox’s 31st minute converted penalty corner proved to be a consolation for Wesley College as Banbridge qualified for the final yet again. RBAI took on Friends in the other semi-final played at Grange Road . RBAI took the lead in the 11th minute when they were awarded a penalty stroke which John Cunningham converted to put them 1-0 ahead. Friends equalised through a converted penalty corner in the 19th minute from Tom Archbold. Jack Mulholland put Friends into the final with a 23rd minute field goal to seal the 2-1 win.
In the final itself the first two quarter produced no goals. Banbridge struck in the third quarter when Adam McKee scored from open play in the 31st minute to put Banbridge 1-0. There was no further scoring in quarter three and quarter four so Adam’s goal was enough to give perennial finalists the Tasmanian Shield All-Ireland School’s title for season 2024-25.
