Thursday, October 23 – Limerick: A crucial second day of the All-Ireland Schoolboys’ Championships unfolded across Limerick today as the Semi-Finalist for both the Herbie Sharman Trophy and Tasmanian Shield were confirmed.
In Pool A, St. Andrew’s maintained their momentum to complete a perfect pool stage and take top spot to secure their place in the Tasmanian Shield Final with wins over Campbell College and Banbridge securing them top spot. Newtown School secured second place to progress to the Herbie Sharman Semi-Finals. Having beaten Banbridge 2-1, the side managed to grab a point in their final game against Campbell which proved enough following Banbridge’s loss to St. Andrew’s.
In Pool B, Wesley College topped the pile with a flawless Pool Stage which saw them beat Sullivan before overcoming Royal Belfast Academical Institute in the decisive tie to secure a Tasmanian Shield Semi-Finals. RBAI did enough earlier in the day, however, when they beat Bandon to ensure their spot in the Herbie Sharman Semi-Finals.
In Pool C, High School made it three wins for three with a close 1-0 win over fellow Dublin side High School before dispatching hosts Villiers to complete their games. Friends’ recovered from their loss on the opening day to take second spot and progress to the Herbie Sharman Semi-Finals with two vital wins as they beat Villiers ad King’s Hospital to progress.
In Pool D, Wallace narrowly edged Ashton on goal difference to take top spot, with Ashton securing second. Just a single goal separated the sides after the two drew 1 – 1 in the final game of their pool stages, with Wallace’s 3 – 1 win over Newpark narrowly bettering Ashton’s 3 – 2 win.
The results see three Leinster Schools and one Ulster School battle it out for the top tier Tasmanian Shield, with St. Andrew’s, Wesley College, High School and Wallace topping their Pools, while Newtown and Ashton will represent Munster and RBAI and Friends’ will represent Ulster in the second tier Herbie Sharman Trophy.
The draw and locations for tomorrow’s Semi-Finals will be confirmed at tonight’s All-Ireland Schoolboys Championship Dinner.
Day 2 Results
Pool A
St. Andrew’s 2 – 0 Campbell
Banbridge Academy 1 – 2 Newtown
Banbridge Academy 0 – 3 St. Andrew’s
Newtown 2 – 2 Campbell
Pool B
RBAI 8 – 1 Bandon Grammar
Wesley College 4 – 0 Sullivan Upper
Bandon 3 – 2 Sullivan Upper
RBAI 0 – 2 Wesley College
Pool C
King’s Hospital 0 – 1 High School
Friends’ 3 – 1 Villiers
Villiers 0 – 7 High School
Friends’ 3 – 2 King’s Hospital
Pool D
Cookstown 0 – 1 Ashton
Wallace 3 – 1 Newpark
Wallace 1 – 1 Ashton
Newpark Comprehensive 3 – 3 Cookstown