Wednesday, October 22 – Limerick: The jewel in the crown of the schoolboy hockey calendar got underway today, with the prestigious tournament returning to Limerick for the first time in almost two decades as Villiers School welcomed sides from across the country. All 16 sides played their opening games of the competition in the pool stages, with reigning Tasmanian Shield holders Banbridge Academy and Herbie Sharman Trophy holders St Andrew’s College both picking up wins to start their campaigns.
In Pool A, Banbridge Academy dug deep to beat fellow Ulster School Campbell College in a tight encounter. Goals from Sam Mills and Daniel McKee were enough to see the reigning champions edge Campbell 2-1, with Jamie Lunn netting for Campbell. Elsewhere in the pool, just a single goal in the second half separated St Andrew’s from Newtown in a tense affair, Toby Slye-O’Connell providing the goal that made the difference in St Andrew’s favour.
In Pool B, Wesley College made no mistake in dispatching a spirited Bandon Grammar side. A brace each for Johnny Woods and Jake Fulton, plus goals from Sam Rothwell and Rory Jones got Wesley’s campaign underway. Over in Villiers, Royal Belfast Academical Institution edged fellow Ulster side Sullivan Upper to begin their bid for All-Ireland glory with Matthew McAreavey’s pinpoint reverse strike into the top corner the difference-maker.
In Pool C, King’s Hospital overcame hosts Villiers in a more evenly contested clash than the scoreline may have let on. King’s Hospital proved the more effective side in the attacking zones, with a Benson Crowe brace and goals from Ronan Kelly and Frankie Mallon giving them a 4-0 win. High School made it two winsfrom two for Leinster sides in Pool C. Karac Tipping scored in the second half for High School to secure all three points.
Finally, in Pool D, Ashton edged Newpark Comprehensive in a five-goal thriller. Having been locked at 1 – 1 at half-time, Ashton did just enough to grab the 3-2. Billy Smith, Daniel Bywater and Charlie Bateman got the goals for the winners, while Josh Carroll and David Rankin found the net for Newpark. And Wallace came out on top of an exceptionally close clash with Ulster rivals Cookstown High School in the final game of the day in Ursuline Thurles.
Day 1 Results
Pool A
Campbell College 0 – 1 Banbridge Academy
St. Andrew’s 1 – 0 Newtown School
Pool B
Wesley College 6 – 0 Bandon Grammar
Sullivan Upper 0 – 1 RBAI
Pool C
Villiers School 0 – 4 The High School
The High School 1 – 0 Friends’
Pool D
Ashton Comprehensive 3 – 2 Newpark Comprehensive
Cookstown 0 – 1 Wallace