Last-gasp Hobbs strike sends Ashton through on goal difference

A dramatic last-gasp goal that salvaged a 4-4 draw against Banbridge sent Ashton through to the semi-finals of the All-Ireland Schoolboys Championship in Limerick yesterday. Routine wins for both sides earlier in the tournament in Group D over Regent and High School had left the duo in a straight shoot-out for a place in the last four. Underage internationals Dan Hobbs and Stephen Dowds both grabbed a hat-trick of flicks, but the Cork man had the last word with the game’s final act. Their Munster counterparts Bandon Grammar also made heavy weather of progression, after a 1-1 draw with Wallace earlier in the day had left them needing to better their evening result. They duly responded by trouncing Raphoe 5-1, rendering Wallace’s 2-0 defeat of Sutton Park academic. In Group A, St Andrew’s won the battle of the tournament favourites, defeating last year’s champions Cookstown 3-2, meaning no Ulster side progressed to the semi-finals. Things were far more straightforward in Group B, where Wesley topped the group with maximum points after a 3-1 defeat of RBAI and an 8-0 thrashing of Midleton. The east Cork side ended their campaign on a positive note though, defeating Kilkeel 2-1 to avoid the wooden spoon. The Munster sides have been kept apart in the semi-final draw, with Ashton due to take on St Andrew’s – who, with a plethora of Irish U18 internationals in their ranks, will start as favourites, while Wesley will lock horns with Bandon Grammar. Group A: Cookstown 5 Kilkenny 0; St Andrew’s 8 Villiers 1; Cookstown 2 St Andrew’s 3; Villiers 0 Kilkenny 5 Placings (Goal difference): St Andrews 9pts (+12), Cookstown 6pts (+16), Kilkenny 3pts (-4), Villers 0pts (-24) Group B: Wesley 8 Midleton 0; Kilkeel 2 RBAI 5; Wesley 3 RBAI 1; Kilkeel 1 Midleton 2 Placings: Wesley 9pts (+14), RBAI 6pts (+3), Midleton 3pts (-9) Kilkeel 0pts (-8) Group C: Sutton Park 2 Raphoe 2; Wallace 1 Bandon 1; Sutton Park 0 Wallace 2; Raphoe 1 Bandon 5 Placings: Bandon 7pts (+7), Wallace 7pts (+3), Sutton Pk 1pt (-3), Raphoe 1pt (-5) Group D: Banbridge 5 Regent 0; Ashton 5 High School 0; Banbridge 4 Ashton 4; High School 2 Regent House 1 Placings: Ashton 7pts (+9), Banbridge 7pts (+8), High School 3pts (-7), Regent House 0pts (-10)