Group of death awaits hosts Villiers at Irish Schools
Hosts Villiers have been drawn in the group of death in this year’s All-Ireland Schools tournament, which will take place at the Limerick school from October 22-24.
They will face off in Group A against defending champions Cookstown High, who boast four Ireland U18 internationals in their side and are likely to be skippered by full international David Ames, and Leinster powerhouses St Andrews, who provided five players to that squad, including IHA Young Player of the Year Stuart Loughrey. The group is completed by dark horses Kilkenny College.
Cookstown High's David Ames lifts the trophy last year.
Elsewhere, Bandon Grammar will fancy their chances of emerging from Group C, where they have avoided the big guns from Leinster and Ulster. Nonetheless, Dublin outfit Sutton Park and Ulster’s Royal and Prior will be no pushovers, and they will be wary of underdogs Wallace High, who have Lisnagarvey’s Ireland U18 international Peter MacDonnell in their side.
The 2005 champions have however lost a number of key players, with Patrick Shanahan, Alastair Smith and Clinton Sweetnam among those who have moved on, but they will be keen to eradicate the memory of last season’s heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Cookstown, where they shipped four second-half goals having led 3-0 at the break.
In Group B, Ashton’s main opposition is likely to come from last year’s beaten finalists Banbridge Academy, with developing schools Regent and High School making up the numbers. The city school will once again be heavily reliant on the drag-flicking ability of Ireland U18 marksman Dan Hobbs if they are to add to their two titles.
Munster’s representatives in Group D are yet to be finalised, with Newtown School and Midleton College set to fight it out for the final berth. Whoever makes it won’t have an easy time of things, with 2004 winner RBAI and Leinster champions Wesley, as well as Ulster’s Kilkeel, awaiting them.
All-Ireland Schools (Villiers School, Limerick, October 22-24)Group A: Cookstown, Villiers, St Andrews, Kilkenny.
Group B: Banbridge, Regent, Ashton, High School.
Group C: Royal and Prior, Wallace, Sutton Park, Bandon Grammar
Group D: RBAI, Kilkeel, Wesley, Midleton/Newtown
Post Author:
alangood
8 Replies to “Group of death awaits hosts Villiers at Irish Schools”
Ashtons group is an interesting one. Do they have the talent to get out of it?
Ashton are an average team. Have been awful the last few years. They will have to rely on Dan Hobbs from drag flicks but he will struggle if their is quick forwards from Bann etc.
does anybody know how are Villiers going to host this tournament? will they be using UL + LIT pitches etc? Its a shame that there won’t be any waterbase hockey for the tournament.
its a bit stupid having the schools in limerick even if it is to promote hockey.I don’t care what anyone says the final should be played on a waterbase.
cookstown will not walk the schools having watched cookstown vs bandon last year
i saw how good they were in attack but i also saw how bad there defense was andrews have a great chance if they put pressure on there defense.
Should be played in the home of hockey CI!!!
I think they’re going to use the crescent pitches and possible UL. Although it would be nice to have the final on a waterbased pitch I don’t see it as essential, I think it’s better for hockey in general to play in different areas and try to stimulate some interest. Especially in Limerick where hockey has been getting weaker over the last few years. No reason why crescent shouldn’t be playing boys hockey it’s an enormous school.
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Ashtons group is an interesting one. Do they have the talent to get out of it?
Ashton are an average team. Have been awful the last few years. They will have to rely on Dan Hobbs from drag flicks but he will struggle if their is quick forwards from Bann etc.
does anybody know how are Villiers going to host this tournament? will they be using UL + LIT pitches etc? Its a shame that there won’t be any waterbase hockey for the tournament.
its a bit stupid having the schools in limerick even if it is to promote hockey.I don’t care what anyone says the final should be played on a waterbase.
cookstown will not walk the schools having watched cookstown vs bandon last year
i saw how good they were in attack but i also saw how bad there defense was andrews have a great chance if they put pressure on there defense.
Should be played in the home of hockey CI!!!
I think they’re going to use the crescent pitches and possible UL. Although it would be nice to have the final on a waterbased pitch I don’t see it as essential, I think it’s better for hockey in general to play in different areas and try to stimulate some interest. Especially in Limerick where hockey has been getting weaker over the last few years. No reason why crescent shouldn’t be playing boys hockey it’s an enormous school.