Ashton grind out John Waring glory

Ashton brought a national schoolboys trophy home to Munster for the first time in seven years after recording a shock success at the John Waring (U14) Super Sixes competition in Lisnagarvey HC yesterday.

The brilliant victory sees the cup come to Cork for the first time, while the last time Irish schoolboys silverware of any sort resided in Munster was in 2005 when Bandon Grammar claimed the senior title, with Ashton’s victory in that tournament in 2000 the last time the school won a national competition. Under the tutelage of David Hobbs and Eddie Kirwan, a hard-working side belied pre-tournament suggestions they were ranked fifth of the six sides by grinding out a number of memorable results. Following two 0-0 stalemates with Leinster’s Sutton Park and national senior champions Banbridge Academy, Ashton saw off local rivals Bandon Grammar 2-0 thanks to a Simon Dring drag-flick and Ross Welch’s penalty stroke. They were then relatively comfortable 2-1 winners over Belfast side Methody, with Gavin Brooks and Graham Daunt – younger brother of Munster U18’s Peter – netting the goals as they went two up before a late Methody fightback. That left Ashton, who also had superb performers in captain Harry Whitaker and Brian Stockil, needing to defeat Wesley in the final game to take overall honours, and another strike from forward Brooks  proved the sole divider in a 1-0 victory. John Waring (U14) Super Sixes: Ashton 0 Banbridge 0; Ashton 0 Sutton Park 0; Ashton 2 (Simon Dring, Ross Welch) Bandon GS 0; Ashton 2 (Gavin Brooks, Graham Daunt) Methody 1; Ashton 1 (Gavin Brooks) Wesley 0.