Wesley kings again as Munster schools falter

Wesley College claimed their second All-Ireland schoolboy hockey title of the season as Shane Madeley’s seventh minute goal proved the only goal against St Andrew’s, securing the John Waring “super-sixes” title.

He calmly rolled home from six yards after superb work from Alan White along the right base-line to add the Waring title to the enlarged All-Ireland title won back in November and a Leinster league title. They now go to The Hague at Easter to represent Ireland in the European school’s hockey championships. Munster’s two representatives, Bandon Grammar and Ashton, fell at the group stage in the competition held in Ballinteer yesterday. Drawn in the group of death, Ashton fell 2-1 to Ulster champions Banbridge in their opening fixture despite taking an early lead through William Johnston and ended with a 4-1 turnover at the hands of Wesley despite tying 1-1 at half-time, thanks to Wesley Brownlow. Andrew Scannell struck a goal in each game for Bandon Grammar, but they lost out 3-1 and 2-1 to St Andrew’s and Belfast’s Campbell College respectively. For the full set of Stephen Findlater’s picture from the tournament, click here. John Waring All-Ireland Schoolboy’s Championship Pool A Bandon 1 (A Scannell) St Andrew’s 3 (D Watkins, C Stephens, F Maher) Campbell College 0 St Andrew’s 0 Campbell College 2 (A Williamson, C Morrow) Bandon 1 (A Scannell) Standings: 1. St Andrew’s 3pts (+2) 2. Campbell 3pts (+1) 3. Bandon 0pts (-3) Pool B Banbridge Academy 2 (Phil Brown, H McShane) Ashton 1 (W Johnston) Wesley 4 (L Chadwick, P English, R Burke, C Motyer) Ashton 1 (W Brownlow) Wesley 2 (P English 2) Banbridge Academy 1 (Phil Brown) Standings: 1. Wesley 4pts (+4) 2. Banbridge 2pts (0) 3. Ashton 0pts (-4)

AGONY AND ECSTACY FOR ANGELA’S

It was a week of mixed emotions for the girl’s of St Angela’s, who lost out to Villiers in the Munster Senior B Schoolgirls Cup final, before bouncing back to claim the league title 48 hours later. The Patrick’s Hill school boast an experienced squad this term wit 17 of their 18-strong squad in sixth year, while the other player, Kate Harvey, is a Munster U16 representative. They faced down Villiers at Mount Mercy on Monday, knowing they had to contain the Limerick side’s obvious threat, Munster U21 starlet Katie Campbell. She made constant dangerous forays down the wings, and helped her side to a single-goal lead at the break, finishing emphatically with a straight hit from a corner. Villiers skipper Elaine Shehan and deputy Sarah Mooney were to the fore on the resumption, but they couldn’t prevent Angela’s hitting back when a short corner move was worker back to the push-out spot, and Fiona Nation was on hand to finish.

A controversial strike won the game for Villiers with six minutes remaining, as Campbell split the defence for Rachel Brickenden to smash home. Angela’s claimed the ball hit a foot in the build-up, but the goal stood to end a seven-year cup drought for Villiers. However, Angela’s – coached and managed by the UCC trio of Paidi Hartnett, Vicky O’Sullivan and Sarah Gray, with five other College members as assistants – made amends in emphatic style on Wednesday, defeating Ursulines on penalties on unfamiliar turf in Thurles, following a thrilling 3-3 draw after extra time. Having won there in the cup semi-final, Angela’s nonetheless held the tag of favourites, and they went ahead when Sarah Clune met Kate Humphreys’ cross to score. Ursulines hit back with goals either side of the break, but Kate Harvey equalised when she was fed by captain Maeve O’Callaghan, and converted a one-on-one. Two-all at the end of normal time, until Nation put Angela’s in front with a carbon copy of her cup final strike, only for Ursulines to again hit back. Ann Harvey had a goal disallowed in the second half of extra time for an earlier autopass foul, but Kate Harvey provded the side’s hero as she converted the vital sudden-death penalty stroke to claim a very satisfying victory. ST ANGELA’S: Sinead Freeman (GK), Maeve O’Callaghan (capt), Sarah Clune (v.capt), Louise Gregor, Fiona Nation, Jenny Logan-Lane, Rhea Tummon, Laura McCarthy, Emma Counihan, Claire Allen, Ciara Clarke, Jessica Higgenbottom, Kate Humphreys, Ann Harvey, Kate Harvey, Lucy Bradfield, Kate Fitgerald, Rhea Lewis. Coach: Paidi Hartnett, Vicky O’Sullivan Manager: Sarah Gray. VILLIERS: Katie Campbell, Niamh Danaher, Gema Ryan, Emma Walker, Annabel Ayres, Claire Casey, Stephanie Shine, Sarah Mooney (vice captain), Suzanne Roe, Kate Robson, Chloe Williamson,  Rebecca Cardy, Tanya Powell, Elisa Senger, Ruth Sheppard, Rachel Brickenden, Elaine Sheahan (capt), Shauna Greaney, Sarah Condren, Sarah Coffey. Coaches: Bev Gray and Nicola Sterritt.