Author: Bob Given
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International Tennis Federation J60 Belfast Tournament Semi Finals
Wind and light rain made for challenging conditions for the Semi Finals of the ITF J60 Belfast Tournament at Winsor Tennis Club on Thursday morning. Girls Semi Finals For the 3rd consecutive day Number One Seed, Elizabeth Evans, survived a 3 setter, seeing off Tia Bonita Jakupovic-Kljako 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 in a tight match. Elizabeth Evan…
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International Tennis Federation J60 Belfast Tournament Quarter Finals
On Wednesday the 8 Quarter Final Matches were settled in the ITF J60 Belfast Tournament at Windsor Tennis Club. GIRLS RESULTS Quarter Finals The Girls Quarter Final Results can be viewed in the PDF below. 2024-06-26-Girls-ResultsDownload Tia Bonita Jakupovic-Kljako defeated Gloria Lewinsky in 3 sets Number one seed Elizabeth Evans progressed to the semi finals…
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International Tennis Federation J60 Belfast Tournament Round 2
Tuesday saw the 16 matches, in the Girls and Boys Sections, of Round 2, at the ITF J60 Belfast Tournament. The quarter finalists are now known. Girls Results Round 2 The Girls Day 2 Match Results can be viewed in the PDF below. Number 1 Seed Elizabeth Evans (GBR) progressed to the quarter finals after…
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International Tennis Federation J60 Belfast Round One
Monday saw all 32 matches completed, in the Girls and Boys Sections, at the ITF J60 Belfast Tournament, at Windsor Tennis Club. It was a long day! We took in the morning games. Girls Results Round 1 The Girls Day 1 Match Results can be viewed in the PDF below. Two seeded players were knocked…
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International Tennis Federation J60 Belfast Qualifying
Saturday and Sunday saw qualifying for the International Tennis Federation J60 Belfast Tournament, once again hosted by Windsor Tennis Club. We took in early Saturday’s Qualifying games. Girls Qualifying GSQDBELFASTDownload In the girls qualifying Abby Kelliher (GBR), Aahana Attavar (IND), Awen Gwilym-Davies (GBR) and Laura Carvalho E Silva Kracke (GER) progressed to the full tournament.…
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Representative Friendly: A MCC XI defeated a NCU XI by 7 runs
On Friday a NCU XI played a MCC XI in a 30 over game, the 2nd game of a 2 match friendly series at Stormont. MCC won the first game, a 40 over match, by 18 runs. We took in the MCC innings in which they made 223 for 8. The NCU XI fell agonisingly short…
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FotoArtReus: Fotosport 2004
This June, FotoArtReus held its biennial Fotosport Photographic Salon, under the patronage of Federation Internationale de l’Art Photographique (FIAP). Judged in 4 categories, Colour, Monochrome, Women in Sport and Children in Sport, it attracted 1,432 entries from 30 countries worldwide, including images from 3 Front Row Sports photographers. Anne Given had 9 of her 16…
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U21 Pathway Series: Ireland II 2 Scotland 1
Friday saw Day 2 of the EMTEK Pathway Series. Second game, in the double header, saw Ireland ‘II’ take on Scotland. As in the first game Ireland were dominant from the first whistle. Playing a fast attacking game Scotland were forced to defend waves of attacks, only rarely putting pressure on the Irish keeper. Greg…
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U21 Pathway Series: Ireland I 1 Wales 0
Friday saw Day 2 of the EMTEK Pathway Series. First up, in the double header, Ireland ‘I’ took on Wales. The Welsh keeper tips over one of the many Irish chances Ireland took control from push back, pinning Wales back and starving the Welsh midfield and forwards of ball. The fast paced Irish attack created…
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Tag Rugby: Ulster Tag at Deramore Park
On a cold overcast Thursday evening, we took in games between Tag Heures and Sheeptaggers and Avenge and Stranmillis Stingrays. Tag Heures 5 Sheeptaggers 18 The Sheeptaggers dominated the game limiting Tag Heures to a handful of scores. Avenge 15 Stranmillis Stingrays 13 Avenge toppled the unbeaten Stranmillis Stingrays 15-13 in a tight contest, overturning…
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Representative Friendly: Ulster ‘A’ 29 Ireland U20 47
As preparation for the Under 20 Rugby World Championship in South Africa, Ireland U20s faced an Ulster ‘A’ side at the Kingspan Stadium, on Saturday lunchtime. Ireland U20s brought an enlarged squad of 30 players and ensured that everyone got game time in hot, sunny Belfast. The first 20 minutes was a cat and mouse…
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Tag Rugby: Ulster Tag at Deramore Park
Summer Tag Rugby continues Tuesday and Thursday evenings, at Deramore Park, home of Belfast Harlequins RFC. On Thursday evening we looked in on the games between Avenge and TAKA on Pitch 4 and Tag My Pitch Up and Hawaii Tag O on Pitch 5. Avenge 12 TAKA 15 Hawaii Tag O 14 Tag My Pitch…
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United Rugby Championship: Ulster 23 Leinster 21
On Saturday evening, before a sellout crowd at Kingspan Stadium, Ulster faced arch-rivals Leinster in a crucial United Rugby Championship game. Earlier game results meant that it was a must win game for Ulster to maintain a top 8 spot for the play offs and a top 7 spot for European Champions Cup, next season.…
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Representative Friendly: Ulster Development 108 New England Independents 10
On Thursday afternoon, Boston based, New England Independents were the visitors to the Kingspan Stadium to face Ulster Development. New England Independents are the academy side of the Major League Rugby franchise, New England Freejacks. To give the enlarged squads game time the match was played over 3 x 30 minute periods. Conor McKee scores…
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Tag Rugby: Ulster Tag at Deramore Park
Summer Tag Rugby is now underway, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, at Deramore Park, home of Belfast Harlequins RFC. We took the opportunity to look in on one of our featured clubs, Queen’s University RFC but we’ll pick up more teams in the coming weeks. Newforge Taggers 10 QUBeginners 22 QUB Taggers 18 Space Cadets 5
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Junior Interprovincial: Ulster 34 Leinster 22
Neilsbrook Park, home of Randalstown RFC, was the venue for the Junior Interprovincial Championship decider, between Ulster Juniors and Leinster Juniors. Ulster, with 2 wins from 2, and a maximum of 10 points faced Leinster with 1 win from 2 and 7 points, on a hot, sunny, spring afternoon. Eddie Keys opened the scoring for…
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Kirk Cup: Banbridge 0 Lisnagarvey 2 Final
Lisnagarvey HC was the venue for the Kirk Final between Banbridge and Lisnagarvey on Tuesday evening. Having contested 2 finals in the past few days, both coaches rotated their squads. For many players and spectators this game was very much a case of ‘déjà vu’ all over again! The Denman Ulster Shield Final and Presentations…
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Ulster Shield: Pegasus 2 Ulster Elks 1 Final
Lisnagarvey HC was the venue for the Denman Ulster Shield Final between Pegasus and Ulster University Elks on Tuesday evening. Because of injuries and other commitments both sides rotated their squads. Pegasus took control from push back creating several chances, while Elks were pinned back in their own half. Elks keeper Gemma Ferguson was in…
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Senior Cup: Instonians 36 Queens 26 AET Final
On Saturday afternoon Instonians met Queens in the Senior Cup Final at Kingspan Stadium. Coincidently it marked the 100th anniversary of the first final, played at Ravenhill, in 1924, between Queens University FC and Instonians RFC. It was grey, overcast and a steady drizzle fell. The gloom was alleviated by the floodlights. Queens got on the…
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U15 Girls Development: Pegasus 1 Raphoe 2 AR Final 1
On Sunday morning, following on from the Girls Development 2 Final, was the Girls Development 1 Final between Pegasus and Raphoe, at Stormont. Pegasus defence on top The game was scoreless at the end of normal time. This might suggest a boring stalemate but it anything but that. Both sides contributed to a very skilful,…
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U15 Girls Development: Owls 0 Pegasus 4 Final 2
It was an early start on Sunday morning for the Girls Development 2 Final, between Owls and Pegasus, at Stormont. Neither side could gain control in the 1st quarter. Play was largely confined to a congested midfield. It was no surprise that the 1st quarter was scoreless. Pegasus began to show dominance in the 2nd quarter, creating chances.…
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Junior Cup: Enniskillen 27 Malone 8 Women’s Final
Late Saturday afternoon, when the international had cleared, Enniskillen met Malone in the Women’s Junior Cup Final at Kingspan Stadium. Sophie Meeke dots down for Enniskillen’s opening score Malone took control from kick of pinning Enniskillen back deep into their own half. Enniskillen broke up a Malone attack and fed the ball wide, on the…
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Women’s Six Nations: Ireland 15 Scotland 12
On Saturday afternoon, Ireland played Scotland in a Women’s 6 Nations fixture, at the Kingspan Stadium. With Wales, having beaten Italy, in Cardiff, an Ireland victory would confirm automatic World Cup qualification. It did not start auspiciously. From a lineout maul Scotland drove the Irish pack backwards for Elis Martin to claim the touchdown for…
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Junior 5 Cup: Armagh 2 PSNI II 1 Men’s Final
It was an early start, at Stormont, for the Men’s Junior 5 League Cup between Armagh and PSNI II. From push back PSNI took the game to Armagh, pinning them back, only allowing them very rare foray’s into the PSNI half. They created but couldn’t capitalise on the chances they made, and the 1st quarter ended…
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United Rugby Championship: Ulster 38 Benetton 34
On Friday evening 5th placed Benetton were the visitors to Kingspan Stadium to face 10th placed Ulster. Both sides needed to claim a win in their fight to finish in the top 8, in the United Rugby Championship, to qualify for the European Champions Cup next season. Ulster got off to a poor start conceding a Tomasso…
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Junior 1: Banbridge II 3 Lisnagarvey III 2
On Tuesday evening Lisnagarvey III were the visitors to Havelock Park to meet Banbridge II in a Men’s Junior League One fixture. Banbridge II had clinched the League Title, but Lisnagarvey needed a point against their local rivals to secure 3rd place, one spot behind their own 2nd XI. Josh Brownlee scored a brace of goals…
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Under 18 Girls Cup: Enniskillen 24 Carrick/Larne/Malone/Ophir 19 Final
On Sunday afternoon, Enniskillen faced a combined side from Carrick, Larne, Malone and Ophir in the Under 18 Girls Cup Final at Kingspan Stadium. On a perfect day for rugby, the sun shone and there was a gentle breeze. For over the 1st quarter of the game Enniskillen dominated the game. Despite CLMO not venturing out…
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Intermediate Cup: Limavady 1 South Antrim 4 Women’s Final
On Saturday, at Stormont, Limavady faced South Antrim in the Ladies Intermediate Cup Final. Stormont continued to be dry and sunny, though windy and as the sun got lower, there was a chill in the air. Joanne Orr claimed a hat trick of goals for South Antrim Limavady took the game to South Antrim in…
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Senior Cup: Coleraine 0 Dungannon 2 Women’s Final
On Saturday, at Stormont, Coleraine faced Dungannon in the Ladies Senior Cup Final. Stormont continued to be dry and sunny, though windy. Karen Elliott tucks her 2nd goal past the Coleraine keeper After a tentative start Dungannon took control with a brace of Karen Elliott goals on 13 and 14 minutes. Dungannon led 2-0 at…
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Junior 1 Cup: Banbridge II 1 Lisnagarvey II 4 Men’s Final
On Saturday, at Stormont, Banbridge IIs faced arch rivals Lisnagarvey II’s in the Men’s Junior 1 League Cup Final. For once Stormont was dry and sunny, though windy. Neither side controlled a very cagey 1st quarter. Garvey took the lead with an Andrew Forest strike, on 16 minutes, only to concede a goal to Ben Walker,…
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United Rugby Championship: Ulster 19 Cardiff 17
On Friday evening Cardiff were the visitors to the Kingspan Stadium for a United Rugby Championship fixture against 6th placed Ulster. Theo Cabango scores the 2nd of his 2 tries Both sides made early errors, but it was Cardiff who struck first when Theo Cabango when through a yawning gap in the Ulster defence to score.…
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All Ireland School Hockey: The June Smith Trophy 2024
On Thursday the June Smith All Ireland Trophy was hosted by Ursuline College, Thurles, Co Tipperary. Girls in the Under 14 Age Group from Banbridge Academy, Kilkenny College, Muckross Park, Salerno and Ursuline College participated. Evie Hobson scored Banbridge’s 1st goal of the tournament, against Salerno At the end of a long day Banbridge Academy, with…
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Club Hockey: Boys U11 Finals
On Sunday, during some appalling weather, Ulster Hockey held its Under 11 Boys Finals, at Stormont. The competition featured 24 clubs with over 250 players taking part. The clubs were divided into four groups with the top two from each group going into the Cup Quarter Finals and 3rd and 4th placed going into the…
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Qualifying Plate: Randalstown II 1 Ulster University Elks II 4 Women’s Final
On Saturday, at Stormont, in game three of a triple header on the ‘water based pitch’ Randalstown II met Ulster University Elks II in the final of the Qualifying Plate. Alex Heyburn gave Elks a 1st quarter lead From push back Elks took the game to Randalstown, denying them possession. Randalstown worked their way back…
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Junior 3 League Cup: Portrush II 1 Raphoe II 3 Men’s Final
On Saturday, at Stormont, in game two of a triple header on the ‘water based pitch’ Portrush II met Raphoe II in the final of the Men’s Junior 3 League Cup. It was nip and tuck in a scoreless 1st quarter. Midfield was congested as both teams tried to assert themselves. The game came alight in…
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McClements Cup: Lisnagarvey III 1 Northern Ireland Civil Service II 3 Final
On Saturday, at Stormont, in game one of a triple header on the ‘water based pitch’ Lisnagarvey II met Northern Ireland Civil Service II in the final of the McClements Cup. For almost the entire 1st half Lisnagarvey were in charge. They dominated territory and possession, creating numerous chances but failing to take any of them.…
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All Ireland Men: Annadale 4 Banbridge 4
On Sunday afternoon Annadale played Banbridge at The Dub, Upper Malone in an All Ireland League fixture. Having clinched the league championship the day before, Banbridge were content to give game time to their squad. The sun shone on a good crowd, though a stiff breeze kept the temperature down. I arrived a few minutes…
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Junior Shield: Limavady 26 Lurgan 19 Final
On Saturday afternoon game three of a triple header, at the Kingspan Stadium, saw Limavady take on Lurgan in the Junior Shield Final. Though still a strong wind, Storm Kathleen would not dominate the game as it had in the previous 2 games. Mercifully the rain still held off. Neither team could settle and for…
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Suzanne Fleming Cup: Banbridge 21 Clogher Valley 10 Final
On Saturday afternoon game two of a triple header, at the Kingspan Stadium, saw Clogher Valley take on Banbridge in the Suzanne Fleming Cup Final. With 40 to 45 mph winds, down a little from the first game, Storm Kathleen threatened to dominate the game, blowing diagonally from one corner to the other. Mercifully there…
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McCrea Cup: Grosvenor 19 Queens II 10 Final
On Saturday afternoon game one of a triple header, at the Kingspan Stadium, saw Grosvenor take on Queens II in the McCrea Cup Final. With 45 to 50 mph winds Storm Kathleen threatened to dominate the game, blowing diagonally from one corner to the other. Mercifully there was no rain. With the wind, ball handling…
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Towns Cup: Ballymena II 22 Enniskillen 38 Final
On Easter Monday the traditional Towns Cup Final was played, at the Kingspan Stadium between Ballymena II and Enniskillen. Sam Balfour opened the scoring for Enniskillen Enniskillen set the tone by attacking from deep, after 3 minutes. A quick transfer of the ball saw Sam Balfour cross for a 5-0 lead. George Foster added Enniskillen’s…
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Junior Cup: City of Derry 17 Dromore 30 Final
On Saturday, in game three of a triple header at the Kingspan Stadium, City of Derry faced Dromore in the Junior Cup final. A deceptively strong swirling wind, for the most part blew diagonally down the pitch. A large, very vocal crowd, not frightened to give the referee advice, greeted both teams, when they took…
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Gordon West Cup: Co Cavan 21 Lisburn 15 Final
On Saturday, in game two of a triple header at the Kingspan Stadium, Co Cavan faced Lisburn in the Gordon West Cup final. A deceptively strong swirling wind, for the most part blew diagonally down the pitch. A very vocal crowd added to the occasion. Ben Kirkwood opened the scoring for Lisburn Lisburn struck first.…
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Academy Cup: Ballynahinch 41 Portadown 27 Final
On Saturday, in game one of a triple header at the Kingspan Stadium, Ballynahinch faced Portadown in the Academy Cup. A deceptively strong swirling wind, for the most part blew diagonally down the pitch. John McQuitty opened the scoring for Portadown Portadown got off the mark quickly, in the 4th minute when John McQuitty, scored in…
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Girls Schools Cup: Assumption Grammar School 5 Enniskillen Royal Grammar School 48 Final
On Monday Assumption Grammar School met Enniskillen Royal Grammar School in the Girls’ Schools Cup Final, with a noon kick off at the Kingspan Stadium. The Girls’ Schools Cup Final is played in a 7-a-side format, over 4 x 7 minute quarters, between squads of 15 players. With overhead conditions varying between drizzle and light…
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U18 Provincial Cup: Banbridge 16 Coleraine 15 Final
On Saturday, in game three of a triple header of Youth Finals Banbridge played Coleraine in the U18 Provincial Cup. An even stronger swirling wind, coupled with strong sun, hail and rain made for challenging conditions. Adam McMullan opened the scoring for Coleraine Playing with the wind, Coleraine moved the ball wide to Adam McMullan,…
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U16 Provincial Cup: Bangor 7 Virginia 31 Final
On Saturday, in game two of a triple header of Youth Finals Bangor played Virginia in the U16 Provincial Cup. A strong swirling wind, coupled with strong sun, hail and rain made for challenging conditions. Playing into the wind, Virginia took the game to Bangor. After a series of strong drives, James Lennon crashed over…
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U14 Provincial Cup: Banbridge 24 Co Cavan 10 Final
On Saturday, in game one of a triple header of Youth Finals Banbridge played Cavan in the U14 Provincial Cup. A strong swirling wind, coupled with strong sun, hail and rain made for challenging conditions. Playing with the wind Cavan attempted to play the ball out of defence but met a strong tackling Banbridge defence.…
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Taylor Cup: Lurgan College 0 Markethill High School 1 Final
On Thursday afternoon, in a local derby, Lurgan College U16 met Markethill High School U16 in the final of the Taylor Cup, at Havelock Park, Banbridge. The drizzle, at push back, became fine rain, then light rain and finally heavy rain by fulltime, making it a thoroughly miserable afternoon for all concerned. Markethill settled immediately, trapping…
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Burney Plate: Grosvenor Grammar School 2 Methodist College 1 Final
On Tuesday afternoon, in the third game of a triple header at Havelock Park, Banbridge, Grosvenor Grammar School met Methodist College in the Burney Plate. Grosvenor immediately took control, with their midfield stifling Methody. While Grosvenor created chances, the Methody forward line was starved of ball and only managed very occasional visits to the Grosvenor…
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Dowdall Cup: Banbridge Academy 2nd XI 3 Wallace High School 2nd XI 4 AR Final
On Tuesday afternoon, in the second game of a triple header at Havelock Park, Banbridge, Banbridge Academy 2nd XI met Wallace High School 2nd XI in the Dowdall Cup. Banbridge forced Wallace back from push back controlling midfield, spraying passes around. Noel Lutton, 4th right, opened the scoring for Banbridge In the 8th minute Noel Lutton struck…
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Bannister Bowl: Cookstown High School U13 XI 6 Friends School U13 XI 3 AR Final
On Tuesday afternoon, in the first game of a triple header at Havelock Park, Banbridge Cookstown U13 XI met Friends School U13 XI in the Bannister Bowl. Noah Cuddy scored a brace of goals for Cookstown Cookstown took control early on, when Noah Cuddy converted a penalty corner, after 4 minutes for a 1-0 lead.…
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Schools Cup: Ballymena Academy 14 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 21 Final
On Monday afternoon, Ballymena Academy faced Royal Belfast Academical Institution in the Schools Cup Final at the Kingspan Stadium. A very large vocal crowd greeted the players, as they ran out for kick off. Playing into a stiff diagonal breeze, Ballymena were first to show in attack. As Ballymena moved the ball wide James Kerr…
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Six Nations: Ireland 17 Scotland 13
It was a change of pace on Saturday as we covered the deciding Six Nations Championship game between Ireland and Scotland, at the Aviva Stadium. At least one match point was required by Ireland to ensure they retained the Championship; Scotland also had plenty to play for as they were still in contention for a…
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Burney Cup: Banbridge Academy 1 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 2 Final
On Thursday evening Banbridge Academy met Royal Belfast Academical Institution in the final of the Burney Cup at Stormont. The earlier rain had now given way to short spells of light drizzle. This must be one of the best hockey matches, which I’ve covered all season. The pace was furious, end to end and stamina…
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Ferris Cup: Cookstown High School 2 Royal Belfast Academical Institution 1 Final
On Thursday evening Cookstown High School met Royal Belfast Academical Institution in the final of the Ferris Cup at Stormont. As I encountered flooding on the Outer ring, it occurred to me that the game might be postponed, such was the deluge. It was somehow apt that ‘Noah’ featured on one of the teams. In…
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Junior Shield: Clounagh Junior High School 2 Victoria College 1 Final
On Wednesday afternoon Clounagh Junior High School met Victoria College in the final of the Junior Shield at Stormont. Both teams took time to settle in a scoreless 1st quarter, though Victoria had most territory and possession. Alex Poole opened the scoring from close range The stalemate was broken after 19 minutes, when Alex Poole scored…
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McDowell Plate: Strathearn II 0 Wallace High School II 1 Final
On Wednesday late lunchtime, Strathearn 2nd XI met Wallace High School 2nd XI in the final of the McDowell Plate at Stormont. Wallace’s Beth Morrow scored the game’s solitary goal Neither team had really settled when Wallace captain Beth Morrow found space in the D to slot home her shot for a 1-0 lead, in 3 minutes.…
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Junior Cup: Banbridge Academy 3 Strathearn School 2 AR Final
On Tuesday afternoon Banbridge Academy faced Strathearn in the final of the Junior Cup at Stormont. Both teams took a scoreless 1st quarter to settle. Nerves played their part as passes went astray. Evie Hobson, centre, opened the scoring Banbridge took control in the 2nd quarter when Evie Hobson found space to fire home, in a crowded…
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McDowell Cup: Rainey Endowed II 1 Royal School Armagh II 0 Final
On Tuesday lunchtime Rainey Endowed School 2nd XI faced The Royal School Armagh 2nd XI in the final of the McDowell Cup at Stormont. Imogen Scott, centre, scored the game’s only goal Rainey took control early on, against a strangely lethargic Armagh team, who struggled to get out of their own half. Rainey created chances but it…