Royal & Prior Comprehensive School

Hockey

In boys’ hockey, the 1st XI qualified for the Irish Schools Tournament (top 16 teams) in Belfast last October. This was the thirteenth time for the school to qualify in the past sixteen years. It was not an unlucky thirteenth time with the team acquitting themselves well, finishing second in their group, narrowly missing a semi-final place. Special thanks are due to Mr. Dunne, Andrew Corry, to parents of team members and the Parents’ Association for helping with the costs involved. In May, the boys U-18 six-a-side hockey tournament in Antrim was won by a school team for the third successive year. Last season, Alan Patterson was selected for the Ulster U-16 team, which won the interprovincial tournament in Banbridge. This season after beating Friends Lisburn 5-2, the boys 1st XI reached the semi-final of the McCullough Cup where they played the all-Ireland Champions Banbridge at Havelock Park, Belfast. The score was nil all at full time and the school team was unlucky to be beaten 1-0 in extra time. Victoria Wray and Kimberly Porter were selected for the North-West U-18 hockey squad. The U-14 boy’s hockey team reached the quarter final of the Ferris Cup losing out to the cup holders Banbridge. The U-15 boys also reached the quarter- final stage in the Richardson Cup and although they led 3-2 at one stage in the second half, were unlucky to be beaten 4-3 by Instonians. The U-14 girl’s hockey team won the North West League for the fifth consecutive year winning all of their matches during the season. First year girls played in two hockey tournaments, one hosted by the school and the other in Sligo and were runners-up in both.