All Ireland Schoolboys Championship October 2016

The 2016 Subway All-Ireland Schoolboys Championships were held in Dublin from the 26^th to the 28^th of October. This year the tournament was played out across thirty three matches, seven venues, and four groups. This event has long served as one of the highlights of the Irish hockey calendar and this year was no exception, ultimately exhibiting contests of the highest quality.

Having qualified through a challenging provincial play off competition, Villiers were subsequently drawn against Methody from Belfast, High School from Dublin and Banbridge Academy (also from the North) who happened to be the current title holders.

 A tense and thrilling first game against High School saw a dominant Villiers side go one nil up with a decisive goal mouth finish from Captain John Costello.  A physically assertive High School team were equally matched in all areas of the field. However, Villiers would lose out by a late goal against the run of play to finish 2 - 1. A courageous and disciplined performance would set the standard and send a message to other teams in the group.

As expected game two against the All Ireland Champions was played at a ferocious pace with Banbridge relentlessly attempting to break through the Villiers defense only to be repeatedly rejected by a superb team performance governed by Craig Morrow and Stephen Tutty. Fatigue would finally get the better of the red blockade that was the Villiers players and the advantage of experience would benefit Banbridge who eventually manufacture two late goals.

Having marginally missed out on getting an elusive win, Villiers took an assertive position against Methody with John Costello, Quinten Eacrett, and Jannis Von Maydell all hitting the target early on and James Hodkinson adding to the tally to ensure a memorable 4 -3 victory. All squad members should be proud of their efforts and take confidence that they can compete and perform with the best sides in the country.

Girls Hockey 2015-2016

All Junior teams had a great season with huge numbers attending training. The Junior C team were very competitive and came third in their league. The Junior B team narrowly missed out on winning their league and were runners up to Ursuline's, Thurles. The Junior A team had a superb season and made history making it to the Junior A cup final this year. We had four representatives on the Munster u.16 team-Taine Amodeo, Mariana Birdthistle, Lauren Ryan and Muireann Scanlon. Muireann Scanlon vice captained the squad at the interprovincials. Lauren Ryan received her first Irish cap this year – a tremendous achievement. The squad had a fabulous dinner together to celebrate the end of the season. The Senior Girls had a great season with record numbers attending training on a weekly basis. The season started on a high with a very successful trip to the Netherlands. On the girls return they went from strength to strength throughout the season. Our Senior C's were beaten in extra time in their cup and our Senior B team were runners up in both their league and cup competitions. Kathryn Buckley captained the Munster U. 18 team during the Interprovincial tournament last October. All of the coaches would like to wish all of the outgoing 6th year players all the best with future endeavours both on and off the hockey pitch. They were a great bunch of girls and will be greatly missed next season.

Boys Hockey Season 2015-2016

At the annual Munster Branch award ceremony in Cork, Villiers boys hockey were presented with the ‘Best Boys Hockey School Award’ for the 2015-6 season. What an achievement. We are all delighted and very proud of receiving this award for the very first time. Congratulations must firstly go to our coaching team who give of so much of their time to our students – George Blackwell, Declan O’Brien, Brian Gray and Alan Whisker. Secondly to the players themselves for putting in the hard work on the training pitch. We currently have a talented bunch at both senior and junior levels. We reached both the senior and junior A & B cup finals this season, winning both the junior A & B cups. It was our senior A’s third consecutive cup final and it was 17years since we last lifted the junior A cup. Our talent at the upper end of the school can be seen with our above average Munster provincial representation. Well done to one and all. Munster U16 Munster u18 Ireland u16 Ireland u18 Quentin Eacrett 1. Andrew Tutty 1. Conor Beck 1. Andrew Tutty Conor Beck 2. John Costelloe 2. Quentin Eacret Steven Tutty 3. Calum Morrow Craig Morrow Marcus Ryan Jannis Von Maydell Cup Results – Senior A final v Bandon 0-2 , Senior B v Bandon 0-3, Junior A v Newtown 3-2 ( scorers – Gerard Hodkinson, Jannis Von Maydell & Marcus Ryan) Junior B v Ashton 6-0 winners. While our long season has come to an historic end, we already look forward to next season and continued success!

Summer Sports Timetable 2015

             VILLIERS – SPORTS TIMETABLE

                           SUMMER 2015

VENUE	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
ASTRO	Boys Soccer (4-5).	Athletics (4-5).	Hockey  Boys & Girls  (4-5).	Tag Rugby    (4-5).	Boys Soccer (3.45-4.45).
HALL	Health & Fitness Circuits (4-5).	Conditioning  7.30am. Indoor Cricket (4-5).	Girls Basketball  (4-5).	Conditioning 7.30am. Boys Basketball (4-5).	N/A
RUGBY PITCH	Girls Soccer      (4-5).	Rugby Conditioning & Skills – (4-5).	Athletics (4-5).	Free	N/A

                   

 * Appropriate footwear to be worn on the astro-turf surface.

Senior Girls Hockey Cup Final

Well done to  the Senior Girls' Hockey Team who reached the Munster Final against St. Angelas Cork. Unfortunately we didn't bring home the cup this time and were defeated 2-1  in what was a very close game. Half time saw us level at 1-1 after a wonderful short corner strike from Meadhbh Scanlon and all to play for in the second half. St. Angelas however scored shortly after the start of the half and despite some very good attacking play we weren't able to narrow the gap.



Team captain Lisa Smyth thanked all the squad for their hard work and dedication throughout the year and had particular words of praise for the team coaches Ms. Peters and Ms. Ryan.

Senior Boys' Hockey

Boys Hockey

Congratulations to our Senior Boys' hockey squad who reached the Munster cup final last Wednesday against Ashton School, Cork. Unfortunately we were defeated 3-1 in a spirited performance and hard fought game. Half time saw us 2-1 down and still very much in the game. Luke Cardy being our scorer from a well  executed short corner.

This was our third final in as many seasons and we are hopeful of getting our hands on the cup next season – as we retain the majority of our squad. Plans are already at an advanced stage to travel to Holland pre-season for extra training in August. Many thanks to their coach, George Blackwell,  who has put in many extra hours training throughout the season and to all the parents and students who supported us on the day.     

Junior B Girls Hockey

Junior B squad who played their last game vs. Gaelcholaiste last Friday. Everyone had a superb game and went on to win the match comfortably. Orla Mulvihill, Grace Keely, Hazel Alfred, Sarah O'Connell and Mikayla Kearney were the goal scorers on the day. Well to done to Grace Keely who has been a superb captain throughout the year.

Senior Boys' Hockey

The Senior Boys have added a little excitement to the hockey world in Villiers, with a superb semi-final win over Midleton College to reach the Senior A cup final. The Cardy brothers, Luke and David, flew family and School flags as they scored both goals in the match. Preparations are now underway for the final and ambitions are high!

Equestrian Inter-schools Derby

Our senior and junior teams were unlucky to miss out on the top placings today at Ennis Showgrounds, where Limerick-Clare Inter-schools hosted their derby. Despite some superb riding, with fast times and clear rounds, we just could not match the blistering pace of the Ard Scoil Ris boys.

Girls' Senior B Hockey

Well done to the senior girls who progress to the semifinal of the Senior B Hockey Cup with a victory over Midleton College.

Teams were evenly matched until Lauren Hannon broke the deadlock with an excellent goal from a penalty stroke. This was followed by a goal from play by Amelia Conlon to ensure victory and a final score of 2 - 0.

Maeve Higgins, Lauren Ryan and Lucy Gardiner were
particularly strong in midfield.

Well done senior girls - roll on the semis!!!

Girls' Junior Bs

Congratulations to the Junior Bs who are keeping Cup hopes alive, after they beat Laurel Hill Colaiste in a very exciting game last week.

Teams were level after both full time and extra time, it is credit to the great goal keeping skills of Ana Keely and stroke taking skills of Mikayla Kearney, Orla Mulvihill and Grace Keeley, that they went on to win 3-1. Best of luck in the next round which will be after mid-term.

Girls' Junior A's Hockey

1. Well done to the Junior As who beat Ashton 3-1 in the league on Friday 16th January, with goals from Taine Amadeo and Lauren Ryan. The team also showed true spirit in the semi-final of the Cup on Wednesday of last week. They played a fantastic game against a very strong Crescent team, who went on to win 4-1. Mariana Birdthistle was outstanding in goals and Muireann Scanlon, Tara Finucane and Ciara Murphy-Wright had a particularly strong game. It was a huge achievement to get this far with such a young squad, so well done to all involved.

Villiers Equestrian

In December 2014 the Villiers Equestrian team competed at the Ennis Show-Grounds in the Limerick-Clare Interschools. We were delighted to introduce six new riders to our ever growing team; Katelyn Sweeney, Enya Conway, Rachel Mullins & Sarah McMahon from first year and
Melanie Leonard & Aislinn Patrick from fourth year. These new riders are very accomplished and performed well, despite it being quite a long day. 

Success came for Kelly Gleeson, who won the Individual Secondary School Competition with a stunningly, lively speed round. 

The junior team qualified for the Speed/Jump-off round but sadly did not progress from this. Meanwhile, the senior teams had some good rounds but were unsuccessful in qualifying for the Speed/Jump-off round. The new riders were joined by team stalwarts, Laura O’Connor,
Orla Shiel, Becky Davis and Kelly Gleeson. We were delighted that Laura and Becky took time out from their busy study schedule to participate and guide our new riders.