The 2016 Subway All-Ireland Schoolboys Championships were
held in Dublin from the 26th to the 28th 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.
