Hockey Update

Written by | Sport

18306.jpgLast week was another busy one for the boys’ hockey team in The Wallace High School with a combination of Cup and friendly matches.

On Monday the Under 13XI played Banbridge Academy in the second round of the Bannister Bowl. This game was played at Lisnagarvey Hockey Club. Wallace started well and were unlucky not to score within the first ten seconds. Glen Halliday, flashing a shot wide off the target. Unfortunately this was as good as it got for the young Lisburn lads as Banbridge gave them a lesson in fast, attacking hockey. Goalkeeper Angus Stewart deserves credit for continually denying the opponents but unfortunately he could not prevent a 0 -5 defeat.

This left the under 14XI team the only remaining Wallace hopefuls in this year’s Cup competitions. On Tuesday they played Newry High in the quarter finals of the Ferris Cup. Again this game was played on the excellent surface at Garvey although this time the result was thankfully somewhat different. The Under 14 team produced one of their finest displays to run out comfortable 10 – 0 winners. For the record Captain Peter Macdonnell scored five, whilst Year 9 pupil Matthew Murphy scored two. The remaining goals were scored by Alan Kennedy, Scott Kernaghan and Adam McCann, whilst Richard Arneill excelled at centre back. This victory now sets up a potentially exciting semi final against a strong Banbridge Academy side. If any team is likely to triumph however it is this well bonded Under 14 team.

Saturday saw three Wallace teams welcome Kilkeel High to Garvey. The Firsts started things off with an excellent 6- 4 victory over current Burney Cup semi finalists. This was an entertaining game which was end to end from start to finish. Rory McCann led the way for Wallace with four superbly taken goals whilst Chris Henry and Patrick Keery were the other scorers.

The Under 15XI also produced an accomplished performance to defeat their strong opponents 1 – 0. This was a good result for the team who were missing key players Daniel Buser and Peter Macdonnell due to injury. James Dowling scored the only goal for the Lisburn boys, unleashing an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net, whilst credit must go to Mark Hutchinson and his defenders for keeping a clean sheet.

The only defeat on Saturday was for the Under 13XI who were 2 – 0 up at half time. Matthew Murphy scored the opener with an excellent drag flick whilst newcomer Ashley Hunter slotted the second from a narrow angle following a fluid movement. The second half saw Kilkeel core early which seemed to shock Wallace, who hen went on to concede two further goals. This result really flattered the visitors who scored with their only opportunities.

There is still much to play for in the remainder of the season as Wallace aim to recapture the Blaris shield from old rivals Friends; .the Under 14XI also hope to reach the Ferris cup final although they realise their semi final tie against Banbridge Academy is a very tough assignment. Other interest centres on the race to be Wallace’s top goal scorer of 2005/ 2006. At the moment the race appears to be between Year 9 pupil Matthew Murphy and Year 10 pupils Peter Macdonnell and Stephen Hunter. With more games to play though it is still possible that the free scoring Rory McCann and James Dowling could pose a threat.

Last modified: October 16, 2007