BURNEY CUP PREVIEW: Academy out to school Sullivan

Banbridge Academy's Andrew Bennington says his side are 'buzzing' ahead of the Burney Cup final. Pic: Rowland White / Presseye

The boys will take on Sullivan Upper in the Comber Road final (pass-back 2.30pm) looking for their 14th victory in the competition.

In order to do that, they will also have to settle an old score in the process. Sullivan overcame the locals at the start of the school year and Academy skipper Andrew Bennington is keen to prove they can beat the Hollywood side.

“We were hammered earlier in the season but we’re not really worried about that,” he said. “We have improved throughout the season and over the past while we have been getting better game on game. We have a good chance.

“We’ve only been beaten twice this season, by Sullivan and by Wallace. We obviously put Wallace out of the Burney Cup so it would be nice to do the same to Sullivan and know that we have beaten every team we have faced this season.”

Opponents Sullivan look like being without star man and Ireland Under 18 international Callum Robson.

However, Bennington knows his opposite number Matthew Crookshanks and forward John Matchett, who bagged a hat-trick to secure McCullough Cup success for his side in December, will be hard to silence.

He said: “We will have to keep an eye on them but we have a lot of players that they need to watch as well. It was great that Kyle (Marshall) stepped up in the semi-final with Jake (Rowe) missing. That will give them something extra to think about.”

Bann will welcome back star man Rowe and will have a full panel to choose from. They will also be backed by a big, and Bennington hopes loud, crowd.

“Everyone’s really looking forward to it. We’re buzzing,” he beamed, “People in our year have been making flags and someone has ordered a megaphone so there should be a great atmosphere and lots of support for us both from the school and from the town.

“For the four of us in Upper Sixth, it’s going to be a great match to go out on.”