Captain Dowds determined to lift Burney Cup

Dowds, who will be leading the team out for the first time today and who has played in the showpiece occasion on three occasions, is expecting a much tougher encounter than the last time the Lurgan Road school faced Campbell College.

“We played them in the All Irelands and beat them 7-3 but we watched them on Wednesday and they seem to have improved a lot,” said Stephen.

“They are a handy enough side and I wouldn’t underestimate them at all. They are definitely the surprise package of the tournament but I’m confident we can turn them over.

“That said we will have to treat them with the respect they deserve - they’re in the final because they have earned the right to be there.”

Dowds will be asking his team mates to give an improved performance after they floundered slightly in their semi final against Cookstown High.

“We got it very tight on Wednesday,” he admitted. “A lot tighter than we expected to be honest, but at least we got through.

“I don’t think we were up to scratch and I think we might have underestimated them a bit too. We can’t do that in the final because we might be punished for it.”

Stephen has been in exceptional form for Banbridge’s senior team and is just one of a number of Academy players who have broken through into the senior ranks this season under the stewardship of their coach, Mark Tumilty.

He added, “There’s Philip Brown who is always solid for us and who we can always rely on. The Kelly twins are special talents and Josh Moffett is just starting to break through for us now.

“I’ve been having a good season myself, I’ve won the Anderson Cup with Banbridge and the McCullough Cup with the school so I want to lift the Burney Cup and make it a hat trick.

“I’m looking forward to the final. It’s a big occasion for the players and for the whole school so it’s a huge honour to be leading the team.”