So close but so far for Friends

IT was a case of so close yet so far for Friends in the final of the Burney Cup at Lisnagarvey Hockey Club on Tuesday afternoon.

The Lisburn school battled back from two goals down to level the scores and force extra-time but despite all their pressure they were finally beaten by a strong Banbridge team.

Bann had a dream start, as they were two up after only six minutes.

Owen Magee’s strike in the third minute was followed by Matthew’s Bell’s drag flick.

But Friends, who were on the hunt for their 16th Burney Cup win were undeterred.

Just before half time, Haddyn Cartmill forced home through a goalmouth scramble to give his side a life-line going into the turn.

After the interval, the sides were evenly matched as they tried to pierce two superb defences but it was Friends who struck, when Robert Cummins was on the end of a switched short-corner routine and he smashed the ball home for the equaliser.

The Lisburn boys had clawed their way back into the game and Bann were now on the ropes.

Play was swinging from end to end, as both sides went in search of the winner.

And with only a minute remaining, when Friends were awarded a hotly disputed penalty stroke, it looked as though the cup was heading to Lisburn.

But after the two umpires consulted, the decision was reversed and a penalty corner was awarded instead.

Into extra time and up stepped Moffet, who had been a mere spectator for most of the game. He came on and grabbed the winning goal to complete only a Schools’ Cup double for the Academy, as they already have the All Ireland title in their trophy cabinet.

There was consolation for Friends when Haddyn Cartmill was named man of the match.

Banbridge Academy Squad: Michael Anderson (GK), P Bingham (GK), Michael Duggan, Peter Bennington, Matthew Bell (VC), Thomas Sturgeon, Johnny McKee, Peter Brown, Ben Cosgrove, Rory Woods, Owen Magee (C), Andrew Dickson, John McCague, Matthew Warnock, Andrew Bingham

Friends School Squad: Michael Agnew (GK), Martin Bothwell, Matthew Sullivan, Mark Fair, Jordan McCready, Chris Alexander (GK), Robert Cumins, Haddyn Cartmill, Matthew Getty, Ben Conn, Andrew Allen, Nathan Gamble, Mark Conn, Paul Tinsley, John Semple, Jack Henderson.