Match report Boys U14 v Friends Tuesday 19 March 2015 Ferris Cup Semi Final Friends 2 v Sullivan 4 Sullivan U14’s travelled to friends on Thursday for their Ferris cup semi-final. We had done well to get this far coming through a tough draw with Banbridge in the first round who we dispatched 4-3 thanks to a hatrick from Matthew McRoberts who has since been sidelined ever since with a bad injury and the winner with the last touch from Matthew Willis. We then faced the tough task of an away trip to Cookstown but once we put the early nerves to rest we comfortably but nervously finished the match with a 4-1 victory with goals from Daniel Girvin, Paddy Crookshanks, Matthew Morris and Harry Morris seeing us into the semi-final. We now had the final in sight but first had to get past a good Friends side whom we had played twice already this season with both score lines a 2-1 win for home team in each instance. We started off on the back foot and seemed to be affected by the cup exits of the U15’s and U13’s earlier in the week both of which had players from our under 14 team playing on them. We conceded an early short corner which to their credit Friends dispatched well. This goal seemed to be our rallying call and we soon began to bombard the friends defence applying lots of pressure which would eventually lead to our first short corner of the match. We used our signature “NO. 3” short corner and it paid off with Matthew Morris’s shot being deflected across goal by Matthew Willis for the equaliser. We kept on applying pressure with Matthew Willis and Paddy Crookshanks having shots saved. We then went in for half time with the score locked at one a piece and after a team talk from Jason and Ozzy we lined out for the second half and immediately began to apply pressure to the Friends defence from as soon as the half started. The pressure soon payed off and Harry Morris  finished off a swift counter attack with a sublime reverse stick shot across the face of the goal. After this we lost Stefan to a sudden bout of illness and brought Isaac on at left back who to his credit did very well, soon after this we seemed to start to play within ourselves and Friends applied some pressure which rewarded them with their equaliser. This equaliser added the extra hunger needed to win the match. And our desire to win soon brought us a goal from Daniel Girvin which was brilliantly taken on the half volley by the U13 player who showed composure above his age to convert the difficult chance. Friends spurred on by this goal continued to attack with commitment but to no avail and we soon won a short corner after a well-worked counter attack which Harry Morris then converted after a rebound with a “scuffed” reverse stick shot into the top right corner. The final whistle then sounded and we ecstatically celebrated our success. A brilliant performance by all and a thoroughly deserved win. We just need to push on and win the final and bring the trophy back to Sullivan for the second year in a row. Thanks to all who supported us and to our coaches. Bring on Methody!!! Matthew Willis (Yr10)

Congratulations to Ross Hancock (Yr12) who has been selected for the Scottish U17s National Ice Hockey Team.  Ross recently met the Lord Mayor of Belfast. The following photographs show Ross playing for his team, the Belfast Giants U20s team.  Photographs are courtesy of Colin Nelis.

Congratulations to Sophie Nelson and Rosie Alexander (both Year 10) who represented Sullivan Upper in the NI Schools’ Gymnastics Competition on 8 March. The girls came a very commendable 5th place.

Year 8 puils recently enjoyed a visit from a SeaKing helicopter and crew.

On Saturday 14 March 2015, Rowel Friers (8W) won the Finals of the  EPTA UK National Piano Competition (G7) at the Conway Hall, London.  He was Performing Allemand  – J Bach, October Tchoikovsky, Sturdy Build Christopher Norton & Rumores de la Caleta.  There were approximately 300 competitors. Congratulations to Rowel on this achievement.

Congratulations to the Year 8 boys hockey team who won the Craigantlet Cup on Friday 13 March 2015, beating Bangor Grammar 2-1, Regent House 1-0 and Campbell College 5-0.

Ireland U18 Schools v Scotland & U18 European Championship Congratulations to the following pupils have been selected as part of the Ireland U18 Squad to play against Scotland on Saturday 21 March and the U18 European Championship in Toulouse from 24 March-5 April 2015: 1.       Peter Cooper (14B) 2.       Conor McEvoy (14E) IRELAND U18 SCHOOLS v SCOTLAND & U18 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

The 2A girls hockey squad who play Ballyclare High in the final of the McDowell cup on Monday 16 March 2015 at 3.00 pm at Roughford (BRA’s sports ground) after defeating Down High School 3-0 in the semi final.

Congratulations to Ciara Hill (Yr 8) who qualified for the Ulster Tennis provincial U12 matchplays and will now compete in Irish National Matchplays on 20 to 22 March 2015.

Gordon Dunne MLA and Councillor Stephen Dunne invited the 1st XI Girls Hockey Squad for a reception at Parliament Buildings, Stormont to recognise their success of winning the Schools Cup.

Congratulations to the Year 9s Boys Hockey team who won the Belmont Cup on Tuesday 10 March 2015.  They beat Grosvenor, Regent House and Campbell College to retain the Cup which they won last year.

In the annual King Cup match against Methody saw Sullivan 1st XI finish on a high. The final game for players in Year 14 saw a large squad of players travel to Deramore for the match. Sullivan controlled the game and kept continuous pressure on the Methody defence. Sullivan won the match. The trophy was presented to Sullivan by Mr King in memory of son and has been played for over 20 years. Final Score Sullivan 4 (J Matchett 2, C Robson and R Hancock) – Methody 0