Banbridge Academy were crowned champions of the John Minnis Burney Cup for the first time since 2022 with a 2-1 win over reigning, back-to-back champions RBAI.
Goals from Charlie Taylor and Max Murphy sealed the win despite a late John Cunningham penalty corner setting up a nervy ending at Stormont.
It was the reigning champions who started the tie quickly with John Cunningham forcing two high turnovers in the opening minutes, but his side were unable to capitalise on the opportunity.
Throughout the quarter, RBAI continued to look more threatening but despite their dominance Jack Fleming in the Banbridge goal went relatively untested.
Instead it was Banbridge Academy who ended the quarter strongest.
Charlie Taylor’s quickly taken free saw him skilfully skip past three RBAI defenders before his strike was cleared off the line by Bruce MacDonald, whilst Sam Mills sent a drag flick narrowly wide of the post.
The second period continued in the same fashion as the first with RBAI seeing most of the ball, but it was their opponents who took the lead with 27 minutes played.
Charlie Taylor combined well with teammate Max Murphy along the baseline before his first time finish in the goalmouth found the roof of the net.
However just seconds later Mark Gleghorne’s side could have drawn level.
Another high turnover saw Jacob McIlhatton win the ball in the opposition circle before his snap shot was well saved by Fleming to send his side into the break 1-0 up.
As the sides emerged for the second half, it was the Belfast side who threatened.
Three penalty corners in a row saw them out Banbridge under considerable pressure but RBAI were unable to capitalise.
At the other end Charlie Taylor continued to cause problems, driving at the RBAI defence but unable to fashion a goal scoring opportunity for his side.
Just as the quarter came to an end, Bruce MacDonald picked out Matthew McAreavey at the top of the circle, but his mis-hit effort was saved once more by Fleming as the sides entered the final quarter at 1-0.
With RBAI continuing to push for an equaliser, it was Banbridge Academy who got the second goal of the game having caught their opponents on the break.
Josh Osborne led the charge before the ball was worked out to teammate Stephen Grattan on the byline.
The Banbridge forward did well to play the ball across the face of the RBAI goalmouth, picking out the unmarked Max Murphy who was left with a tap-in to double his sides advantage.
However, just a minute later RBAI were back in the tie as John Cunningham’s drag flick found the bottom right corner with just two minutes remaining.
Then, in they dying moments of the game, his side were awarded another corner, but on this occasion Fleming and co held firm to hold on to their slim lead and be crowned champions for the 15th time.