Banbridge Hockey Club were crowned champions of the Kirk Cup for the first time since 2019-20 as they beat Queen’s University 3-1 last night.
Two goals from Edward Rowe and a third from Max Murphy sealed the win despite a late goal from Charlie McKeown threatening a potential comeback.
It was the students who started the game quickly with JJ Holley catching defender Philip Brown on the ball before winning his side won the first penalty corner of the game.
From the resulting set play, Ben Law was unable to add to the 20 goals he has scored in the Premier League as he saw his drag flick saved by Finlay Marney in goal.
Instead it was Banbridge who opened the scoring when Edward Rowe picked up a loose ball at the 25 yard line before slipping past two QUB defenders and sending his reverse strike into the far bottom corner.
In the second quarter it was Queen’s University who started quickly once more as Josh Kamalarajah dispossessed Riley Marney before his strike was well saved by Finlay Marney to keep the Banbridge advantage in tact.
Again it Banbridge who got on the scoresheet as a scramble in the penalty area saw a loose ball land for Rowe as he converted for his second of the evening.
Then with just 4 minutes remaining in the first half, Rowe could’ve had his hat-trick.
Youngster Charlie Taylor did well to find the forward before he sent his strike wide of the near post finding the side netting.
Following the restart, Queen’s University continued to threaten, winning a number of penalty corners on the bounce, but Marney and co came out on top to maintain their two goal advantage.
Before long it was 3-0 as Edward Rowe turned provider, picking up the ball just inside the QUB 25 before picking out youngster Max Murphy who was unmarked in the circle before tapping into an empty net.
However, following the third goal, Queen’s University continued to push forward and finally found their breakthrough with Charlie McKeown forcing a high turnover before slotting past Marney to make it 3-1.
Matthew Bell’s side then thought they should have had a penalty corner when Philip Campbell went down under a challenge from the Banbridge goalkeeper, but the umpires waved play on.
Then, with just five minutes remaining, Robbie Mayne thought he had made it 3-2 when he converted from a tight angle, only for the goal to be ruled out.
With so little time left, it was Banbridge who held on to their advantage to see out a 3-1 win and be crowned Kirk Cup champions for a 24th time.