McCullough Cup holders Wallace High School have been drawn to face Banbridge Academy in the semi-finals of the John Minnis Estate Agents Burney Cup at Lisnagarvey next Wednesday (3.15pm) as they bid for a coveted same-season double.
In the first half of the double-header at Comber Road, Sullivan Upper, last year’s beaten finalists, who will be attempting to go one better 12 months on, first have to get past Methodist College (1.30pm)
In the quarter-finals, Wallace welcomed Regent House to their home pitch on Saturday and, despite a very tight first half, emerged as comfortable and deserving 6-2 winners.
Visiting goalkeeper, Sam Hamill laid claim to the player of the match award as he made a string of superb saves throughout the game. He was chiefly responsible for the Lisburn school only leading 2-1 at the break although he was powerless to stop a Troy Chambers penalty corner thunderbolt and a smart one v one finish from Ben Clarke.
Regent’s only entry to the Wallace circle resulted in a fine goal for the visitors and left all to play for heading into the second half. Again, Hamill was called into action on several occasions but eventually Wallace ground down their visitors with a flurry of goals.
Chambers added to his first half strike, with captain Jonny Lynch and Max Taylor also getting two apiece. The standout goal was scored by Wallace player of the match Clarke who lifted a long aerial ball over the keeper.
Regent kept fighting and got a late consolation but it was Wallace who went into the semi final draw.
Sullivan strolled into the semi-finals of the with a runaway 13-0 win over Campbell College, with Matthew Willis stealing the show with five of the goals.
However, the going is set to get tougher for last year’s finalists with Methody, who have been regular semi-finalist in the two major cup competitions of late, next up.
Sullivan opened with drive and determination and went ahead through Willis within five minutes. Two more very impressive goals followed from Willis and Isaac Hart.
Great counter attacking opened Campbell up again and three more goals came before half time leaving it 6-0 at the break. The second half was no different as Campbell were encamped in their own quarter.
Goals came at regular intervals leaving a final score of 13 – 0 and but for some fine goalkeeping by Conor Slack the margin would have been even greater.
John Minnis Estate Agents Burney Cup Semi-final draw (Lisnagarvey, Wednesday March 13):
Sullivan Upper v MCB (1.30pm); Wallace High v Banbridge Academy (3.15pm).
John Minnis Estate Agents Quarter-finals:
Wallace High 8 (M Taylor 2, T Chambers 2, J Lynch 2, B Clarke 2) Regent House 2; Antrim Grammar 0 Methodist College Belfast 6; Banbridge Academy 2 (C Large, E Rowe) RBAI 0; Sullivan Upper 13 (Matthew Willis 5, Isaac Hart 2, Djay Erskine, Paddy Crookshanks, Michael Trimble ,Conor Matthews,Tom McClintock, Daniel Girvin) Campbell 0.
