R.B.A.I and Banbridge Academy have both qualified for the John Minnis Burney Cup Final following their Semi-Final victories yesterday afternoon.
Inst progressed with a narrow 3-2 win over Friends’ School Lisburn whilst their next opponents beat Sullivan Upper 4-0.
In the first Semi-Final, it took just seven minutes for R.B.A.I to open the scoring when they were awarded a penalty stroke following a foot on the line.
George Palmer stepped up to take the penalty and confidently placed his effort past the goalkeeper to give his side the lead.
Despite the Belfast side continuing to pile on the pressure it was Friends’ School Lisburn who got the next goal.
A fantastic solo effort from Aidan Morrow saw him beat his man on the top of the circle before his reverse strike from a tight angle found the far bottom corner.
In the 26th minute, John Cuningham restored his side’s lead when he picked out the bottom left corner with an inch-perfect drag flick, but the advantage only lasted for three minutes as Robbie Mayne equalised with a short corner of his own.
However, ten minutes from the end of time Cunnginham gave R.B.A.I the lead for a third and final time as he prodded the ball over the line following a scramble in the penalty area.
Despite a late flurry of pressure from their Lisburn opponents, Inst were able to hold on to their lead and progress to the final.
In the second semi-final, Banbridge Academy got off to a flying start as Adam McKee opened the scoring from a penalty corner with just five minutes on the clock before Josh Baird made it 2-0 before the end of the first quarter.
Sullivan Upper’s goalkeeper Jack Duncan put on a fine display to keep his side in the game as he saved a penalty stroke on the brink of the break to keep it 2-0.
However just five minutes into the second quarter, Duncan was once again faced with a penalty stroke, but despite a different taker, the shot-stopper came out on top once more.
Midway through the third period Banbridge finally found the third goal their performance deserved as they caught Sullivan on the break before Lukas Moles was left with a tap-in at the back post.
With just ten minutes left on the clock, Adam McKee got his second goal of the game as he once again struck from a penalty corner and rounded off the victory for his side.
The Final is scheduled to take place at 7:45 pm on Thursday 14th March at Playball, Stormont.
