Ulster were crowned champions of the 2024 UK School Games in both the boys’ and girls’ sections on Sunday afternoon.
The success also comes alongside their two other teams coming third and fourth in their respective sections of the competition.
The Ulster Reds girls’ side were victorious with a 3-1 win over England in their final, with goals from Erin Pim, Scarlett Taylor and Katie Herron.
It was Pim who got the side off to a flying start when she opened the scoring with just six minutes on the clock.
The Pegasus forward was played through one-on-one with the English goalkeeper before rounding her opposite number and scoring into an empty goal.
The youngster was also involved in the games second goal. Having won a penalty corner, the ball was slipped left before Pim’s effort was deflected goal-bound by Scarlett Taylor.
The goal in the 39th minute looked to have Ulster on course to win the competition, but against the run of play, England got a goal of their own to set up a nervy final ten minutes.
However, in the final seconds of the game, Rebekah Lennon’s aerial over the defence found her Portadown teammate Katie Herron who made it 3-1 right on the final whistle with the goal sealing the victory for her side.
Later in the afternoon, the Ulster Red boys team were in action against England and were given the perfect start when John Cunningham opened the scoring with four minutes played.
A disappointing second quarter from the side saw the game flipped on its head with England firing past the Ulster defence on four occasions to have a 4-1 lead at half-time.
With the scoreline and time ticking on Ulster were given a lifeline when Adam McKee got his first of the afternoon in the 44th minute, scoring from a penalty corner.
Just three minutes into the final quarter the side struck once more, this time Josh Osborne was left with an open goal following good work from Cunningham down the right wing.
Then, with just 30 seconds remaining on the clock, Banbridge forward McKee struck once more as his drag flick into the bottom corner levelled the scoring and forced the game to run-ins.
With the sides still inseparable after five run-ins each, they went to sudden death where John Cunningham converted before goalkeeper Sam Holmes proved to be the hero to seal a 3-2 run in victory.
The young shot-stopper got an initial touch to force his man wide before making a brilliant recovery save to deny the Englishman and complete an outstanding Ulster comeback!
