Wesley College Claim Back-to-Back All-Ireland SB Championships
October 27, 2026
Wesley College were crowned All-Ireland Schoolboy Champions on Friday following a memorable few days in Cookstown, where some brilliant performances were on display alongside a fantastic atmosphere throughout the tournament.
It was an excellent experience for the five Leinster teams involved, with each side producing some impressive performances over the course of the competition. Let’s take a look at how the group stages unfolded before the semi-finals, where Wesley College continued their journey towards a second consecutive All-Ireland title.
Group A – Wesley College Dominate
Wesley College were the sole Leinster representatives in Group A and delivered an outstanding series of performances to top the group.
They began their campaign with a 4–2 victory over RBAI before producing an emphatic display against Newton School, scoring six goals without reply.
Their final group game against Cookstown proved to be an entertaining contest. Wesley eventually came out on top with a narrow 3–2 victory, securing maximum points and booking their place in the semi-finals in style.
Group B – St Andrew’s College Progress
Group B featured two Leinster sides, St Andrew’s College and The King’s Hospital, both battling to secure a place in the semi-finals.
St Andrew’s made a positive start, edging past Wallace High School with a narrow 1–0 victory. The King’s Hospital, meanwhile, suffered a 2–0 defeat to Bangor in their opening fixture.
The two Leinster sides then met in an important group encounter, with St Andrew’s securing another 1–0 win. This left them needing a victory against Bangor in their final game to guarantee progression.
St Andrew’s delivered when it mattered, producing a 2–0 victory to secure their semi-final place without conceding a goal throughout the group stages.
Group C – Newpark Comprehensive Show Their Quality
Newpark Comprehensive got their tournament off to an excellent start in Group C, defeating Campbell College Belfast 3–1 in an impressive opening performance.
Their second fixture against Ashton proved to be a high-quality encounter. Newpark created opportunities to make their mark, but Ashton ultimately secured a 2–0 victory.
Newpark then faced Banbridge Academy in their final group game, with both sides needing a win to keep their hopes of progressing alive. Banbridge produced a strong performance to claim a 4–1 victory, bringing Newpark’s campaign to a close.
Group D – The High School Battle On
The High School were drawn into a challenging Group D and began their campaign against Sullivan Upper, who proved strong opposition in the opening fixture. The High School battled throughout but eventually fell to a 4–1 defeat.
They regrouped ahead of their second game against Bandon Grammar and produced another determined performance. Despite creating chances, they were unable to secure a result, suffering a narrow 3–1 loss.
Their final fixture saw them face Friends School Lisburn, who would go on to reach the final. The High School produced an excellent performance to earn a deserved point, with the game finishing 1–1.
Semi-Final Stage – An All-Leinster Clash
Thursday saw the semi-final draw take place for the Tasmanian Shield and Herbie Sherman competitions, with the standout fixture being an all-Leinster clash between Wesley College and St Andrew’s College.
The two schools served up a breathless semi-final, with St Andrew’s taking the lead against the reigning champions and looking on course to reach the All-Ireland final.
However, Wesley found a crucial equaliser to send the contest to a shootout. The reigning champions held their nerve to secure their place in the Tasmanian Shield Final, where they would face Friends School Lisburn following Friends’ 1–0 victory over Banbridge Academy.
The Final – Wesley Make It Back-to-Back Titles!
Wesley College were determined to make it back-to-back All-Ireland titles, and they delivered when it mattered most.
Facing Friends School Lisburn in the final, Wesley produced a dominant performance, showcasing some excellent attacking hockey throughout the contest. Their efforts were rewarded with a convincing 3–0 victory, securing the championship in style.
The final whistle sparked brilliant celebrations in Cookstown as Wesley College were crowned All-Ireland Schoolboy Champions for the second consecutive year — a remarkable achievement for the players, coaching staff and everyone connected with the school.
Congratulations to All Five Leinster Teams
A massive well done to Wesley College on an outstanding achievement. Congratulations also to St Andrew’s College, Newpark Comprehensive, The High School and The King’s Hospital for their efforts and performances throughout the tournament.
Finally, a huge thank you to Hockey Ireland and Cookstown for hosting a memorable few days of hockey and providing an excellent experience for all the teams involved.
