Ferris Cup Final
16 March 2023
Stormont Estate, Belfast
Umpires: George Redpath & Julie Fisher
Cookstown High School U14…1 (Noah Cuddy)
Royal Belfast Academical Institute…0
Cookstown High School won the U14 Schools Cup for the 6th time after defeating old rivals RBAI by the odd goal at the Stormont Estate. This was a dominant cup run with the school scoring 31 goals and only conceding one. Jack Patterson ended up the top scorer with 9 goals during the campaign. The team was captained by Edward Irwin.
First Half
The game started tensely with both teams ‘sounding’ each other out in the opening exchanges. In the 6th minute, it was Cookstown who won the game’s first penalty corner after a great run by midfielder Ethan Redford. This corner was well defended by RBAI. Shortly after this, RBAI then had a great chance of their own, but CHS Goalkeeper Benji Patterson pulled off a fantastic save low down to his right-hand side. Cookstown were having a lot of success attacking down the right-hand side with Isaac Kelso and Bobbi Robinson linking well. Cookstown forced some further corners and chances but couldn’t break the deadlock. RBAI looked dangerous on the counterattack, but Charlie Costelloe and team captain Edward Irwin were superb at the heart of the defence. After some prolonged pressure Cookstown finally broke the deadlock when Noah Cuddy deflected home an Edward Irwin reverse stick pass. Cookstown had another chance just before half time with Jack Patterson’s effort being well saved.
Second Half
The second half followed a very similar pattern to the first with Kelso and Redford running things in midfield and Irwin, Costelloe, Robinson, and Brisbane being solid at the back. RBAI had their best spell of the game midway through the half when they forced several penalty corners. Cookstown defended the corners superbly with Benji Patterson starring as goalkeeper. Cookstown just couldn’t get the second goal that would have killed the game off, Patterson went close again after some tidy baseline work by Noah Cuddy, but his shot just slipped past the post. Cookstown managed the closing stages of the game well with Irwin and Costelloe constantly absorbing and relieving pressure. Aaron Brown had a great run down the left-hand side near the end that took the game away from Inst. The game finished with jubilant scenes as the many travelling fans celebrated with their team on the pitch, a great day for the school and town.
Team Captain Edward Irwin
I was just so happy to lift our first schools cup together as a team. We have worked hard with our coaches, and I am happy that we have brought the Ferris back to our school. I would like to thank everyone that came down to support, it was a great day. We don’t have long to celebrate as we need to get back on the training pitch as we have the All Ireland U14 John Waring trophy to prepare for.
Head of Sport Cookstown High School Mr M Haycock
I am delighted for the boys and it’s great to have another school’s cup back in the trophy cabinet. Our school has a rich history of being able to compete with the large Grammar Schools throughout the province, we targeted this cup at the start of the year and Julian Costelloe, Godfrey Irwin and Stephen Cuddy have worked hard with the boys every week. This is a very strong group of players, and I am hopeful that several of them can go on to represent Ulster u16s next season. Can I thank all the pupils, staff, and parents for their support for the boys, it is very much appreciated.
Cookstown High School Principal Miss G J Evans
The boys have brought the Ferris Cup back to CHS and it is thoroughly well deserved. We are very proud of the boys for their passion, teamwork, commitment; they have played very well all season. The team were supported by their coaches - sincere thanks to Mr M Haycock, Mr J Costelloe, Mr G Irwin and Mr S Cuddy for their dedication and commitment.
THE ROAD TO FINAL:
LAST 16
Cookstown High School ...15 Noah Cuddy (3), Jack Patterson (3) Edward Irwin (2) Ethan Redford (2), Scott Ashfield (2), Aaron Brown, Bobbi Robinson & Isaac Kelso
Regent House School…0
QUARTER FINAL
Cookstown High School…10 Isaac Kelso (2) Jack Patterson (2), Aaron Abernerthy, Noah Cuddy, Scott Ashfield, Edward Irwin, Bobbi Robinson & Ethan Redford
Kilkeel High School…0
SEMI FINAL
Banbridge Academy…1
Cookstown High School…6 Jack Patterson (4), Noah Cuddy & Edward Irwin
SQUADS
Cookstown High School: 1 Noah Cuddy, 2 Bobbi Robinson, 3 Edward Irwin (Captain), 4 Sam Hamill, 5 Charlie Costelloe, 6 Caleb Caskey, 7 Isaac Kelso (Vice Captain), 8 Aaron Brown, 9 Jack Patterson, 10 Ethan Redford (Vice Captain), 11 Lee Brisbane, 12 Joshua Bell, 14 Scott Ashfield, 15 Calum Hewitt, 16 Aaron Abernethy, 17 Benji Patterson (GK) & 18 Jake Wilson (GK)
Coaches: Godfrey Irwin, Julian Costelloe, Michael Haycock & Stephen Cuddy
Pen Portraits
Noah Cuddy Noah is the youngest player on the team and is still only in Year 8. Noah is an excellent goal scorer and has a excellent hockey brain. Noah scored in every round of the Ferris Cup including the winner in the final.
Bobbi Robinson Bobbi is another player that is playing up a year from year 9, Bobbi had a fantastic final at right back linking with Isaac Kelso during the whole match. Bobbi gained an Ulster U16 trial due to his performance in the final.
Edward Irwin (Captain) Edward is a natural leader and is the mainstay of the U14s defence. Edward has superb tackling and passing skills coupled with organising those players in front of him. Edward setup the goal in the final and earned an Irish U16 after the game.
Sam Hamill Sam is an excellent defender, primarily playing left back but can play anywhere across the back four. Sam had an excellent semi final performance against Banbridge Academy.
Charlie Costelloe Charlie is playing a year up from year 9 and is one of the most exciting players in his own age group. Charlie never missed a tackle or a trap in the final controlling things at the heart of the back four with captain Edward Irwin. A brilliant player.
Caleb Caskey Caleb is another excellent defender and had excellent performances throughout the competition. Caleb is a very good tackler and has got a good passing range.
Isaac Kelso (Vice Captain) Isaac Kelso is a superb midfielder and was one of the best players in the final. He is constant threat with his running ability and skill. Isaac is the teams main attacking force and has scored and setup loads of goals this season.
Aaron Brown Aaron is a very composed and talented left midfielder, who had a great performance in the final. Aaron is very good at tackling and relieving pressure.
Jack Patterson Jack is the teams natural goal scorer who has a knack of always being in the right place at the right time. He has scored very important goals all season including an amazing four goals in 14 minutes in the semi-final against Banbridge.
Ethan Redford (Vice Captain) Ethan is an amazing athlete and has skill to match and is one of the best u14 Centre midfielders in Ulster. Had a superb final winning penalty corner and always being a constant threat. Ethan has a big future in the game.
Lee Brisbane Lee has an excellent sporting brain and had an excellent final at left back in the final. He along with the other back four kept the RBAI opportunities to a minimum and was always an option for a pass.
Joshua Bell Joshua has had a very good season in the u14s front line. He is a very hard worker, is fast and athletic and scores his fair share of goals.
Scott Ashfield Scott is another player who has had a good season in the forward line, scoring some cracking goals during the cup run including a couple of braces. Scott is a hard worker who is always in the right place in the attacking circle.
Calum Hewitt Callum is a skilful year 9 playing up a year in the u14 team. He played very well during the final, being composed and setting up a couple of scoring opportunities.
Aaron Abernethy Aaron is a very hard-working right winger and the ultimate team player. He had an excellent final constantly putting pressure on the RBAI left back.
Benji Patterson Benji had a superb final keeping a clean sheet against a very good RBAI side. Benji made some very important stops from open play and at set pieces.
Jake Wilson (GK) Jake is a very accomplished goalkeeper who has backed Benji up throughout the Ferris Cup run. Jake is a very good shot stopper and is very good in one v one situations.