The Royal School in Armagh is on the crest of a hockey wave over the past few seasons winning the All Ireland June Smith U14 tournament in 2022 and then becoming the first school in Ulster to win the Super League and Senior Cup together in 2023.
Incredibly, they have repeated that achievement this season, doing the ‘double-double’.
After winning the Senior Cup last Wednesday, by one goal, against local rivals, Portadown College, they again qualify for the All Ireland Kate Russell tournament.
The two-day event was hosted by Munster in 2023 with the Armagh girls finishing in a very commendable second place.
However, this year, considering the tournament is in Ulster and on the College Hill pitch the Royal schoolgirls aim do go one place better.
Hockey at The Royal School is as strong as it has ever been, dominating all the senior cup competitions this year.
The senior 1st Xl, 3rd Xl and the 4th Xl all won their recent finals with the 2nd Xl finishing as runners up in what has been unprecedented success.
Credit must be given to the girls and their parents for their dedication, but also to the coaches who dedicate their time ensuring the girls are trained and prepared to compete with the best in the province.
The other schools travelling to compete for the Kate Russell Trophy next week are St Angela’s College Cork, Wesley College Dublin, Kilkenny College and Colaiste Iognaid – Galway, as soon as the schedule is released it will be circulated on the school social media channels.
If you are about College Hill next Thursday and Friday (March 21-22), with an interest in hockey, be sure to call down to the pitch and cheer on the local girls.
