Newpark Comprehensive School’s Senior Boys Hockey team will travel to Cookstown from Wednesday 21 October to Friday 23 October to compete in this year’s All-Ireland Schools Championship. Drawn in Group C, Newpark will face Campbell College, Ashton School and Banbridge Academy as they look to continue their recent progress on the national stage.

Qualification was secured following an impressive season, with the team finishing second in the Cup and third in the league, earning automatic entry to the tournament. The squad enters the competition full of confidence and eager to build on a number of strong performances in recent years. The school has a proud tradition in the All-Ireland Championship, having become the first Leinster school to win the title in 1996. This year’s squad will be hoping to add another chapter to that rich history.

Leading the side is Irish U18 captain David Rankin, supported by vice-captains Joshua Carroll and Leo Pearlman Spencer. Their experience and leadership form the backbone of a talented squad that also includes goalkeeper Finn Harty, who arrives fresh from Interprovincial success with Leinster. The team is coached by Ben Marnell, who is in his second year in charge and has overseen the continued development of a highly committed and ambitious group of players.

The squad will make the journey North on Tuesday 20 October aboard the school’s newly acquired bus before beginning their campaign the following day. The team is proudly sponsored by Yippie.ai, and the school would like to extend its sincere thanks to Hugh Duignan and his team for their generous support for this seasons tournament.

Everyone at Newpark wishes the players and coaching staff the very best of luck as they represent the school in Cookstown.

Squad: Finn Harty, Leo Pearlman Spencer, Ryan McFadden, James Craig, Miles Geraghty, Joel Pedapongu, Leo Marnell, Jacob Vaughan, Josh Carroll, David Rankin (C), Sam O’Sullivan, Cal Doran, Jack Cullen, Oisin Mitton, Sean Daluz, Oliver Mason.