Midleton College

All Weather Facility - The Cairns Field

In the season 2001 - 2002 the school we laid a sand-dressed, nylon 6, fully lit all weather facility (Astroturf). A remarkable achievement for all concerned. This is the culmination of a millennium project driven by a committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Ken Brookes, a governor of the school.

The school field’s hockey teams at senior, junior (u.16), minor (u14) and first year levels.

Coaching

The teams are coached by:

Ivan Leopold/Clive Seale (Senior)
Liz Clifford - U16
Mary Power -U14
Catriana Hassey - 1st Year

Ivan Leopold - has acted as manager to the Irish U16 International Squad; Coached Munster U18 and U16 boys, acted as assistant coach to the Munster Senior Ladies and coached Ashton and UCC senior ladies’ teams.

Mary Power - A former international Ladies’ Umpire who is now an International Umpires manager. She umpired over 100 internationals in her 14 year career. She has coached Harlequins and C of I senior ladies’ team; acted as assistant coach to both Munster U18 and U16 girls’ squads and coached the Munster U14 development squad.

Clive Seale - has coached Munster Junior Ladies, Cobh Ladies and also coaches the school’s senior girls squad, Munster U-16, C.I. 2nd XI Ladies and is currently coaching Midleton Men’s Div II team.

Liz Clifford - played hockey wuth St. Mary's University College, Strawberry Hill, London. she is currently playing with Midleton H.C. , while also a member of the Munster Hockey Umpires' Association.

Caitriona Hassey - played hockey at University College cork. She is currently playing with Midleton H.C. She is appointments secretary for the Munster Hockey Umpires' Association. She has umpired at U16 inter-provincial level.

2009/2010 Midleton College Hockey Teams Success!

2008/2009

Senior Boys’ Hockey

The Senior Hockey team had a somewhat mixed season, producing some good but also some rather average performances. In reality we were a little behind Bandon and Ashton and ahead of Villiers and Newtown. On a positive note we qualified for the Irish Schools’ Tournament for the third year in a row. In the tournament, played in Limerick, we were drawn in a group containing RBAI, Wesley College and Kilkeel. In our first match, an even game, RBAI defeated us by 4 goals to 2. Defensive frailties cost us dearly, as we conceded three goals on the break, and despite owning the second half, we just could not claw back the necessary goals. Annihilation followed against Wesley in the second match, when our difficulties in defending short corners were ruthlessly exposed, resulting in an 8 nil trouncing. Wesley went on to contest the final losing out by the odd goal in three. After suffering such a shattering reverse, it is to the credit of the whole panel, that they were able to lift themselves so quickly, and come from behind to defeat Kilkeel by 2 goals to 1. In the cup we succumbed to a strong Ashton side, with a very good short corner routine, by 4 goals to 1. The disappointment from our perspective was that most of our top players chose this occasion to play their poorest match of the season. In retrospect, playing the match just after the mock exams may not have been such a good idea.

Goalkeeping duties were shared by Charlie O’Sullivan and Josh Spink. There was very little difference in ability between the two, and both had their outstanding and scary moments during the season. The latter usually occurred at short corner time against some very good drag flicking.

In defence Simon Casey and Adam O’Callaghan, were dependable and aggressive in the tackle and quite prepared to put their bodies on the line. Ian White a skilful and attacking right-back played some good hockey but his performances lacked the consistency of last season. Darragh Crosbie, was a direct, whole hearted and honest left-back, what you saw was what you got! The O’Sullivan brothers, David and Stuart, were regular members of the senior panel. David was a determined and robust player with a strong hit, he does however, need to improve his tackling technique. Stuart was a player with a lot of potential and very good skills but lacked the confidence or desire to really impose his obvious ability on a game.

In mid-field Nick Burns displayed some wonderful skills and was our leading scorer with 8 goals. He also represented Munster at Under 18 and Ireland at Under 16 levels. A player of undoubted class, Nick is destined for further honours so long as his temperament does not jeopardize this progression. Alistair Murphy, who captained the team, filled the difficult centre link berth. A natural centre-forward, he selflessly adapted his game for the sake of the team. Volatile at times, in the sporting arena, Alistair displayed the maturity and self control necessary for a team leader. Andrew Colton, an intelligent player with a degree of composure not always found in one so young, progressed nicely and was rewarded with a place on the Munster Under 16 panel.

Up front Andrew Power, a player who likes to attack and commit defenders played some fine games but was frustrated by a niggling injury which restricted his natural pace and dynamism. John Sweetnam a skilful forward, played some good hockey, a simplified and more pragmatic approach, allied to a better execution of a pass, would improve his game no end. Marc Hornibrook, a winger with lightning pace, and Greg Chambers, a young forward with developing skills, displayed admirable progress. Daniel James showed promise as a useful and intelligent right-back, while Diarmuid Long and Criostoir Humphreys filled in as useful utility players in defence and mid-field respectively.

In conclusion my thanks to the usual suspects: Clive Seale and Mary Power for their outstanding help and advice especially at the Irish Schools’ Tournament. Mary’s excellent umpiring saw her deservedly awarded a semi-final match. My thanks to Paula Stead for attending to our medical matters, and our chef, Rory Graham, for looking after our culinary requirements. My thanks also to Gerry Maguire and Liam Power for assistance with pitch maintenance and the School Office for their expertise regarding administrative and financial matters.

Panel: Charlie O’Sullivan, Josh Spink, Simon Casey, Ian White, Adam O’Callaghan, Darragh Crosbie, David O’Sullivan, Nick Burns, Alistair Murphy,[Capt] Andrew Colton, Andrew Power, John Sweetnam, Stuart O’Sullivan, Mark Hornibrook, Daniel James, Greg Chambers, Diarmuid Long, Criostoir Humphreys.

U16 A Boys Hockey

This season we played 4 matches winning all four games. We got the season started with a friendly against Newtown School Waterford with a 4-3 win with goals from Niall Madden, Oliver Kane, Greg Chambers and Louis Farnham. Our season was very broken with a lot of the players involved in the Senior A squad. We played Bandon Grammar at home in the league with a 3-2 win with goals from Nick Burns 1 and John Sweetnam 2. We drew Ashton School in the U16A Cup resulting in a 4-3 win with goals from Nick Burns two from short corners and one apiece from Stuart O’ Sullivan and John Sweetnam even though having numerous chances late on in the game to finish off our opposition.
Our highlight of the season was the cup Final against Bandon Grammar. With the side’s level 2-2 at half time, 3-3 at full time, we faced extra time after which the game ended as a 5-5 draw. With the score line alone it was a very good game but not exactly good for the heart. With no replay the match had to be decided by a penalty shootout competition which we won 3-2, which meant we won the U16A Cup for the first time since 1987. Goals scored during the final were, Greg Chambers 2, Nick Burns 1 Ned Hodson 1 and John Sweetnam 1.

I would like to thank Nick Burns for his excellent season as a player and captain, even though he was U16 he represented Munster at U18 and went on to play for Irish U16 for the 3rd season also to Andrew Colton who was on the Munster U16’s.

In conclusion I would like to thank Ivan Leopold, Liz Clifford, Mary Power and Catriona Hassey for their help during the season.

Panel: B. Doyle, D. Poynton, Adam Colton, J. Pope, S O’Sullivan, J.McEvoy, D. James, N. Madden, O. Kane, l. Deane, G. Chambers, L. Farnham, T. Norton, T. Bourke, A. Simonin, N. Hodson, N. Burns (capt), Andrew Colton, J. Sweetnam, M. Hornibrook, P. Abernethy, K. Abernethy, D. Stead, J. Hartnett.

Representative Honours:     Nick Burns, Ireland U16 and Munster U18
        Adam O’Callaghan, Munster U21
                                              Andrew Colton, Munster U16

U14 BOYS’ HOCKEY

Due to several factors our fixture list this season was very limited indeed.
However we had a good bunch of interested and enthusiastic players who enjoyed their training sessions and their matches.

John Albert McEvoy captained the side this year, and showed himself to be a very able defender who is very comfortable on the ball, and allied with Bryan Moore made a very solid defence, unfortunately, Bryan missed a lot of the season due to injury.
David Poynton our goalie put in a few noteworthy appearances between the sticks,and Luke Deane was another reliable and skillful player at this level.

Others to catch the eye were Jack Gibbons, Adam Pennington, Conor Simpson, James Pope, and Oliver Kane.

The rest of the squad included: Frazier Browne, Evan Coates, Kim Crosbie, Donnchadh Gethins, Oliver Ind, Kevin Laatz, Billy McCarthy, Daniel Wardle, Daniel Wathen, and Robert Whiting.

I wish all the boys the best of luck in their future hockey careers.

- M.P.

FIRST YEAR BOYS’ HOCKEY

Numbers of hockey players in first year seem to increase year by year, so much so that with 25 students taking to the pitch this season, two coaches were necessary to control the masses. Ensuring that everyone participates can be difficult with such high numbers however we managed to compete on ten different occasions, so that everyone played a match. These included three 6-a-side blitzes in Bandon, Villiers and Ashton, two 11-a-side blitzes in Midleton and Newtown and five friendly full pitch matches. These matches gave rise to an impressive set of statistics, in all 69 goals were scored by 17 different players.
The 6-a-side blitzes provide an ideal start to the season as they allow for development of skills at different levels while still ensuring that everyone gets a chance to compete. The blitzes can be lively affairs with over 100 players competing, usually from five different schools. This acts as a great opportunity for the students to meet fellow hockey players that they will compete against for the next six years. This year also saw the attendance of Kilkenny College at the blitz in Villiers.
While the 6-a-side matches provide plenty of goal scoring chances it is worth noting that in 11-a-side matches this season Midleton scored 21 goals and only let in 5, thanks in part to goal keeping displays from Aarron Deane. Matches were a team affair, ably led by Captain Andrew McGregor. Other players to note were Owen Chambers who joined Andrew in midfield and Luke Hevers who started many of the attacks from his position in the centre of the defence. The records for the full pitch matches include six wins (Ashton 3-0, 4-0, 4-0; Newtown 2-0, 4-0; Bandon 1-0) one draw (Bandon 1-1) and two loses (Bandon 1-2; Villiers 1-2).
The final outing of the season proved a tense affair, as the trip to Newtown to participate in an 11-a-side blitz had the incentive of a trophy for the victors. Three schools competed for the trophy. Midleton won the first match with an impressive performance against Newtown (4-0), with goals scored by Owen Chambers, Paul Kingston, Andrew McGregor and Shane McPadden. The second match against Bandon proved to be a tougher affair. The end result was a 1-1 draw, the Bandon keeper finally being beaten by a deflection from his own team of a short corner shot by Cormac O’ Sullivan. This result however meant that Bandon went home with the trophy due to their higher goal difference.
Top goal scorers for the year were Paul Kingston and Cormac O’ Sullivan (9 goals), closely followed by Andrew McGregor (8 goals). I would like to thank all those involved for their participation throughout the year and I wish all the players success in their future hockey careers.
Panel: O. Chambers, E. Doyle, C. McPadden, D. Wood, L. Hevers, R. O’Mahony, D. Moore, A. McGregor (Capt.), P. Kingston, C. O’Sullivan, R. Donovan, J. Foley, A. Deane, S. McPadden, J. Ottman, M. Murray, S. Mitchell, J. Swanton, D. Somers , C. Clarke, R. Scandrett, M. O’ Callaghan, C. Sheehy, C. McGuigan, K. Webb.
-C.H.

Irish Schools Hockey 2009

This year we qualified for the Irish Schools Hockey Tournament for the fourth year in a row. We qualified by beating Villiers 2-0. We headed to Belfast on Tuesday 20th October. It was a 16 person squad, and Mr Leopold, Ms. Power and Mr Seale accompanied us. On Wednesday we had our first match of the tournament against Wallace, who won our group and lost the finals of the Irish Schools on penalties. We lost that match 4-0 against a very good Wallace side. We had two matches on the Thursday. Our first match was against St. Andrews who, were last years winners of the Irish Schools. We beat St Andrews 3-1 in an excellent performance. Greg Chambers scored one and Nick Burns scored the other two. Cookstown were our next opponents and we lost to them 2-0, we were very unlucky to lose to them and we should probably have beaten them if we had taken our many chances during the game. Despite this we finished second in one of the toughest groups of the tournaments. We finished the tournament with a friendly against Friends on the Friday. We returned to the school late on the Friday evening. Thanks to our coaches, who trained us and brought us to the tournament.

- Andy Colton (Form IV)

Representative Honours

Munster U21	2006/2007 Darren Farrell
Munster U18	2005/2006 Darren/Farrell, Craig Moore
	2006/2007 Emmet Long, Steven White
Munster U16	2005/2006 Simon Casey
	2006/2007 Nicholas Burns, Adam O'Callaghan, Charlie O'Sullivan
Ireland U16	2006/2007 Nicholas Burns