Whilst they ended the group phase on top with 4 wins and 2 draws and received a bye through to the semi-finals the semi-final match did not go according to plan.
In the first two minutes Corinthians took the lead and in the short match format Railway were up against it.
Despite a multitude of chances poor finishing and good saves from the Corinthians keeper looked like knocking the boys out. But with under 10 seconds left a great ball into the circle found Oliver Mason who slipped it past the keeper coming out and it was 1v1s. The first set of 1v1s was even and in the second set of sudden death a Stephen O’Leary penalty stroke after Zac Carroll was up-ended meant Corinthians needed to score and with the keeper beaten they hit the inside of the post and the ball travelled along the goal line but did not go in, and Railway were in the final.

The final against the hosts Armagh saw Railway put a very good opening five minutes and goals from Zac Carroll, Archie Wymes and Saul Hogan put the final beyond Armagh, the remainder of the final was even enough but the Sandymount lads deserved to win the final and the tournament.

A big thanks to Jason Whitford for organising this tournament again which is a highlight of the u14 boys calendar each year particularly the Armagh hospitality. It is a fitting memorial tribute to Phil Homan who passed away in 2021, he was a former President and stalwart of Armagh hockey club and a driving force to get a mens and boys club established at Armagh. It was lovely to meet his family at the awards ceremony and they presented the cup to Railway co-captains Patrick Woods & Zac Carroll. Stephen O’Leary from Railway was awarded the player of the tournament following Charlie Trotter of Railway who won it last year.

The Railway squad was rotated throughout with all players contributing towards this trophy and as always from lots of different schools. The Railway squad was Zac Carroll (St Andrews) & Patrick Woods (Wesley College) - Co-Captains, Cole Hogan (GK) Sandymount Park ETSS, Stephen O'Leary (Willow Primary / Blackrock), Jack McCabe (Killians), Hugo Thornton (Sandford Park), Hugo Knox (Sandford Park), Saul Hogan (Sandymount Park ETSS), Oliver Mason (Newpark), Harvey O'Byrne (Newpark), Andi Zhu (St Andrews), Archie Wymes (Booterstown NS / St Andrews), James Hiles (Booterstown NS / St Andrews)

Unlike last years winners, the Railway lads will be delighted to return next year to try and defend their title.