Sullivan’s penultimate game in the league section of the competition was against Cookstown at Comber. With an ever increasing crowd to watch matches Sullivan took immediate control of the game. In a one sided affair the half time score was 6 nil. Sullivan again were in control and with Cookstown losing some discipline and receiving green and yellow cards Sullivan pushed on. Final Score – Sullivan 11 (P McDonnell 3, C Robson 2, M Crookshanks 2, R Hancock, J Matchett 2 and F Gibson) – Cookstown 0 Sullivan now have four winds out of four with one final game in the league section against RBAI.

Following on from a successful season with the Northern Ireland Youth Sailing Squad, including competing at the World Championships at Lake Garda Italy, Sam Rutherford 9C has been selected to the Royal Yachting Association Northern Ireland Laser Youth Squad for the 2015/16 season. As Sam only turned 13 at the start of September he is one of the youngest to ever be selected to represent Northern Ireland in this class of Dinghy.  The squad is made up of the best 18 youth Sailors in the province RYANI Performance Squads are run by the RYANI with funding from Sport Northern Ireland. In addition the squad sailors are required to attend and compete at key National Events, practice in their own time and meet fitness testing targets. The objective is to get the sailors into the elite IRL or GBR National Squad. Sam will now represent Northern Ireland at National and European Events and subject to qualification the Laser 4.7 Words in Kiel Germany in August 2016.

The following pupils successfully represented the school at the Ulster Minor Schools Swimming Gala in Ballymena on Friday 2 October 2015: Year 8 – Katie Kimber, Rachel Wolseley, Rachel White, Tara McDonough, Matthew Latimer Year 9 – Andrew White Congratulations to Katie Kimber who came first in the Ulster Girls 50 m backstroke and third in the Girls 50 m Butterfly; Rachel Wolseley who came second in the Ulster Girls 50 m Backstroke and third in the 50 m Breaststroke, Andrew White who came second in the Ulster Boys 50 m Backstroke and Matthew Latimer who reached the finals of both the Boys 50 m Breaststroke and 50 m Butterfly. The four girls relay team also came first in the 200 m Ulster Girls Medley relay event to add to the medal haul!

In Sullivan’s third game in the competition they welcomed Banbridge to Comber. With a good crowd there to watch what is normally a hard fought battle, Banbridge had the early chance with a penalty corner. Sullivan keeper Max McCone saved on the line. Sullivan then started to take control of the game Callum Robson scoring from a well worked penalty corner. This was then followed by another goal from Callum Robson, again from a well worked penalty corner. Half time Sullivan 2 – Banbridge 0 The second half commenced and Sullivan, again in control, scored with further goals from Callum Carson and John Matchett. Banbridge had a bit of relief as Sullivan had two players in two minutes off with green cards. The nine players on the pitch held firm and when back to full strength Sullivan scored a further goals from John Matchett and Paul McDonnell. John Matchett rounded off his hat-trick with a further goal after Banbridge scored a consolation goal. In all a great team effort and the boys controlled the game. Final Score – Sullivan Upper 7 (C Robson 2, C Carson, P McDonnell and J Matchett 3) – Banbridge  1.

In Sullivan’s second game in the competition they welcomed Royal and Prior from Raphoe to play at Stormont. In a frustrating game Royal and Prior sat deep and waited for the game to break down or played a high ball. It seemed they were playing to win penalty corners. This tactic worked when they were awarded a penalty corner and scored. Sullivan settled down and scored their opening goal from a well worked penalty corner routine, score by Callum Robson. The scored remained at 1 all until half time. In the second half Sullivan managed to break down Royal and Prior and scored through Callum Carson. This was then followed by a third from Adam McAllister and rounded off by another from Callum Robson. Final Score – Sullivan Upper 4 (C Robson 2, C Carson and A McAllister) – Royal & Prior 1.

Ellen Smith (11F) recently represented Northern Ireland in the Junior Inter Regional Orienteering championships held in Cannock Chase in the Midlands.

Golfing Success Scott Miller (Yr 11E) enjoyed a successful season. He was tied for third place in the Irish Boys U14 Championships, second in the Munster U14 Championship and was selected for the Ulster U14 Interprovincial team. He has also qualified for the finals of the Junior European Open in Spain.

Sullivan 1st XI boys hockey team started their McCullough Cup campaign with an emphatic win away to Bangor Grammar. With a full squad Sullivan dominated the game and game out 11 nil winners. Goals from C Robson (3), J Matchett (3), B Cree (2), A McAllister, R Milligan and P McDonnell The next match in the McCullough Cup against Royal & Prior from Raphoe, this is at 12:30 pm on Wednesday 26 September 2015 at Playball, Stormont.

The Achievement Assembly was held on Thursday 17 September 2015 with Guests of Honour, Shirley McKay and Michael Robson.

Congratulations to Zac Moraghan (Yr9J) who has been selected by Ulster Athletics in winning the Ulster Athletic Council Juvenile Star Award for 2015. The Award ceremony takes place in the Four Seasons, Co Monaghan on 13 November 2015.

Sullivan Upper Fencing News Sullivan Upper fencers Emily Maginn (Yr12D) and Ella Reid *Yr12F) were selected to represent Northern Ireland at the recent Sainsbury School Games held in Manchester 3-6 September 2015. Both were part of the NI team that won bronze in the women’s foil event.

Sullivan 1st XI – Trip to Dublin A squad of 20 boys along with teachers and coaches travelled to Dublin on Friday to play matches against St Columba’s and St Andrews, with an overnight stay and a further match against Wesley College with the team ‘paint balling’ before heading home. Sullivan 6 – St Columba’s 2 (M Crookshanks, C Robson, A McAllister, R Hancock, M Morris and J Matchett) Sullivan 1 (M Crookshanks) – St Andrews 5 Sullivan 6 – Wesley College 2 (C Robson 3, B Cree, J Matchett and R Hancock) These matches were a good warm up for the McCullough Cup that commences on Saturday 19September 2015 with a match at Bangor Grammar School with a 9:15 am start.