Gray urges U16 side to adopt winning mentality

Munster U16 coach Andrew Gray has called on his side to approach next month’s interpros with “a winning mentality” after naming his 16-strong panel yesterday.

As with the U18 interpros, an early-season date at UCD (October 2-4) for the U16 tournament has seen Gray and his coaching team screening players, holding trials and playing practice matches throughout the summer.

Eight players return from last season’s side, and Gray is hoping to build on that experience to have a real tilt at winning the competition.

“They are a great bunch of lads that Steve (Sweetnam, assistant coach), George (Blackwell, manager) and I have enjoyed coaching through out the summer,” said Gray.

Scott Sullivan, seen here in action at last year's U16 interpros, will again be a key player for Munster this time around.

“I believe they have a great chance to besuccesful at the interpros – they just need to go in with a winning mentality, not thinking they’re there to make up the numbers.

“I think a number of players will be pushing for Irish u16 places, especially with this being a European year for them. There is a good mix of schools and clubs involed in the team, which is good for the future of Munster hockey.”

Munster’s midfield will be anchored by Ashton School’s Richard Lynch, with Bandon Grammar’s Ireland U16 international Scott Sullivan providing the flair.

Midleton College brothers Adam and Andrew Colton will be vital players in defence, while the goalscoring burden up front will fall on Ben Scott and Gary Wilkinson. Bandon Grammar’s goalkeeping giant Mighty Okafor will likely be between the sticks.

Warm-up games have yielded a 1-0 loss to Catholic Institute and a 5-5 draw with Limerick, and the side also put 14 past Ashton’s women and defeated the Munster U18 girls side 5-2.

The side will face their U18 counterparts and UCC men’s firsts in the coming weekends, before  heading for Belfield.

Munster u16 boys squad: Mighty Okafor (GK, Bandon GS); Andrew Colton (Midleton College/Cork C of I, vice-capt), Fred McElroy (Bandon GS/Bandon), Stuart Miller (Bandon GS/Cork C of I), Richard Kingston (Bandon GS/Bandon), Adam Colton (Midleton College/Cork C of I), Scott Sullivan (Bandon GS/Bandon), Richard Lynch (Ashton School/Cork C of I, capt), Ben Scott (Bandon GS/Bandon), Gary Wilkinson (Ashton School/Cork C of I), Richard Sweetnam (Ashton/Cork C of I), Mark Ryan (Ard Scoil Ris/Catholic Institute), David Treacy (Ashton School/Cork C of I), Nathan Eacrett (Villiers/Limerick HC), Simon Wolfe (Ashton/Cork C of I), Peter Swanton (Ashton/Cork C of I).

Coach: Andrew Gray
Assistant coach: Stephen Sweetnam
Manager: George Blackwell
GK coach: Billy Lynch