On the 28th November, in the Armagh City Hotel, the Abbey successfully defended its title of Mid-Ulster champions in the Young Consumer Competition. The team of Steven Rice, Paul O’Hare, Colm O’Grady and Paul Henning had to come from behind to defeat the stiff competition provided by the Sacred Heart and Banbridge Academy, who finished 3rd and 2nd respectively.

Indeed a nail-biting final few moments were assured when the Abbey and Banbridge Academy were level at the end of the nine rounds, but the Abbey prevailed in the tie-break. This is the fourth year in succession the Abbey has triumphed in the Mid-Ulster heat, a remarkable achievement.

The team now goes forward to the Northern Ireland finals, which will take place on the 5th March in Lisburn, where their opponents will include Methodist College Belfast, Thornhill College Derry and Ballymena Academy.