Royal School Armagh will always work hard and strive for hockey glory, says coach Greg Thompson

As work began on their brand new state-of-the-art 4G pitch across the road from the school, which was laid on top of their two already existing gravel pitches, it meant the school had to find a new ‘home’ venue.

So, hampered by a lack of facilities out of which to play and train, their teams would be bussed each Saturday morning to neighbouring Portadown or Lurgan to play their games.

At the time, it was a hassle. In the end, having to go through the adversity of so much travel perhaps proved a blessing.

“We talked with about a week to go to the Kate Russell (All-Ireland Final), we stood on this pitch and the marquees and all that stuff was going in along the sides, and I tried to paint the picture for the girls that in a week’s time, we could be walking off this pitch as All-Ireland champions in front of our own fans, parents and the staff who have supported us all year,” says head coach Greg Thompson.

“For that to be realised was a very sweet feeling and one that will be tough to replicate. It won’t be held in Ulster again for five years, and there’s no guarantee we’ll be there.

“From a logistical point of view, it’s just great to be able to walk down to your own pitch, not have to get a bus to play home games, have facilities you can call your own. It has been a real joy to utilise those on a Saturday morning or for Cup games on a Wednesday.

“We did have to make do for long enough. I’ve been at the school for nine years, and I’ve long wanted a hockey pitch here, but that battle started a long time before I got here. I’m sure it’s extra sweet for those who have pushed for that for years.”

It is even more sweet now looking back on what has been an incredible 2023/24 season for Armagh, as not only did they defend both their Ulster Super League and Belfast Telegraph Ulster Senior Cup titles, but they made it a terrific treble by adding the Kate Russell All-Ireland Cup to their full-to-bursting trophy cabinet, furthering the dynasty that is being built on College Hill.

And that is what has led to Thompson being named the Electric Ireland Game Changer Award winner for the month of March, although make no mistake about it, the award goes to the entire team as well, the only caveat being that individuals under 18 can’t win the trophy.

“This wasn’t one I was expecting, but I’m delighted to receive it!” smiles Thompson. “It closes off a great month for Royal School Armagh and the girls’ hockey team here.

“We’re very fortunate to have a very talented group of girls right now, but we don’t rely just on talent. These girls have worked extremely hard all season.

“In fact, they’ve worked hard since their early days at the school, and they’ve experienced success at every level since Covid. Since then, they’ve gone from strength to strength.”

The success goes beyond just the First XI, too, to an incredible degree. The Thirds and Fourths also delivered Cup success to the school in 2024, while the Seconds reached their Cup Final and the Under-14s were one game away from winning the Junior Super League as well.

“We have strength in numbers even though we’re a small school, we only have around 800 pupils and only half of them are girls,” continues Thompson.

“We’re boxing above our weight, but there’s a real culture within Armagh and the club where success is the driving force.

“The girls are passionate about their hockey, and we want to give them the opportunities they’re deserving of. It’s great to see them enjoying what they’re doing.

“Christine Russell works in the primary schools, the school does great work with the younger girls, and we try and continue that on. We have a team of coaches who are passionate to see the girls succeed, give their expertise to helping them develop.”

The challenge now, of course, is doing it all over again. With three trophies to defend in the 2024/25 season and five of their squad having reached the end of their school days, thoughts have already turned to the future.

But more than that for Thompson, he’s thinking about how to get the most out of the girls not only on the pitch but off it, too.

And part of that is finding new ways to get the most out of them – and that excites him as they retool to go again in what will be his 10th season in charge.

“I look back now and laugh at some of the initial tactics I used and the way I went about it,” he grins.

“Schoolboy rugby is so professionally run, you have Directors of Rugby and full-time strength and conditioning coaches, and they have analysis on a weekly basis. To the best of our ability, at Royal School Armagh, we try to replicate that.

“My philosophy, my way of thinking, is that if it’s good for the boys, it’s good for the girls, and we try and give them the same opportunities that they have.

“It means I ask a lot of the girls, but they ask a lot of themselves. They’re a very demanding group, but in the best way because they want to do these things themselves.

“No, we don’t do the same level of conditioning as a rugby team, we don’t need to. But we dedicate a morning a week before school where the girls are in the gym.

“We video every game we play and, to the best of my ability, analyse that. I think those things stand by us.

“By no means is it perfected, there are always things we add, but we can do it incrementally now.”