NEWPARK Comprehensive are the new Irish Schools champions. Yesterday at Harlequin Park in Cork they overcame fellow Leinster side Wesley College, 2-0, to win the title for the first time and become the first non Ulster school to win the Tasmanian Shield in its 15 year history.

Both sides served up some fine hockey in the final despite weariness from playing five matches in three days. Newpark deserved their success as they looked a well balanced side overall and had outstanding performers in Douglas Keeley, Colm Brady, Stephen Butler and Cliff Bailey.

It was Bailey who latched on to a defensive error and skilfully opened the scoring in the 27th minute. After the interval Newpark had to soak up a lot of pressure but a breakaway goal by Stephen Barry in the 58th minute decided the issue.

Avoca, appreciating their strong Newpark connections over the years, also travel to Cork this weekend to start the defence of the Irish Senior Cup against Harlequins. They need to fire a shot or two out of Ivan Bateman's reach so as to motor south again in a fortnight's time to tackle accomplished C of I, who are bound to eliminate their Leinster second division visitors, Skerries.

It could well be that Bateman Europe's number one goalkeeper, will be beaten only by his fellow Munsterman, Robert Ryan, who struck the winner for Avoca against Lisnagarvey in last season's epic final.

Peter Darley, the Ireland number two in Cagliari, will be the less busy keeper at Harlequin Park, for the home side - without Graham Todd and Stephen Dale through injury - lack Avoca's overall resources which, though, will need to produce sharper finishing touches if they are to retain the trophy.

Indeed, C of I, beaten semi finalists last March, are probably the most prolific side in the country. Against local opposition they have registered 21 goals in two matches and with Alastair Dunne likely to return to action tomorrow, there cannot be any hope of Skerries surviving.

The most robust and tightest first round tie of the Nissan sponsored competition is sure to be the Dublin clash of Glenanne and Pembroke Wanderers. In a test of wits between coaches Aidan Kidney and Jonathan Cole, the Mills Cup holders, notably through the probing of Alan Browne, Graham Shaw and Roly O'Donoghue, will attempt to upset Pembroke's sophistication. Yet the visitors can probably at least earn another draw at Tallaght if Francis de Rosa, Peter Young and Ian Battle hold firm at the back.