From second-bottom to champions: Ballymena Norstar U13s complete unbeaten title-winning season

One year after finishing second from bottom, Ballymena Norstar U13s have completed one of the most dramatic turnarounds in local youth sport by becoming Inline Hockey Ireland League Champions for 2026 — without losing a single match all season.

The young Ballymena side sealed the title after a tense final-day showdown against the Dublin Flying Ducks in front of a packed crowd in Portadown, capping an unbeaten campaign that has turned the team into one of the standout success stories in local sport this year.

Their remarkable rise has sparked huge pride among players, families and supporters, with the squad transforming from struggling contenders into league champions in just 12 months.

An unbeaten season that changed everything

Norstar’s dominance across the season was reflected in a stunning league record:

• Wins: 10

• Draws: 3

• Losses: 0

The statistics tell the story of a team that refused to be beaten, combining attacking firepower with defensive resilience throughout the campaign.

For many involved with the club, the achievement feels even more significant given where the team stood during the 2024/2025 season, when they finished second from bottom in the league standings.

That dramatic turnaround has now been rewarded with silverware — and an unbeaten championship season few could have predicted a year ago.

Title secured in dramatic Portadown clash

The decisive match against the Dublin Flying Ducks delivered exactly the kind of drama expected from a title decider.

Played in front of a packed rink in Portadown, the atmosphere was described as electric as supporters from both sides roared on every challenge, save and goal.

The Flying Ducks struck first to take an early lead and briefly put pressure on the Ballymena side.

But Norstar responded immediately.

Beau (#29) fired home two rapid goals to swing the momentum back in Norstar’s favour and put the champions within touching distance of the title.

The Dublin side battled back in the second half to level the game at 2-2, setting up a tense closing period with the league crown hanging in the balance.

Norstar, however, held firm under pressure.

Outstanding goalkeeping from Vlad (#39), combined with determined defending across the floor, ensured the Ballymena side secured the draw they needed to officially clinch the championship.

A season that will be remembered

The achievement marks a major moment not only for the players themselves, but also for inline hockey locally, with the success highlighting the growth and strength of youth sport in the Ballymena area.

Supporters and families have followed the squad throughout the season, watching a young team develop into genuine title contenders before completing the job in unforgettable fashion.

The championship-winning squad earned praise for their work ethic, resilience and consistency across the campaign, qualities that ultimately separated them from the rest of the league.

Championship-winning roster

A huge congratulations has been paid to the players who delivered the title-winning season for Ballymena Norstar U13s.

Further celebrations are expected for the team following their league triumph, with the unbeaten campaign already being recognised as one of the club’s standout youth achievements in recent years.

For a team that spent last season near the bottom of the table, lifting the Inline Hockey Ireland League trophy unbeaten represents a remarkable transformation — and one that players, coaches and supporters are unlikely to forget anytime soon.