Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Cups launched

7th February 2006 By Munster Rugby

Munster players Frankie Sheahan, Denis Fogarty and Jeremy Manning were on hand to lend their support to the launch of the Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior and Junior Cup

“MUNSTER SCHOOLS PREPARE FOR FINAL CUP STAGES”

Munster players Frankie Sheahan, Denis Fogarty and Jeremy Manning were on hand at the launch of the Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior and Junior Cups at Presentation Brothers College in Cork today to offer their support to the competitions which are at quarter final stage. Sheahan, himself a past pupil of PBC, Fogarty a past pupil of Rockwell College, and Manning who played New Zealand Schools representative rugby, took time out to offer their advice to some of the young players taking part in this year s competitions. The Munster Schools Senior and Junior Cups remain the most prestigious competitions in schools rugby in Munster, and never fail to catch the imagination of rugby fans all over the province, with the involvement of old rivalries and new squads creating exciting opportunities to see the rugby stars of the future in action.

AVONMORE MILK MUNSTER SCHOOLS SENIOR CUP

The Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup is the premier age grade competition in Munster and the highlight of the schools rugby calendar. A long standing sporting tradition, the competition has run since 1909.

The Avonmore Milk Munster Senior Cup quarter finals get underway this week, with what promises to be a number of keenly contested clashes. On Wednesday at Musgrave Park, defending champions Presentations Brothers College Cork will mount a strong defence of their title when they play Glenstal Abbey School. At the same time in Thomond Park, last year s semi finalists Crescent College Comprehensive will play Ard Scoil Ris, with both sides buoyed up with the promise of a semi final place. Midleton College face a massive challenge but are sure to be fired up when they face last year s defeated finalists Christians Brothers College on Thursday at Midleton RFC. Midleton College were defeated in the final of the Mungret Cup last year, but this year made amends and defeated Castletroy College to become the B School qualifier. Next Sunday, last year s semi finalists and the 2003/4 champions St. Munchin s College, will play Rockwell College in Thomond Park. The semi finals are due to take place on Wednesday 1^st March and Sunday 5^th March.

NEW LOOK AVONMORE MILK MUNSTER SCHOOLS JUNIOR CUP

As the premier under 15 schools competitions in the province, a new look Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Junior Cup competition has been introduced for this season, with a revitalised format ensuring that the last eight schools in the competition will have at least two matches in three rounds of quarter finals, rather than a straight knock out. Three games in the new look quarter finals have already taken place, with defending champions Ard Scoil Ris suffering a 25-10 defeat to Crescent College Comprehensive on Wednesday last, and Rockwell College edging a 15-14 win over Presentation Brothers College also on Wednesday. On Thursday, St. Munchin s College defeated Castletroy College 14-3. The last game in the first round takes pace on Tuesday 7^th February, with last year s beaten finalists Christian Brothers College travelling to play Glenstal Abbey School, who qualified for the quarter finals as winners of the Mungret Shield. The quarter final second round games get underway on Wednesday 22^nd February, with Presentation Brothers College and Ard Scoil Ris facing off, and Rockwell College playing Crescent College Comprehensive. The following day, Castletroy College will play the losers of Glenstal Abbey and CBC, with St. Munchin s College playing the winners of the Glenstal/CBC bout.

SPONSORS: AVONMORE MILK

Avonmore Milk has once again come on board as sponsor to the Munster Schools Cup competitions. Kieran O Connor, Sponsorship Manager with Glanbia said that they are delighted with the success of last year s competition, along with the introduction of the Avonmore Milk Fair Play and Performance Awards for both competitions, which will continue this year. He said “the schools cup competition is steeped in history in Munster and every schoolboy aspires to play in a Munster Schools Cup final. Some of the best known talent in Munster, have all proven their worth in Munster Schools Cup competitions. Avonmore are really pleased to be associated with a competition that will ultimately produce another crop of Senior Munster players for the future.”

FAIR PLAY AND PERFORMANCE AWARD

Introduced to the Munster Schools Senior and Junior Cup competitions last season, the ‘Fair Play and Performance Awards’ will again feature in this year s competitions. The awards are aimed at promoting and acknowledging the achievements of school rugby teams beyond the winning of trophies. These awards are given to nominated schools that best fit the criteria that included: quality of play, style of play, team presentation, upholding of standards and making an impact on others. The process involves various partners to schools rugby nominating a school in each of the categories. Last year, the Senior Award was given to Glenstal Abbey School, while at Junior level, Rockwell College were the recipients of this prestigious award. Both schools will receive a specially framed Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Fair Play and Performance certificate, while the school that receives the Senior accolade will also receive a games equipment voucher for 1500 in addition to the certificate.

FIXTURES/RESULTS

AVONMORE MILK MUNSTER SCHOOLS SENIOR CUP

Senior Cup Quarter Finals

Wednesday 8th February: PBC v Glenstal Abbey School, Musgrave Park, 3pm

Wednesday 8th February: Crescent College Comprehensive v Ard Scoil Ris, Thomond Park, 3pm

Thursday 9th February: Midleton College v CBC, Midleton RFC, 3pm

Sunday 12th February: St. Munchin s College v Rockwell College, Thomond Park, 3pm

Senior Cup Semi Finals All games at 3.00 p.m.

Wednesday 1^st March: Winners Crescent College Comprehensive /Ard Scoil Ris v Winners St. Munchin s College/Rockwell College

Sunday 5^th March: Winners PBC/Glenstal Abbey v Midleton College/CBC

AVONMORE MILK MUNSTER SCHOOLS JUNIOR CUP

Junior Cup Quarter Finals