Schools Connections – The Legacy Continues

As the Munster Schools Senior Cup competition, sponsored by SEAT, gets started in its 105th year we take a look at some interesting links to today’s current crop of players and coaches.

Title holders Crescent College Comprehensive will seek their second two-in-a-row which they last achieved in 1990, captained by Mike O’Meara. The Dooradoyle side is made up of 13 players from last year’s senior side which includes Ireland schools player Mike O’Donnell, and with eight Munster representative players also in its armoury Head Coach Chris Cullinan will be confident his outfit have the depth and experience to go all the way.

Rockwell College, who in last year’s final were denied their fourth three-in-a-row title will put their disappointment behind them under their Head Coach, former Munster Youths and Munster U20 player Mark Butler.

The Munster Schools Head Coach spearheads Rockwell’s quest for a 26th title with the assistance of forwards coach, former Munster and Ireland player Denis Leamy. Munster Schools player Bill Johnston, whose brother David (full-back) won the cup in 2012 will wear the 10 jersey for the blue and whites. Brendan Quinlan, prop, is a cousin of former Munster and Ireland player Alan Quinlan while Sean O’Connor in the second-row is a cousin of former Munster and Connacht player Brendan O’Connor as well as brothers John and Denis Fogarty.

Rockwell Captain, Aidan Moynihan, who plays in the centre, is an ex-Cork minor footballer and is part of Rockwell’s senior side for the third year in a row.

Cork rivals CBC and PBC share the spoils for most Senior Cup wins at 28 apiece. The Sidney Hill side last won the cup in 2009 led by former Munster Academy player Brian Hayes. PBC last claimed the trophy a year later under the shared captaincy of David O’Mahony and Munster Development hooker Niall Scannell.

Paul Kiernan, son of former Munster and Ireland centre Michael Kiernan will lead PBC’s campaign, while Mick O'Driscoll after a career total 207 caps for Munster lends his considerable experience to the coaching ticket.

CBC’s Alex Penney, son of Munster Head coach Rob will feature in the pack while former Ireland full-back Kenny Murphy will no doubt be supporting his nephew Jamie Murphy, who is also the grandson of Munster, Ireland and British Lion Noel Murphy.

Stephen Keogh's cousin Brendan Keogh is prop on the St Munchin's team along with Keith Wood's nephew, number 8 Ben Kilkenny. and second-row David Begley, a Clare minor hurler . The Limerick school seek their sixth title with the assistance of forward’s coach Ger Slattery, who recently claimed his first RaboDirect PRO12 cap for Munster against Connacht, and is the last St. Munchin’s captain to lift the trophy back in 2006.

The Castletroy side is coached by Jeremy Staunton's brother John and includes two of Peter Clohessy's nephews Noel Clohessy and Mark O’Meara in its ranks. Mark McCarthy, son of former Munster winger Derek McCarthy, will dictate from the out-half position and will no doubt look for support from his older brother Diarmuid who was part of the Castletroy team that won the trophy for the first time in 2008.

Former Munster back Mossie Lawlor takes charge of Ardscoil Rís assisted by Shannon Coach James Hickey. Lawlor, in his inaugural year as Senior Head Coach, will be very familiar with his squad who moved up the ranks with him from Junior Cup level. It was that era when his side reached two consecutive Junior Cup finals narrowly losing out to CBC and Crescent College Comprehensive.

Lawlor’s side will host Paul Huntley’s Glenstal Abbey School in their first round fixture at Rosbrien. Last time Glenstal reached a final was in 1970 – beaten by Rockwell and will set out to claim their first title in the history of the Munster Schools Senior Cup.

Munster Senior Cup Fixtures 2014 First Round

Tuesday 28th January:
Rockwell v Castletroy, Clanwilliam Park, 3.00;

Wednesday 29th January:
P.B.C. v St. Munchin's, Musgrave Park, 3.00;
Crescent College Comp. v C.B.C, Corbally, 3.00;

Thursday 30th January
Ardscoil Ris v Glenstal Abbey School, Rosbrien, 3.00;