Emerging Schools Blitz Finals Begin Tomorrow

Tomorrow sees the culmination of many months’ work as the Marks & Spencer Emerging Schools blitzes, which have been taking place all over the province thorughout the season, have their finals days in Cork and Limerick on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

These blitzes have allowed schools either not traditionally involved in school tournaments, or looking to establish themselves further within the Munster Rugby school system, give their pupils a chance of competitive action, and the opportunity for those in the Northern section to play at the famous Thomond Park.

Four qualifying blitzes have taken place from Ennis to Waterford and everywhere in between as the top teams in each section qualified for the finals day following the several days of extremely competitive rugby across the year.

The Emerging Schools blitzes put the emphasis on running rugby, with uncontested scrums and no lifting in the lineouts, as the U15 players continue to learn and grow into the game in their school colours. The games are 11-a-side with rolling substitutions and games lasting 15 minutes a side with no breaks.

The action kicks off at on Wednesday at the PBC grounds in Wilton for the South and the day after Thomond Park will host the Northern section, both beginning at 11am, as a fantastic programme comes to an end for another year with the final games; each team look to capture glory for their schools, adding a unique rugby trophy to their cabinet.

Wednesday sees the two groups of Waterpark, Carrigaline, Scoil Iosef Abbeyfeale, Mitchelstown, and Skibbereen on one side, and Pobail Scoil Bantry, Midleton CBS, St Pats, Schull and Crosshaven in the other group, face off in their respective groups before the top team in each group face off against each other in the final at the end of the day.

On Thursday the action switches to Thomond, where there are both U15 and U17 competitions taking place on the main and back pitch.

The U15 section sees Nenagh, Croom, St Patrick’s, Rice College, St Caimans and Cashel CC contest for honours across two sections, while a round robin of Nenagh, St Patrick’s and SMI will see a final between the top two at the end of the day to decide the U17 title.

Both days are set to be fantastic occasions and Munster Rugby would like to wish all those participating the best of luck, and invite all to come and see some of the brightest young talent in action over the two days.