Schools Focus | Rockwell College Open New Sports Pavilion

Rockwell College recently opened their new Sports Pavilion, named the Fr Aidan Lehane CSSp Pavilion.

The €1.25 million complex includes eight changing suites for male and female students with showers and toilet facilities together with a fitness suite, medical and referee suites and storage facilities.

The pavilion extends to 510 sq metres (5,500 sq ft) in a modern single-storey construction designed by Richard Rice FRIAI, Architect (Healy & Partners Limerick) and past pupil of the college.

Rockwell has a strong rugby tradition and 22 past pupils have represented Ireland including legendary British & Irish Lion and Limerick man Mick English and Kilkenny’s Willie Duggan who also captained Ireland.

Since the Ryan brothers became internationals in 1897, the distinguished list of past pupils who claimed international honours include Cork man, Bertie Hanlon, who was a part of Ireland’s first Grand Slam winning team, Waterford’s John Moroney and more recently Tipperary man, Denis Leamy, and current Leinster Assistant coach, John Fogarty, as well as Dave McSweeney, Tim McGrath, Pat McGrath, Frank Byrne and Paul McNaughton.

Patrique Kelly also has the distinction of becoming the first female international from Rockwell when she represented Ireland Women in 2000.

Rockwell has also provided over 30 schoolboy internationals and these include current Munster squad members, JJ Hanrahan and Bill Johnston, who made his first Guinness PRO14 start in last weekend’s 30-26 win away to the Cheetahs in South Africa.

Image: Bill Johnston in action for Rockwell College during the school’s 2015 Munster Schools Senior Cup winning campaign.

Munster Academy hooker Diarmuid Barron, who made his Guinness PRO14 debut away to Cardiff in September, and Academy lock Sean O’Connor also represented Rockwell during their school days.

In addition, Rockwell College has won 26 Munster Schools Senior Cups and in this decade has contested five finals winning three with the last success in 2015.

Rockwell College Principle, Audrey O’Byrne, said: “Our new Sports Pavilion will be a huge addition to Rockwell College and will facilitate our students in utilising the extensive sporting activities that are available on campus.

“I would also like to express my gratitude to both the Rockwell College Union and past pupils together with parents of students who have raised close to €1.25 million to date towards this projects as without their support this project would not be possible.

“Past pupils from the USA, UK, France and throughout the island of Ireland have contributed, and are continuing to contribute to the project, and it reflects past pupils’ close bond with their alma mater.”