The Munster Rugby 2008 Avonmore Milk School Cups

The launch of the Munster Rugby’s 2008 Avonmore Milk School Cups took place in Cork today.

Munster players Tomás O’Leary, Denis Fogarty, Denis Hurley and Billy Holland were on hand at Presentation Brothers College Cork, current holders of both the Senior and Junior Cup titles, to offer their support at the official launch of the Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Cup competitions which are approaching the final stages.

At the launch Glanbia, under their Avonmore Milk brand, announced details of their 2008 Munster Rugby Schools Cup sponsorship. The sponsorship package includes the Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior, Junior and Youths Cups as well as the Avonmore Milk Fair Play and Performance Awards.

Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Kieran O’Connor, Glanbia Sponsorship Manager said, "Glanbia are delighted to continue our association with Munster Rugby who have been fantastic ambassadors not alone for Rugby in Ireland but for all Irish sport. As a pure food company with a wide range of dairy and nutritional products we believe our involvement with both schools and youth’s rugby in the province is an ideal mix in promoting a healthy lifestyle for our youth through sport and healthy diet. The association of our Avonmore Milk brand with Munster Schools and Youths has been very successful over the past three seasons and we are eagerly looking forward to the 2008 Schools Cup Campaign and our continued sponsorship of the Munster Youths and Schools Teams".

Speaking at the launch, Nicholas Comyn, Vice President Munster Branch said, "Munster Rugby are delighted once again to welcome Avonmore Milk as sponsors of two of the most important areas for the development of Munster Rugby namely Schools and Youths Rugby. The Senior and Junior Schools Cup sponsorship which we launch today is vital in maintaining the tradition and profile of these great Cup Competitions in Munster.

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.

The Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup competition remains the premier age grade competition in Munster and the highlight of the schools rugby calendar. The battle to capture this title remains as hard fought as it was when the competition started in 1909. Last year’s beaten finalists Christian Brothers College meet Ardscoil Ris in the first quarter final on Feb 5th, with Rockwell College and Castletroy College also vying for a place in the semi finals on the same day. Defending champions PBC face a tantalizing quarter final against the 2006 champions St. Munchin’s College on Feb 6th, with qualifiers Glenstal Abbey School facing Crescent College Comprehensive on the same day after the Limerick side defeated Midleton College 6-5 in the qualifier.

The Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Junior Cup U15 competition continues to be the breeding ground for Munster’s young talent. As per recent years, 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. Round One quarter final qualifying games taken place this week, with the second rounds taking place from the 19th-21st February next.

As in previous seasons the Avonmore Milk Fair Play and Performance Awards will be presented to the Schools who the judges select for playing rugby in a fair, competitive and sporting manner. Along with their Award the winning school will also receive a Sports Equipment Voucher.

Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Cups

ALL matches KO at 3pm.

Venues are ALL subject to change due to weather conditions etc. For latest details check https://www.munsterrugby.ie/ and click on the schools section in the Domestic Game page.

Avonmore Munster Schools Senior Cup
Quarter Finals

6th Feb 2008
A: Presentation Brothers College v St. Munchin’s College, Musgrave Park

5th Feb 2008
B: Rockwell College v Castletroy College, Clonmel RFC

6th Feb 2008
C: Glenstal Abbey School v Crescent College Comprehensive, Venue tbc

5th Feb 2008
D: Christian Brothers College v Ardscoil Ris, Temple Hill

Semi Finals

27th Feb 2008
Winner A v Winner B – venue tbc

2nd March 2008
Winner C v Winner D – venue tbc

Avomore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup Final

16th March 2008
Venue confirmed after semi final

Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Junior Cup
Quarter Finals

1st Feb 2008
A: Glenstal Abbey School v Rockwell College – venue tbc

30th Jan 2008
B: Crescent College Comprehensive 3 Castletroy College 12 – Old Crescent RFC

31st Jan 2008
C: St. Munchin’s College v Presentation Brothers College – venue tbc

30th Jan 2008
D: Christian Brothers College 17 Ardscoil Ris 7 – Musgrave Park

Round 2: 19th- 21st Feb 2008
Q1: Winner A v Crescent College Comprehensive
Q2: Castletroy College v Loser C
Q3: Winner C v Ard Scoil Ris
Q4: Christian Brothers College v Loser A

Semi Finals: 4th & 5th March 2008
Semi Final 1: Q1 v Q3
Semi Final 2: Q2 v Q4

Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Junior Cup Final

12th March 2008