Waterpark In Line For Double

The Bank of Ireland Munster U18 and U16 Clubs Cup competition is reaching its climax with Waterpark set to defend their U16 title against West Cork side Bandon on St. Patrick’s Day, 17th March, along with the U18 finalists at Thomond Park Stadium.

Waterpark’s U16s will be competing for a three in a row title which Club Youth Officer David Dawson said will be a tough encounter but his side are well prepared for the challenge.

“We were very slow getting into a stride early in the year and I think the more the competition went on the stronger the team has evolved”.

“There’s a couple of new coaches in place who have made a huge difference but I’ve no doubt the final is going to be a very tough match. That said, it’s a great opportunity for Waterpark and the lads are relishing the opportunity of playing in Thomond Park.”

The Waterford club will also feature in this weekend’s U18 semi final against their neighbours Dungarvan with the winner set to face Bruff, who last weekend overcame Dolphin to book their place in the final.

“We’ve met Dungarvan on numerous occasions at various age grade levels and the two sides have always been very evenly contested with just one score separating them. I have no doubt Saturday’s semi final will be no different so at this stage we’re not looking any further than that fixture.

“Our U18 squad is a combination of players that came from the Under 16s last year and the 16s from the previous year so, like Dungarvan, our underage is progressing well and both sides will be very evenly matched.”

On a historic occasion Waterpark last won the underage double, when it was graded U17 and U19, in season 2010/11 which saw Munster backrow Jack O’Donoghue captaining the U17 side.

O’Donoghue was this week named on Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad to face Italy and Dawson said the club are very proud and is a further testament of all the work done at underage level at Waterpark.

“When Waterpark did the double that year with Jack on the 17s, his brother David was on the U19s. His younger brother Nick is on our U18s and will be playing a big part at the weekend. We are very proud of Jack having witnessed his progression and development from an underage player to a now 6 Nations Squad member.

“As Chairman of the Youths section within Waterpark I think the real story has been the success of the youth competition format which was introduced this season. Great credit must go to Munster Rugby Secretary Joe Murphy for driving through the change and to Ralph O’Leary, Competitions Secretary for organising the committee which, in my view, has revitalised youth rugby across the province.”

“All clubs have benefitted by the number of matches that they have played and hopefully the end result will be that we continue to improve and produce players like Jack O’Donoghue for Munster and Ireland."

Bank of Ireland Munster U16 Clubs Cup Final, 17th March, Thomond Park Stadium, ko 2.15pm
Bank of Ireland Munster U18 Clubs Cup Final, 17th March, Thomond Park Stadium, ko 4pm

Former Waterpark youths player Jack O'Donoghue (far right) pictured with his brothers David and Nick following last year's Bank Of Ireland Munster U16 final at Thomond Park Stadium.