Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Kieran O’Connor, Glanbia Sponsorship Manager said, "On behalf of Glanbia & Avonmore Milk I would like to say how delighted we are to once again be involved as sponsors of the Avonmore Milk Munster Youths U17 and U19 Cups which have been an outstanding success over the last few years promoting under age rugby in clubs right across the six counties of the providence.

As a pure food company and as sponsors of the Avonmore Milk Munster Youths and Schools Rugby we feel that it is an ideal fit for us to promote a healthy diet along with a healthy lifestyle for the youth of Munster. We would like to thank all the coaches, trainers and parents for the tremendous role they play in preparing and supporting all the various youth teams week in week out.

Last season’s Avonmore Milk Youths Cup Finals day in Thomond Park Stadium was a brilliant days rugby with Waterpark RFC winning both U17 and U19 Cups and hopefully this year’s cup campaigns and finals will create as much excitement”.

Speaking at the launch, Denis Kelleher, President Munster Branch said, “As President of Munster Branch it has been a privilege to be associated with Munster Youths competitions over the last three years. I want to underline the appreciation of the Branch for the endeavours of so many people involved in Youth rugby in all our clubs.

It has been an honour to have sponsors of the caliber of Avonmore involved in our Youth competitions over many years. Many of our first team have come from the Youths over the last while and with the competitive nature of all our Youths Competitions I am sure many more will make the top grade over the next few seasons.

To all the players, coaches and youth officials I wish you well and promise our full support in your endeavours for the rest of the season.”

Denis Griffin, Chairman of the Munster Youths Committee added “The Avonmore Youth Cup is now entering the final stages this season, this competition gives teams from throughout the province the opportunity to compete at the highest level. It is a competition that is open to any club no matter what size, it gives players the opportunity to compete with their home club for a provincial title. The standard of rugby is consistently improving and We all look forward to an exciting finals day in March. Last season’s finals at both U 17 and U19 were marked by two competitive finals which were wholly entertaining for all who attended”

At the launch Kieran O’Connor, Glanbia Sponsorship Manager, announced that Avonmore will be presenting the winners of both U17 and U19 cup competitions with a €500 voucher towards rugby equipment for their Clubs and also an Avonmore Milk Super Hero Man of the Match Award for each final.

Denis Kelleher, Munster Presient, Munster players  Ian Nagle, Tom Gleeson and Scott Deasy and Youths players Josh Kelleher, Killian Crotty and Josh Deady from Midleton RFC.

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Tom Gleeson, Nuala Hennigar, Hon. Secretary Munster Youths, Ian Nagle, Olan Allen Competitions Manager and Scott Deasy.