Club Notes | De La Salle Take The Spoils At Fifth Annual John O’Neill Memorial Blitz

The fifth annual John O’Neill Memorial Blitz kicked off earlier this month as seven schools from the East Munster area descended on Waterpark RFC

John O’Neill was a Rugby Development Officer with Munster Rugby for many years who sadly passed away in 2020.

O’Neill was a pivotal figure in helping increase participation and grow the sport for all ages in the Waterford and East Munster region.

Unlike other Emerging Schools blitzes these winners would walk away with the John O’Neill perpetual shield. The standard of play was high and the participating teams all managed to embrace the extra element of competition while maintaining the general ethos of the development blitzes.

Pool one saw the first year teams from St. Augustine’s, Cashel Community College, Waterpark College and De La Salle College all face off against one another.

While in Pool Two it was St. Ailbes, Colaiste Muire Thurles, Thurles CBS and a second Cashel Community College side.

Each team played a total of three games each with the top team in the two pools advancing to the final.

This year saw De La Salle College Waterford meet Colaiste Muire Thurles in the final. It was an end to end battle which saw the Waterford outfit come out on top.

A number of our Rugby Development staff were also on hand on the day to help with the smooth running of the event.

Check some of the best photos from across the day below.

A view of all of the players that took part in this year’s blitz

A view of the day’s action

A view of the day’s action

A view of the day’s action

Some of our hard working Rugby Development staff that were on hand to help with the day