Domestic Season Review | Age-Grade Rugby

It has been another incredibly exciting season for age-grade rugby throughout the province.

We take a look back at the winners from 2024/25, highlighting the schools and clubs and that stood out this season.

Schools – Boys

Christian Brothers College were this years Pinergy Munster Schools Boys Senior Cup champions as they overcame title holders Presentation Brothers College in tantalising fashion.

PBC lead the way at half time with a score line of 0-10 but the Sidney Hill natives bit back with tries from captain Charlie O’Shea and Leo O’Leary putting them four points ahead as the clock ticked into the red.

A last minute penalty from O’Shea all but sealed the deal for the side as they now go level, once again, with rivals PBC at 32 titles a piece.

The Munster Schools Junior Cup headed to West Cork for the first time ever as Bandon Grammar overcame 19-time winners Christian Brothers College 20-12 in Virgin Media Park

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Glenstal Abbey took home the Munster Senior Plate while Ardscoil Rís were winners of the Junior edition.

Hamilton High School were Senior Cup Qualifiers for the very first time while Clonakilty Community College took the Junior spot.

The McCarthy Cup A went to PBC as they overcame CBC, the B cup then went to Kinsale Community College while the C cup went to Clonakilty Community College.

The Mungret Cup was won by Hamilton High School while Clonakilty Community College won the shield.

CBC retained the Barry Cup while PBC reclaimed the Kidney Cup title.

CBC also took home the Bowen shield while the Giles Shield went to CBS Thurles.

Castletroy College got their hands on the Limerick City Senior Cup.

The Cleary Cup went to Ardscoil na Mara Tramore, the O’Brien Cup was won by St. Flannan’s College – Ennis and Patrician Academy Mallow took home the O’Gorman Cup.

Schools – Girls

Sacred Heart Clonakilty did the illustrious double-double this season as they went back-to-back in the Pinergy Munster Schools Girls Senior and Junior Cups.

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In the Senior Cup they overcame 2023 champions St. Annes to retain their crown while in the Junior Cup they defeated fellow West Cork outfit Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai 7-19 to clinch a second title.

Clubs – Boys

Bandon were crowned Munster Clubs Boys U18.5 Cup champions after a dominant display against city side Old Christians.

Christians took the lead early on with a try from Brian Cassin but Bandon responded with two tries of their own from Cillian O’Flynn and Daniel Coughlan.

A penalty from Old Christians brought the score line to 10-14 at half time.

Bandon came out all guns blazing for a hard fought second half. The West Cork side eventually took the win with a score line of 13-28.

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Waterpark were crowned Munster Clubs U16 champions after a rip roaring final five minutes of play saw them defeat the West Cork outfit by just four points.

The Waterford natives gained momentum quickly in the opening 15 minutes as they crashed over twice.

But Clonakilty stayed in the fight and in the 24th minute they touched down through Ewan Knowles after they blocked down a clearance kick from Waterpark from behind their try-line.

Running into the sheds at half time Waterpark led 5-14.

Clon showed a burst of class in the early stages of the second half scoring four unanswered tries.

A penalty for the West Cork side in the 48th minute gave them a solid 22-14 lead going into the final 10 minutes.

But Waterpark weren’t finished as centre Caolan Johnston crashed over in the 56th minute after a dominant carry from Euo Leslie Kwakuvi.

Rua Clancy sealed the deal for the Waterford side as the scrum half sniped over the line from the back of the ruck. Oscar Flanagan added the extras bringing the final score to 22-26 .

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Elsewhere in Munster Crosshaven won the U18 Plate, Fermoy the U18 Bowl and Dungarvan the U18 Development Cup.

Bandon were U16 Plate winners, Youghal won the U16 Bowl and Clonmel took the U16 Development Cup.

Clubs – Girls

Last season’s U14 cup winners took their success up a level as they were crowned winners of the U16 Cup after a tight match-up with West Cork side Clonakilty.

It was a tit for tat battle but it was the Limerick side that remained dominant as they secured the win with a score line of 31-20.

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Clonakilty completed a season trifecta as the Munster U18.5 Cup joins the League Cup and the Schools Cup in the trophy cabinet in the West Cork town.

A dominant display from last year’s U16 winners saw them fight a off a strong Ballincollig outfit in an all Cork final that ended 50-15.

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