Garda College Claim Title

The Garda College Rugby team recently won Division 1 of the Colleges League and in doing so became the first Munster side to achieve the feat in a number of years.

This was the Garda College's second year back in competitive action and the first year in Division 1 along with the standard bearers Carlow IT and Athlone IT, who have won the league between them for the past 7 years. Other teams in Division 1 include DIT, DCU, the University of Ulster with the Garda College outfit the sole Munster representatives.

Having suffered a loss at home to Carlow IT in the opening game in early October, it was a great achievement from the Gardaí to respond with four wins with bonus points along the way, including a win over Athlone IT.

That victory put the Garda College into pole position heading into their final game away to DCU at the end of November.

They duly delivered the required win and ran out 38-10 winners with the scoreboard not reflecting how tight the game was with two late Garda College tries putting a gloss on the scoreline.

There is a strong Munster representation on the team led by scrum half and captain Gavin Heuston (Kilfeacle RFC) and outhalf David Shannon, formerly Skibbereen RFC.

In the pack, Mick Dunphy John Barry and Jake Considine of Clanwilliam FC were prominent all season. Rob Donovan of Doughlas RFC was influential in the last two games when deployed as an inside centre while Gary Crowe of St Senan's RFC made a number of appearances in the second row. Kevin Seymour of Nenagh Ormond RFC missed out through injury.

Ivor Wilkinson and Andrew Lacey of Clanwilliam FC were involved in the coaching team.

The IRFU Colleges competitions are co-ordinated by Students Sports Ireland and the IRFU with the league competitions taking place before Christmas and the cup competitions in February and March.