Schools Connections – The Legacy Continues

As the Munster Schools Senior Cup competition reaches the quarter final stage we take a look at some interesting links to today’s current crop of players and coaches.

Rockwell are on course for a three in a row last achieved by CBC, coached by Munster Rugby CEO Garrett Fitzgerald, (1997-99) who went on to capture the title again in 2000.

Paul Kiernan the PBC out-half is a son of former Munster and Ireland centre Michael Kiernan and he leads a backline coached by Kevin Kidney, the son of Ireland boss Declan Kidney, while Mick O’Driscoll after a career total 207 caps for Munster lends his considerable experience to the coaching ticket.

CBC advance to the quarters after a contest that legendary radio commentator Len Dineen (Limerick Live 95FM) might have said was punctuated by the odd ‘shamozzle’ – or a series of same – in their 13-11 win over Castletroy College.

Dineen’s grandson Jack will be in the Crescent team that will oppose Pres in the next stage. Alongside Dineen Crescent will hope to have Greg O’Shea son of former Munster player and U20 Coach Niall and its coaching team includes former Munster Rugby Academy Manager Ian Sherwin.

That Castletroy side is coached by Jeremy Staunton’s brother John and includes international Sean Cronin’s brother Liam and Peter Clohessy’s nephew Noel, in its ranks.

Last time Glenstal reached a final was in 1970 – beaten by Rockwell – and though they took Pres to a replay last year, their opponents on the 20th of this month, Bowen Shield holders, CBC with 11 of the squad that reached last year’s final , look a class apart. Alongside coach Peter Melia they have former Munster backs coach and centre (102 caps) Jason Holland on board to coach the likes of Alex Penney, son of Munster Head coach Rob and Kenny Murphy’s nephew Jamie who is the grandson of Munster, Ireland and British Lion Noel ‘Noisey’ Murphy.

Stephen Keogh’s cousin Brendan Kavanagh is prop on the St Munchins team along with Keith Wood’s nephew number 8 Ben Kilkenny and their downfall will be plotted by former Munster scrum-half the popular Mikey Prendergast, who relies on a colleague from that era Martin McPhail to have the Ard Scoil Ris boys in peak condition.

Former Munster Youths and Under 20 player Mark Butler – recently appointed Munster Schools Head Coach – spearheads Rockwell’s quest for three in a row and he’s brought in his Tipp county colleague Denis Leamy to help with a pack whose number 8 is Aiden Butler a brother of Munster’s Paddy, a pack that includes lock Neville Flynn and wing forward Sonny O’Dwyer, who are both seeking a third Schools Senior Cup Medal.

The eight Munster representatives in the Ireland 23 that defeated Wales in Cardiff last Saturday all came through the Schools system: (PBC – S Zebo, P O’Mahony & R O’Gara); St Munchins – C Murray, K Earls, D Ryan): (Ard Scil Ris – D Kilcoyne); (CBC – D O’Callaghan).

Munster Schools Quarter Final Fixtures
Week-of: Wednesday, 20th February 2013

PBC v Crescent College Comprehensive
Rockwell College v Castletroy College
CBC v Glenstal Abbey School
Ardscoil Ris v Glenstal Abbey School