Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí is a secondary school located in Bantry and is one of many success stories in West Cork rugby over recent years.
Rugby within the school has gone from strength to strength, going from a relatively small programme to one capable of competing against some of Munster's most established rugby schools.
Their most recent success saw the school secure the Munster Schools Girls Junior Cup as they defeated Sacred Heart Clonakilty 15-12 at Virgin Media Park in April.
We sat down with Director of Rugby Peter Cawley and Girls Head Coach Laura O’Sullivan, to learn more about the school’s journey and the growth of rugby in West Cork.
Coming from a rugby background himself, Cawley jumped at the chance to join team’s background staff. Speaking about his initial involvement he said: “I joined the school in 2015 and got involved in the rugby set up from the get-go. To begin with we would have competed in the Munster Emerging School blitz days. These were development games that allowed us to see the level we were at and to allow players to learn and grow in a safe yet competitive environment.
“From there we entered the Bowen Shield and nowadays we compete in both the Mungret Cup and Shield competitions.”
The school’s boys’ sides boasts teams at both Senior and Junior level as well as a first year development side and an U15 boys team.
“Our journey has been long and hard, but we have had a lot of success," says Cawley. "One that stands out to me the most to me was in 2023 when we beat Glenstal Abbey in the Senior Cup. This was the very first time a ‘B’ school had beaten an established ‘A’ school in the competition.
“It was a fantastic game where we came from being four or five points down to win.”
Being ingrained in the local community is vital for rugby to thrive in the school. Cawley went on to tell us more about the major role Bantry Bay RFC plays in the school and how important that connection is with the club.
“Our success is based on, from my perspective anyway, the collaboration with the local club. The alignment with the club is very important as not only does it help the players grow and develop but it helps the club’s growth too.”
Guidance from Bantry Bay RFC was key for teacher Laura O’Sullivan as she became involved in coaching at the school.
“There would have been several different teachers involved through the years and then I would have come on board around 2018," she explained.
“Damien Hicks was integral in getting me involved as he would have been the club CCRO (Club & Community Rugby Officer) at the time. He encouraged me to join Bantry Bay RFC where I was mentored by one of their coaches and the rest is history.
“Much like our male counterparts, we also began our journey at the Munster Emerging School blitz days. From there as we began to grow and compete, we entered the Junior and Senior Cup competitions.”
Speaking about her standout moment so far, O’Sullivan said: “It has to be winning the Junior Cup last season, we had been close so many times, so to go all the way last year just meant the world to the girls for all the hard work they put in throughout the year.”
With participation continuing to grow within the school we asked both coaches how important it is for the kids in the school to have the opportunity to play rugby.
Cawley said: “I have always said that in rugby there is a place on the team for everyone and at the end of the day, once you see a smile on their face coming off the field then that is the most important thing.
"We aim to create the best possible environment for students to enjoy the game and we are hugely grateful to all of the volunteers who give up their time along with the support of school management."
O'Sullivan echoed this sentiment: “It is so important that we offer girls in the school the opportunity to play rugby. Not only does it help them in terms of motor and skills development, but it helps them to build confidence which is so important for them as they make their way into adulthood.”
With the support systems in place in the school, there is no doubt that rugby will continue to grow and thrive in this small West Cork town.