Schools Finals Programme March 13

junior A and senior A, B, and C boys
schools cup finals
wednesday, 13th march
at dexcom stadium

fáilte go dtí
dexcom stadium
Connacht Rugby and Dexcom
announce historic naming
rights partnership

Chair of schools
On behalf of the Connacht Schools committee
it is my great pleasure to welcome everyone
to Dexcom Stadium today for the 2023/24
Connacht Schools’ Cup and League finals.
Dexcom Stadium will play host to11 Connacht
Schools’ Cup and League finals this year. The
number of schools playing rugby in Connacht
continues to grow with 80 boys schools teams
and 41 girls schools teams participating across
18 competitions.
I wish to express my appreciation to all the
principals, teachers, coaches, and staff in
our schools for their continued support of
the game. Your hard work has not gone
unrecognised. I also wish to thank the
members of the Connacht Rugby Schools
Committee for their work and help over the
past year.
If I may, a brief word to those who will be
proudly donning their school jersey for
the final time: this is only the start of a new
journey. Join a local club or university team
next year. The camaraderie and friendships
forged through rugby will endure long after
you have hung up your boots.
in providing referees and other officials,
without whom, we would not have any games.
Therefore, I urge anyone who loves rugby to
consider further contributing to the game by
taking up the whistle.
I know that today’s finals will provide an
exciting conclusion to the season, and
regardless of the results, I hope everyone
thoroughly enjoys the day, creating magic
memories to last a lifetime in the home of
Connacht Rugby.
Ádh mór oraibh go léir,
Jean Mc Connell
Connacht Rugby Chair of Schools
I would like to thank the Association of
Referees Connacht Branch for their dedication

2022/23 Snapshots

Club and Community
A word from Head of Club and
Community, Joe Gorham
Finals Day at the mecca that is
Dexcom Stadium is the pinnacle
of our Club and School players’
ambitions. It is a day of celebration for
the whole of Connacht Rugby.
It is truly a memorable occasion for all
concerned which, undoubtedly, will
be a source of conversation with your
teammates in the many years ahead.
The sport of rugby allows for all our
players to realise the limits of their
ambitions, it allows us to create lifelong
memories, however, most importantly,
it is the maker of lifelong friendships.
There is no better feeling than to lift
a Cup, Plate or Bowl alongside your
teammates while representing your
club or school. It is all about People and
Place.
Sport also reflects life, in that, with
every cup final there must be a winner

and a loser. Regardless of winning
or losing, the hope is that everyone
involved on Finals Days will have a
quality experience on their big day.
The advent of the new pitch at
Dexcom Stadium has allowed Club
and Community the opportunity to
host additional Cup and League Finals
(male and female/Club & School)
this season. In fact, we are hugely
excited to host over 40 Club & School
finals over the course of the next few
months.
Volunteers, Coaches and Managers
to get you to this day. Volunteers
are the life-blood of our sport and it
would be remiss of me, on this day of
celebration, not to say a huge thank
you to each and every Club & School
Volunteer for the magical work you
put in day in and day out for the cause
that is rugby in Connacht.
Finally, we at Club & Community
rugby wish all our finalists and their
loyal supporters the very best of luck
on the day.
On Finals Days, we must never
forget the huge amount of work and
personal sacrifice put in by all the
Connacht Abú.

senior c cup Final
Referees: mark harrigan, joe o’donnell (ar1), matthew corcoran (ar2)
st. gerald’s college castlebar

senior c cup Final
Referees: mark harrigan, joe o’donnell (ar1), matthew corcoran (ar2)
rice college westport

MANAGEMENT teams
Paddy Durcan
School Co-ordinator
Paddy Flannelly
School Co-ordinator
Simon O’Malley
School Co-ordinator
Paul Coady
Club Coach
Christy Cusack
Club Coach
Robbie Cusack
Club Coach
Shay Cusack
Club Coach
Ken McInerney
Club Coach
Ger Prendergast
Club Coach
David O’Gorman
Team Manager
micheál David glennon
Keogh
Coach
micheál Hugh glennon Ryan
Coach

school Well-wishes!
st. gerald‘s college castlebar MESSAGE
“Best of luck to our Senior Rugby team, from all of us in
St. Gerald‘s DLS College. Gerald‘s Abú!!“
Shaun Burke
Principal
Team Sponsors: Casey Retail Group, Sherry FitzGerald Durcan & Elverys Intersport
rice college westport MESSAGE
“On behalf of myself, the staff and the students of Rice College Westport, I
extend best wishes to our Senior Rugby team as they face St. Gerald’s in the
Connacht Rugby Senior C Final
On this potentially memorable day for our team, I want to express sincere
gratitude for their unwavering dedication, pride and heart every time they
step onto the pitch to represent our school and their club.
A special note of thanks must go to the coaching staff and the supportive
parents who serve as the backbone of our players’ rugby journey.
Your commitment is instrumental in instilling the values of teamwork,
resilience and respect – the very ethos of the sport of rugby.
Wishing our Senior Rugby team the very best in the final.”
Michael Rabbette
Principal Rice College Westport

senior B cup Final
Referees: cian hough, joe o’donnell (ar1), Ciaran harkin (ar2).
Coláiste Bhaile Chláir

senior B cup Final
Referees: cian hough, joe o’donnell (ar1), Ciaran harkin (ar2).
Presentation college athenry

management teams
Seamie kyne
Coach
Pádraic Seán O Tuairisg
Coach
Niall Shiell
Coach
Maeve Hackett
Team Manager
Kieran Concarr
Head Coach
Conor Galvin
Assistant Coach
Claude Geoghegan
Assistant Coach
Henry Lavelle
Assistant Coach
Aoife O’Boyle
Physio
Pauline Rohdich
Mindset Coach
Finn Rohdich
PR Team
Adam Casey
PR Team
Luke Flynn
Multi Media Director
James Cronnelly
Water Boys
Mike O’Rourke
Kit Manager

school Well-wishes!
Coláiste Bhaile Chláir MESSAGE
„As the Connacht Final approaches, we stand united as a school community, behind
each and every one of you. Your commitment, relentless hard work, and dedication
have been nothing outstanding. Throughout the year, you’ve exemplified the true
spirit of rugby, both on and off the field.
To Our Players, thank you for pouring your heart and soul into every practice,
every match, and every tackle. Your leadership has brought our school’s rugby to
new heights. Remember that you carry the hopes and dreams of the entire community
with you onto that field. Play with pride, play with heart, and leave it all out there.
To Corinthians Rugby Club, your generosity in allowing us to use your exceptional
facilities has been invaluable. You have been our partners in success. We extend our
heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support throughout the year. Together,
hopefully we can grow and develop rugby in CBC even further.
To Our Dedicated Coaches, Mr. Seamie Kyne and Mr. Pádraic Ó’Tuairisg, your tireless
efforts have not gone unnoticed. Beyond the plays and tactics, you’ve instilled in
our players the values of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship. Your passion
for rugby and your commitment to nurturing young talent have left an indelible
mark. We owe you a debt of gratitude for shaping not just athletes, but resilient
individuals who carry the spirit of rugby wherever they go.
As the Connacht Final beckons, know that our cheers will echo across the stadium,
carrying the hopes of our entire school. Play with heart, and make us proud.
Bring home the glory!
With unwavering support,
The Claregalway School Community
Presentation college athenry MESSAGE
“Rugby has continued to grow and this panel of players has helped to achieve
this. We are proud of them for the way in which they have approached this season.
They have enjoyed a successful campaign thus far winning the League in December.
They epitomise all that is great about the Pres. They have spent long hours on
the training field and always produced their best on matchday with tremendous
leadership under the captaincy of Orin Burke. They have also had great fun along
the way helped in no small way by their PR team led by Luke Flynn. Undoubtedly they
have created memories that will last a lifetime. A special thanks to our teachers
Ms Hackett, Mr Geoghegan and Mr Lavelle for all their efforts with the students. A
special thanks also to Connacht Rugby for helping with coaching and making their
flagship ground available for the finals.
The Board of Management, staff and students would like to wish our Rugby panel
and the management team of Ms Hackett, Mr Geoghegan and Mr Lavelle the very best
in their attempt to create another piece of history by winning the Connacht League
and Cup in the same season.
Cathal Moore - Principal

Junior A cup Final
Referees: siobhán daly, peter gaughan (ar1), katie kilbane (ar2)
marist college athlone

Junior A cup Final
Referees: siobhán daly, peter gaughan (ar1), katie kilbane (ar2)
sligo grammar school

management teams
Mick Loftus
Coach
Conor Galvin
Coach
Tony Dolan
Coach
Susie Burzawa
Physio
simon galvan
Coach
sean taylor
S&C
jimmy staunton
Coach
raymond byrne
Physio

school Well-wishes!
Marist college athlone MESSAGE
“On behalf of all the pupils, staff and Board of Management of Marist
College, I would like to take this opportunity to wish our Junior and Senior
squads the very best in today’s finals at Dexcom stadium.
Marist College has long had a tradition of sporting excellence and we
pride ourselves in fostering the pursuit of excellence in a sport-for-all
environment. Sport is an integral part of both curricular and extracurricular
activities in the school.
Thank you to all involved in Connacht Rugby, the Schools committee and
the Referees Association for making this a day to remember for all of the
Schools and players involved.
Mr Michael Dermody
Principal
Marist College
sligo grammar school MESSAGE
“I am delighted to have this opportunity to wish Sligo Grammar School Senior 1st XV
and Junior 1st XV every success in the Connacht School Cup Final.
The teams form a very cohesive group who have worked tirelessly and supported
each other throughout their campaigns.
Early morning strength and conditioning coaching, skills training for backs
and forwards, long days away to fulfil the fixture lists would not have happened
without the volunteerism of our coaching staff, Mr James Gavin, Seán Taylor, Jimmy
Staunton, Simon Galvan and physio Raymond Byrne.
There is another group whose input to our schools sporting success cannot be
underestimated and that is our supporters, pupils, parents and alumni. Throughout
our campaigns they have been so proud of the respect they have given to their
opponents and the support they have given to our teams.
Sligo Grammar School is proud of its rugby pedigree and as the seniors walk onto
the pitch with one eye on three consecutive Connacht Senior Championships we are
hoping to open another chapter in the history of rugby at Sligo Grammar School.
Yours truly,
Michael hall
headmaster

senior A cup Final
Referees: cathal roddy, siobhán daly (ar1), peter gaughan (ar2).
Marist College Athlone

senior A cup Final
Referees: cathal roddy, siobhán daly (ar1), peter gaughan (ar2).
sligo grammar school

management teams
Shane Broderick
Team Manager
Graham Heaslip
Forwards Coach
Andy Evans
Backs Coach and S&C
jimmy gavin
Coach
sean taylor
Coach
jimmy staunton
Team Manager
raymond byrne
Physio

school Well-wishes!
Marist college athlone MESSAGE
“On behalf of all the pupils, staff and Board of Management of Marist
College, I would like to take this opportunity to wish our Junior and Senior
squads the very best in today’s finals at Dexcom stadium.
Marist College has long had a tradition of sporting excellence and we
pride ourselves in fostering the pursuit of excellence in a sport-for-all
environment. Sport is an integral part of both curricular and extracurricular
activities in the school.
Thank you to all involved in Connacht Rugby, the Schools committee and
the Referees Association for making this a day to remember for all of the
Schools and players involved.
Mr Michael Dermody
Principal
Marist College
sligo grammar school MESSAGE
“I am delighted to have this opportunity to wish Sligo Grammar School Senior 1st XV
and Junior 1st XV every success in the Connacht School Cup Final.
The teams form a very cohesive group who have worked tirelessly and supported
each other throughout their campaigns.
Early morning strength and conditioning coaching, skills training for backs
and forwards, long days away to fulfil the fixture lists would not have happened
without the volunteerism of our coaching staff, Mr James Gavin, Seán Taylor, Jimmy
Staunton, Simon Galvan and physio Raymond Byrne.
There is another group whose input to our schools sporting success cannot be
underestimated and that is our supporters, pupils, parents and alumni. Throughout
our campaigns they have been so proud of the respect they have given to their
opponents and the support they have given to our teams.
Sligo Grammar School is proud of its rugby pedigree and as the seniors walk onto
the pitch with one eye on three consecutive Connacht Senior Championships we are
hoping to open another chapter in the history of rugby at Sligo Grammar School.
Yours truly,
Michael hall
headmaster

Upcoming Finals
SUNDAY, 24th MARCH
11am: bank of ireland Men’s Junior Plate FINAL
1:30pm: bank of ireland MEN’S Junior Cup Final
SUNDAY, 7th APRIL
11am: bank of ireland Women’s Plate Final
1:30pm: bank of ireland Women’s cup final
SUNDAY, 14th APRIL
11am: Bank of Ireland u14 girls cup final
12:30pm: Bank of Ireland u16 girls cup final
2:30pm: Bank of Ireland u18 girls cup final