The Connacht School's Rugby Senior Cup is an annual rugby union competition for secondary schools affiliated to the Connacht Rugby Branch of the IRFU.
 Connacht Rugby Schools Senior Cup | |
| Sport | Rugby Union |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1913 |
| No. of teams | 9 (season 2023-24) |
| Most recent champion(s) | Sligo Grammar School (2024) |
| Most titles | Garbally College 48 |
History
editThe Connacht School's Rugby Senior Cup is an annual rugby union schools competition organised by the Connacht Rugby Branch of the IRFU. Boys, usually of seventeen or eighteen years of age, compete for the cup with rival schools from within the province of Connacht. The competition was first held in 1913, with Garbally College, Ballinasloe the first Champions.
The first round matches are typically played towards the end of January, with the final being played in the Galway Sportsgrounds the week before Saint Patrick's Day.
Historically, Garbally College have been the most successful school in the competition lifting the cup 48 times, while Coláiste Iognáid have been the most successful team since the turn of the millennium winning eight titles in years 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2016 and 2017.
The current holders (2024) are Sligo Grammar School who defended the title won in 2022 by consecutively beating Marist College, Athlone by 28-07 on 22 March 2023, and again 29-18 on 13 March 2024 in the Galway Sportsgrounds.
Competition structure
editThe Connacht Rugby Schools Cup is a three tier competition;
Senior Cup [Senior A Cup]
editThe premier competition played by the strongest rugby playing schools in the region. Current competition format is two pools [A & B] of three teams playing each other round robin. The Winners & Runner Up in each pool proceeding to the Semi-Finals.
- Winner Pool A vs Runner Up Pool B
- Winner Pool B vs Runner Up Pool A
The two other tiers cater for schools who cannot consistently compete at Senior Cup level by reason of playing population or experience.
In total 30 Schools representing all five provincial counties participated in the various Connacht Rugby Senior Schools Cups in 2019.
Connacht Senior Development Cup [Senior B Cup]
editIs the Second Tier Competition for schools with established Rugby programs but who due to lower playing numbers or do not have the high level of population experience to consistently compete at Senior Cup Level.
Nine schools compete in three pools of three, leading to semifinals and a final.
Connacht Senior Emerging Cup [Senior C Cup]
editIs the Third Tier Competition for Schools who have recently introduced Rugby programs within their schools.
Nine schools compete in three pools of three, leading to semifinals and a final.
The target is for schools to establish themselves within the lowest tier initially, and progress through to the highest tier.
Roll of honour
edit| School | Location | Outright Titles | Shared Titles | Runners-Up +1 | Total Finals +2 | Last Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Garbally College
|
Ballinasloe, County Galway | 47 | 0 | 7 | 54 | 2020 |
 Colaiste Iognaid (The Jes)
|
Galway, County Galway | 14 | 0 | 4 | 18 | 2017 |
 Sligo Grammar School
|
Sligo, County Sligo | 13 | 0 | 15 | 28 | 2024 |
 St. Josephs College (The Bish)
|
Galway, County Galway | 13 | 1 | 4 | 18 | 1994 |
 Marist College
|
Athlone, County Westmeath | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 2013 |
 Ranelagh College, Athlone (2)
|
Athlone, County Westmeath | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1923 |
| Galway Grammar School (2)
|
Galway, County Galway | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1941 |
| Collegians (2)
|
Galway, County Galway | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1951 |
 St Sarans College (1)
|
Ferbane, County Offaly | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2004 |
 Wilsons Hospital
|
Multyfarnham, County Westmeath | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1966 |
 Clifden Community School
|
Clifden, County Galway | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1975 |
| Summerhill College
|
Sligo, County Sligo | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | N/A |
 CBS Roscommon
|
Roscommon, County Roscommon | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | N/A |
 Portumna Community School
|
Portumna, County Galway | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | N/A |
- (1) Now Gallen Community School.
- (2) School now defunct.
Cup final results [Senior A Cup]
edit1910s
edit- 1913 Garbally College
- 1914 Garbally College
- 1915 Garbally College
- 1916 Garbally College
- 1917 not played
- 1918 St Joseph's Patrician College, Galway
- 1919 Ranelagh, Athlone
1920s
edit- 1920 not played
- 1921 not played
- 1922 St Joseph's Patrician College, Galway
- 1923 Ranelagh, Athlone
- 1924 Coláiste Iognáid, Galway
- 1925 Coláiste Iognáid, Galway
- 1926 Garbally College
- 1927 Coláiste Iognáid, Galway
- 1928 Coláiste Iognáid, Galway
- 1929 Garbally College
1930s
edit- 1930 St Joseph's Patrician College Galway
- 1931 Garbally College
- 1932 Collegians/St Joseph's Patrician College, Galway
- 1933 not played
- 1934 not played
- 1935 not played
- 1936 Garbally College
- 1937 Garbally College
- 1938 Garbally College
- 1939 Garbally College
1940s
edit- 1940 Garbally College
- 1941 Galway Grammar School
- 1942 Garbally College
- 1943 not played
- 1944 not played
- 1945 not played
- 1946 not played
- 1947 not played
- 1948 not played
- 1949 Garbally College
1950s
edit- 1950 Garbally College
- 1951 Collegians
- 1952 Garbally College
- 1953 Garbally College
- 1954 St Joseph's Patrician College, Galway
- 1955 Garbally College
- 1956 Garbally College
- 1957 Garbally College
- 1958 Garbally College
- 1959 St Joseph's Patrician College, Galway
1960s
edit- 1960 St Joseph's Patrician College, Galway
- 1961 Sligo Grammar School
- 1962 Sligo Grammar School
- 1963 Sligo Grammar School
- 1964 St Joseph's Patrician College, Galway
- 1965 St Joseph's Patrician College, Galway
- 1966 Wilson Hospital
- 1967 - Not played due to UK & IRL Foot & Mouth epidemic.
- 1968 - Not played due to UK & IRL Foot & Mouth epidemic.
- 1969 Sligo Grammar School
1970s
edit- 1970 St Joseph's Patrician College, Galway beat Garbally College by 6–0
- 1971 Garbally College
- 1972 Garbally College
- 1973 Garbally College
- 1974 Garbally College
- 1975 Clifden Community School beat Garbally College by 10–6
- 1976 Garbally College
- 1977 Marist College, Athlone beat Sligo Grammar School
- 1978 Garbally College
- 1979 Coláiste Iognáid, Galway
1980s
edit- 1980 Sligo Grammar School
- 1981 St Joseph's Patrician College, Galway
- 1982 Garbally College
- 1983 Garbally College
- 1984 Garbally College
- 1985 Coláiste Iognáid, Galway beat St Joseph's Patrician College, Galway
- 1986 Garbally College beat Colaiste Iognaid, Galway
- 1987 Garbally College
- 1988 Garbally College beat St Joseph's Patrician College, Galway) 9 – 6 Sportsground Galway; Garbally, Balfe 6, Carey 3)
- 1989 Garbally College beat St Joseph's Patrician College, Galway) 18 – 6 at Galwegians RFC, Galway
1990s
edit- 1990 Garbally College beat Sligo Grammar School
- 1991 Garbally College
- 1992 Garbally College
- 1993 St. Joseph's College, Galway
- 1994 St. Joseph's College, Galway beat Sligo Grammar School
- 1995 Garbally College beat Sligo Grammar School
- 1996 Garbally College beat Sligo Grammar School
- 1997 Garbally College beat Sligo Grammar School
- 1998 Garbally College beat St. Saran's College, Ferbane
- 1999 Sligo Grammar School beat St Joseph's Patrician College, Galway by 24–5
2000s
edit- 2000 Sligo Grammar School beat St. Saran's College, Ferbane by 24–10
- 2001 Garbally College beat Portumna Community School
- 2002 Colaiste Iognaid, Galway beat Garbally College
- 2003 Sligo Grammar School beat Garbally College
- 2004 St. Saran's College, Ferbane beat Sligo Grammar School by 20–0
- 2005 Colaiste Iognaid, Galway beat Sligo Grammar School by 16–3
- 2006 Colaiste Iognaid, Galway beat Sligo Grammar School by 13–10
- 2007 Garbally College beat Marist College, Athlone by 25 – 18
- 2008 Colaiste Iognaid, Galway beat Marist College, Athlone by 10 – 7
- 2009 Colaiste Iognaid, Galway beat Sligo Grammar School by 10–3
2010s
edit- 2010 Sligo Grammar School beat Colaiste Iognaid by 26–11
- 2011 Colaiste Iognaid, Galway beat Sligo Grammar School by 23–13[1]
- 2012 Marist College, Athlone beat Sligo Grammar School 12–0[2]
- 2013 Marist College, Athlone beat Garbally College by 23 – 11[3]
- 2014 Sligo Grammar School beat Garbally College 10–9 (after 10–10 draw)[4]
- 2015 Garbally College beat Summerhill College, Sligo, by 19 – 18[5][6]
- 2016 Colaiste Iognaid, Galway beat Garbally College by 16–15[7][8]
- 2017 Colaiste Iognaid, Galway beat Summerhill College, Sligo by 13-7.[9][10]
- 2018 Garbally College beat Colaiste Iognaid, Galway by 45-26[11]
- 2019 Garbally College beat CBS Roscommon by 26-6[12]
2020s
edit- 2020 Garbally College beat Sligo Grammar School by 14-12 [13][14]
- 2021 - No competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2022 Sligo Grammar School beat Colaiste Iognaid, Galway 15-10.[15]
- 2023 Sligo Grammar School beat Marist College, Athlone 28-07[16]
- 2024 Sligo Grammar School beat Marist College, Athlone 29-18
Other cup competitions
editConnacht Senior Development Cup Results [Senior B Cup]
edit2010s
edit- 2009–10 St Josephs College, Galway beat Summerhill College, Sligo
- 2010–11 Rice College, Westport
- 2011–12 St Josephs College, Galway beat Clifden CS by 14–12.
- 2012–13 St Endas College, Galway beat Clifden CS by 10–07.
- 2013–14 HRC Mountbellew beat Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, An Cheathru Rua
- 2014-15 St Josephs College, Galway beat Clifden CS by 7–0.[17]
- 2015-16 Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, Carraroe beat Gortnor Abbey, Crossmolina by 41-19.[18]
- 2016-17 St Muredach's College, Ballina beat Presentation College Headford by 18-12.[19]
- 2017–18 Presentation College Headford beat Gortnor Abbey, Crossmolina by 43-32.[20]
- 2018–19 Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, Carraroe beat Gallen CS by 25–19.[21]
2020s
edit- 2019-20 St Muredach's College, Ballina beat St Josephs College, Galway by 15-5 .[22]
- 2020-21 No Competition due to Covid19 Pandemic
- 2021-22 Colaiste Einde Galway beat St Pauls Oughterard by 23-20.[23]
- 2022-23 St Josephs College, Galway beat Athlone Community College by 24-7
- 2023-24 Presentation College, Athenry beat Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, Claregalway by 36-27
Connacht Senior Emerging Cup Results [Senior C Cup]
edit2010s
edit- 2016-17 Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone beat St Joseph’s, Foxford by 13-10[24]
- 2017–18 Presentation College, Athenry beat Jesus & Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone by 31-22[25]
- 2018–19 St. Jarlath's College, Tuam beat St. Raphael's College, Loughrea by 10-5[26]
2020s
edit- 2019-20 St Joseph’s, Foxford vs Gallen CS - match not played - Trophy Shared
- 2020-21 No Competition due to Covid19 Pandemic
- 2021-22 Presentation College Headford beat Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh by 19-0.[27]
- 2022-23 Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, Claregalway beat Sancta Maria College, Louisburgh by 38-7
- 2023-24 St Gerald's College, Castlebar beat Rice College, Westport by 53-27
Galway City Senior Cup
edit- 2006 Coláiste Iognáid
- 2007 Coláiste Iognáid
- 2008 Coláiste Iognáid beat Calasanctius College, Oranmore
- 2009 Coláiste Iognáid
- 2010 Coláiste Iognáid
- 2011 Coláiste Iognáid
Other competitions
editSenior B Cup
edit- 2009-10 St Joseph's Patrician College
- 2010-11 Rice College
- 2011-12 St Joseph's Patrician College
- 2012-13 Coláiste Einde
- 2013-14 H.R.C Mountbellew
- 2014-15 St Joseph's Patrician College
- 2015-16 Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin
- 2016-17 St Muredach's College
- 2017-18 Presentation College Headford
- 2018-19 Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin
- 2019-20 St Muredach's College
- 2020-21 Cancelled due to Covid 19
- 2021-22 Coláiste Einde beat St. Paul's, Oughterard 23-20
- 2022-23 St Joseph's Patrician College beat Athlone Community School 24-7
Senior League
edit2000's
edit- 2003–04 Sligo Grammar School beat Garbally College
- 2004–05
- 2005–06
- 2006–07 Garbally College beat Coláiste Iognáid by 22–0
- 2007–08 Coláiste Iognáid beat Marist College Athlone by 17–8
- 2008–09 Coláiste Iognáid beat Sligo Grammar School by 8–6
- 2009–10 Sligo Grammar School beat Coláiste Iognáid by 22–0
2010's
edit- 2010–11 Coláiste Iognáid beat Calasanctius, Oranmore 26–11
- 2011–12 Marist College Athlone beat Sligo Grammar School
- 2012–13 Marist College Athlone beat Sligo Grammar School by 13–0
- 2013–14 Garbally College beat Sligo Grammar School 11–6
From 2014-15 onward the league competition winner is determined as the team finishing top after all rounds are completed.
- 2014–15 Garbally College Runner-up: Sligo Grammar School
- 2015–16 Sligo Grammar School Runner-up: Garbally College[28][29]
- 2016–17 Sligo Grammar School Runner-up: Coláiste Iognáid[30][31]
For year 2017-18, the winner is determined after a playoff final between the winners of Two Group sections.
- 2017–18 Garbally College beat Coláiste Iognáid by 34–7[32]
- 2018-19 Garbally College beat Marist College, Athlone by 32-15
- 2019-20 Sligo Grammar School beat Garbally College by 21-12[33]
2020's
edit- 2020-21 No Competition due to COVID-19 Restrictions.
- 2021-22 Sligo Grammar School beat Garbally College by 25-13 [34]
- 2022-23 Sligo Grammar School beat Summerhill College by 10-3
- 2023-24 Sligo Grammar School beat Marist College, Athlone 29-18 (replay)
Senior and Junior Cup Doubles
edit- Garbally College (25), last 2019.
- St Joseph's, Galway (The Bish) (4)
- Sligo Grammar School (2)
- Ranelagh College (1)
- Marist College, Athlone (1)
- St Jarlath's College, Tuam (1)
Senior Cup and League Doubles
edit- 2008 Coláiste Iognáid
- 2009 Coláiste Iognáid
- 2010 Sligo Grammar School
- 2011 Coláiste Iognáid
- 2012 Marist College, Athlone
- 2013 Marist College, Athlone
- 2015 Garbally College
- 2018 Garbally College
- 2019 Garbally College
- 2022 Sligo Grammar School
- 2023 Sligo Grammar School
- 2024 Sligo Grammar School
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Mackenzie, Linley (10 March 2011). "Coláiste Iognáid grab their sixth title". The Irish Times.
- ^ "Coopers star as Marist College claim title". The Irish Examiner. 15 March 2012.
- ^ "Back-to-back titles for balanced Marist". Irish Independent. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
- ^ "Sligo's late rally secures cup glory in Connacht". Irish Examiner. 28 March 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ^ "Keller the hero as Garbally take title Garbally College 19 Summerhill College 18 Connacht Schools Snr Cup final". Irish Independent. 17 March 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- ^ "Masterful Simon Keller boots Garbally College to 45th title". Irish Examiner. 19 March 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
- ^ Linley, MacKenzie (16 March 2016). "Jes win Connacht Schools Rugby Cup". Galway Advertiser.
- ^ "Codyre holds nerve to take glory for Jes". Irish Independent. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
- ^ "Coláiste Iognáid Win Top Oil Senior Cup - Connacht Rugby". Connacht Rugby. 15 March 2017. Archived from the original on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
- ^ Small, Daragh. "Moment of brilliance the difference as Coláiste Iognáid claim back-to-back Connacht Senior Cups". The42. Retrieved 15 March 2017.
- ^ "Garbally are kings of Connacht again after Senior Cup success - Connacht Rugby". Connacht Rugby. 21 March 2018.
- ^ GBFM, Sport (13 March 2019). "Double glory for Garbally on Schools Cup finals day". Galway Bay FM. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ "Three-in-a-row for Garbally as they survive second-half Sligo onslaught to clinch Connacht Schools Senior Cup". independent.ie.
- ^ MacKenzie, Linlley. "Garbally show resilience to retain their Connacht crown". The Irish Times.
- ^ "Connacht Rugby - Match Report: Sligo Grammar VS Colaiste Iognaid". Connacht Rugby. 15 March 2022.
- ^ "Connacht Rugby - Twitter". Twitter. Connacht Rugby. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ "Top Oil Senior Development Final 14/15 - Connacht Rugby". Connacht Rugby. 27 March 2015.
- ^ "Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin Win Top Oil Senior Dev Cup in Thriller - Connacht Rugby". Connacht Rugby. 27 April 2016.
- ^ "Mayo leads the way in schooling new players". Independent.ie. Retrieved 8 March 2018.
- ^ "Headford see off Gortnor in 11 try thriller to claim Senior Development Cup - Connacht Rugby". Connacht Rugby. 21 March 2018.
- ^ GBFM, Sport (13 March 2019). "School's Cup Rugby Final Day – Live". Galway Bay FM. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
- ^ "Connacht Rugby - Community - Fixtures & Results". Connacht Rugby.
- ^ "Connacht Rugby - Match Report: St. Pauls Oughterard Vs Colaiste Einda". Connacht Rugby. 15 March 2022.
- ^ "Enniscrone Win Senior Emerging Cup - Connacht Rugby". Connacht Rugby. 22 March 2017.
- ^ "Five tries from Athenry claims Senior Emerging Schools Cup Final - Connacht Rugby". Connacht Rugby. 15 March 2018.
- ^ "Connacht Rugby - Community Fixtures Results". www.connachtrugby.ie. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
- ^ "Connacht Rugby - Match Report: Pres Headford V Sancta Maria". Connacht Rugby. 15 March 2022.
- ^ "SG Rugby - Season 2015/2016". Sligo Grammar School Website.
- ^ Ward, Tony. "2015/16 Connacht School-by-school guide". Irish Independent. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
- ^ "League Table - Connacht Rugby". Connacht Rugby. Retrieved 2 January 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Rugby League Cup Winners | Sligo Grammar School". Sligo Grammar School. 7 December 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
- ^ "Connacht Schools Senior Rugby League 2017-18". Retrieved 16 November 2017.
- ^ School, Sligo Grammar (12 December 2019). "Grammar wins League against Garbally College today. Score: 21-12. You're Fantastic!!#sgsachievers". @SligoGrammar.
- ^ "Sligo Grammar win's 2022 Senior League". Twitter. Sligo Grammar.