Avonmore Munster Schools Cup Launch

Munster Senior players Conor Murray, Mike Sherry and Tommy O’ Donnell were on hand today to launch The Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior and Junior Cups for 2012 at the University of Limerick. Rockwell College are the current Senior Cup holders and Crescent College Comprehensive are the Junior Cup holders for the past two seasons.

There will be a new Junior Cup trophy on offer this season.  The old Cup which was introduced in 1932 has been retired to the Munster Rugby Museum. Castletroy College sponsored a new cup in memory of the late Eamonn Mulcahy a teacher at the school and coach to the Junior Cup side that won in 2008.

Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, Kieran O’Connor, Glanbia Sponsorship Manager said, “Glanbia are delighted to continue our association with Munster Rugby who have been fantastic ambassadors, not alone for Rugby in Ireland, but for all Irish sport.  As a pure food company, with a wide range of dairy and nutritional products, we believe our involvement with both schools and youth’s rugby in the province is an ideal mix in promoting a healthy lifestyle for our young people through sport and healthy diet.  The association of our Avonmore Super Milk brand with Munster Schools has been very successful over the past seven seasons and we are eagerly looking forward to the 2012 Schools Cup Campaigns and our continued sponsorship of the Munster Schools Teams.   Also it is great to see so many the former Schools players of recent years now playing with Munster including the young players Conor Murray, St Munchins; Billy Holland, CBC; and Ian Nagle, Glenstal following in the footsteps of current greats – Paul O’Connell; Ard Scoil Ris and  Ronan O’Gara; PBC.

Speaking at the launch, John Hartery, Junior Vice President of the Munster Branch said, “Munster Rugby are delighted once again to welcome Avonmore Milk as sponsors in one of the most important areas for the development of Munster Rugby namely Schools Rugby.  The Senior and Junior Schools Cup sponsorship which we launch today is vital in maintaining the tradition and profile of these great Cup Competitions in Munster.

The Munster Schools Senior and Junior Cups remain the most prestigious competitions in schools rugby in Munster, and never fail to catch the imagination of rugby fans all over the province, with the involvement of old rivalries and new squads creating exciting opportunities to see the rugby stars of the future in action”.

Speaking on behalf of Munster Schools, Chairman, Damien Philpott said, “The Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior Cup competition remains the premier age grade competition in Munster and the highlight of the schools rugby calendar.  The battle to capture this title remains as hard fought, as it was when the competition started in 1909.

The Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Junior Cup U15 competition continues to be the breeding ground for Munster’s young talent.  As per recent years, the last eight schools in the competition will have at least two matches in three rounds of quarter finals, rather than a straight knock out “

This year again Avonmore Super milk will also be sponsoring a Supermilk Super Hero – Man of the Match Award, for the Senior Schools Cup Final (won last year by Rockwell’s Brian Haugh) the winner will receive a Munster Rugby Stores voucher along with a special Super Hero trophy.

Also following its success last year Avonmore Milk will also sponsor a Super Fan award and voucher for the Senior Cup Final in March.

Avonmore Milk Munster Schools Senior & Junior Cup Fixtures 2011/12