Galway’s Colaiste Iogniad are seeking a record third successive Connacht senior schools cup title when they come head to head with Sligo Grammar in Wednesday’s decider at the Galway Sportsground.
Champions for the last two years, the Jes are expected to face a tough challenge against an in-form Sligo Grammar who have been targetting this year’s campaign. The two schools met in last year’s final and the Grammar will be looking to avenge that defeat.
This week the Grammar proved their determination when blitzing Gallen Community College by 45 - 13 in the semi-final.
Three tries before the break proved crucial as Gallen had been well in contention, leading 6 - 5 against the wind, before Sligo’s flanker Tom Callaghan got in for a try. Before the break schools’ international Aaron Spring and Gary McConnell had established a 24-6 interval lead.
Sligo will be looking to Spring, alongside fellow backrow player No 8 Danny Qualter, and prop Tom Ferrari, to lead the charge against the Jes on Wednesday.
However the lure of a first three-in-a-row is a huge motivation for the Jes, who can never be discounted.
In the junior cup favourites Calasanctius College advanced to the final with a hard-fought 3- 0 win over Summerhill. Fullback Darren Hennessy bagged the only points with a difficult penalty.
