Calasanctius College, Oranmore, celebrated its second successive Connacht Junior Schools Cup victory in yesterday’s final at the Galway Sportsground.
The Oranmore school, which has risen up the ranks since introducing rugby at the famed basketball nursery, were deserving winners over new finalists Rice College, Westport, by 17 - 5.
A super start from Calasanctius put them in front early on when they kept control from the kick-off and drove forward across the line for a 5-0 lead. By the 19th minute they had ground out another score thanks to their physically stronger pack, and before the break fullback Darren Hennessy added a third which he converted.
Despite being rocked from the kick-off Rice College proved spirited oppostion, if lacking in power and physicality. Fullback Keelan Dever crossed for their only try, and they did well to hold Calasanctius in a scoreless second half.
In the senior cup Colaiste Iognaid were denied a third successive crown when falling to favourites Sligo Grammar by 26 - 11. The Jes were ahead by 11 - 8 at half time courtesy of a try from captain Aaron Conneely and two Robert Butler penalties, but Grammar fulfilled their seasonal promise with all the scores in the second half - despite losing two players to the sinbin in the opening half, and a third before full time. Peter Laffey, Scott Oates and man of the match David Butler were the try scorers.
