Anyone know if any of the Roscrea lads are affiliated with Connacht? Usually strong ties in that school?

GTTC wrote: Anyone know if season ticket holders get into the Schools Finals for free?

Don't think so. I have never asked. Just given the few Euro, helps the schools rugby in a small way

Anyone know if season ticket holders get into the Schools Finals for free?

rossie wrote: congratulations to roscommon cbs on reaching the connacht junior cup final. They are only playing game a few years. In fact I think this is their first team to play game from first year.

2nd year in a row in the final. Hopefully they can push on at senior level and with creggs and other clubs around in coming years

rossie wrote:

ormond lad wrote:

rossie wrote: doesn't the ' schools ' status only apply to certain schools that are considered rugby schools by the irfu?
afaik there are only 8 rugby schools in munster for instance or has rule/ classification of a rugby school changed for representative purposes changed since my day?

Yes it does. There are 8 top grade schools in Munster. A schools. There is 7/8 B schools and then the rest are C or Associate.
Leinster has the same system except the schools work up from Section A to B to C...

how many are considered A schools in connacht?

None. They don't really do those qualifications with the Connacht schools

congratulations to roscommon cbs on reaching the connacht junior cup final. They are only playing game a few years. In fact I think this is their first team to play game from first year.

ormond lad wrote:

rossie wrote: doesn't the ' schools ' status only apply to certain schools that are considered rugby schools by the irfu?
afaik there are only 8 rugby schools in munster for instance or has rule/ classification of a rugby school changed for representative purposes changed since my day?

Yes it does. There are 8 top grade schools in Munster. A schools. There is 7/8 B schools and then the rest are C or Associate.
Leinster has the same system except the schools work up from Section A to B to C...

how many are considered A schools in connacht?

rossie wrote: doesn't the ' schools ' status only apply to certain schools that are considered rugby schools by the irfu?
afaik there are only 8 rugby schools in munster for instance or has rule/ classification of a rugby school changed for representative purposes changed since my day?

Yes it does. There are 8 top grade schools in Munster. A schools. There is 7/8 B schools and then the rest are C or Associate.
Leinster has the same system except the schools work up from Section A to B to C...

sea_point wrote: I can't see this as anything other than a cost saving decision. Youths and Schools are virtually the same squad every season, in terms of player experience and development I don't see how depriving them the valuable experience of playing the other Provinces Schools side (which are actually independent of their Youths/Clubs side) will help the development of our players.

Yes we don't want to see our team going out and getting hockeyed, but you learn as much (if not more) by losing as you do by winning. And if we're serious about our young players planning for professional rugby careers then they need to see at first hand where they are in the scheme of things surely by being in proximity to the best players (Schools or Clubs) for the other provinces?

Don't see it as cost saving. The squads are virtually the same but with the desire by IRFU to move youths interpros earlier in the season which allows clubs get their provincial players back earlier something had to give. But surely being competitive is also necessary here. Does this decision potentially start the process of Ireland having two 18 national sides of the best 50 or so players not just a schools and clubs side. We have never had our best under 18 team compete in the FIRA competition. Could this decision by Connacht help start discussions to see that happen in the near future?

rossie wrote: doesn't the ' schools ' status only apply to certain schools that are considered rugby schools by the irfu?

There are just 5 Senior Cup schools in Connacht this year. The schools team in recent years has included players from outside these schools, and even from Roscrea, who compete in Leinster. No idea what the setup is for the other provinces.

doesn't the ' schools ' status only apply to certain schools that are considered rugby schools by the irfu?
afaik there are only 8 rugby schools in munster for instance or has rule/ classification of a rugby school changed for representative purposes changed since my day?

Don't see it as a cost decision at all. I think that it is based on a numbers game, we do not have the same as other provinces when it comes to schools players and the majority will all be associated with clubs, even if they are in a rugby school. I think that it is a very pragmatic, practical decision which I am sure is based on us being competitive and getting the most out of our young player pool. Eric will know what's best and will have sorted out with the ties at IRFU.

Bayern wrote: Concern as Connacht disband schools squad

Last Tuesday a meeting was held in Galway between the schools representatives and new Connacht domestic rugby manager Eric Elwood.

Those involved in running schools rugby were informed that, from next season, the CBIRFU will not be competing in the schools interprovincial series.

Inteead, they will be fielding one squad under the banner U-18s as part of the youths tournament.

Confirmation from the Connacht Branch followed, informing those on the ground voicing concerns which at least warrant debate, that "the decision the Branch have made at this time is to play under the banner of Connacht U-18 and play in the youths competition. An open mind will be kept to regularly review this situation"

While clearly the bottom-line objective is to do what is best for Connacht rugby going forward, it is the unnecessary haste surrounding this decision, without proper debate or notification, that rankles with those currently working on nursing the next generation of Robbie Henshaws through.

Timing is everything, we know, but that concern is heartfelt.

I can't see this as anything other than a cost saving decision. Youths and Schools are virtually the same squad every season, in terms of player experience and development I don't see how depriving them the valuable experience of playing the other Provinces Schools side (which are actually independent of their Youths/Clubs side) will help the development of our players.

Yes we don't want to see our team going out and getting hockeyed, but you learn as much (if not more) by losing as you do by winning. And if we're serious about our young players planning for professional rugby careers then they need to see at first hand where they are in the scheme of things surely by being in proximity to the best players (Schools or Clubs) for the other provinces?

Concern as Connacht disband schools squad

Last Tuesday a meeting was held in Galway between the schools representatives and new Connacht domestic rugby manager Eric Elwood.

Those involved in running schools rugby were informed that, from next season, the CBIRFU will not be competing in the schools interprovincial series.

Inteead, they will be fielding one squad under the banner U-18s as part of the youths tournament.

Confirmation from the Connacht Branch followed, informing those on the ground voicing concerns which at least warrant debate, that "the decision the Branch have made at this time is to play under the banner of Connacht U-18 and play in the youths competition. An open mind will be kept to regularly review this situation"

While clearly the bottom-line objective is to do what is best for Connacht rugby going forward, it is the unnecessary haste surrounding this decision, without proper debate or notification, that rankles with those currently working on nursing the next generation of Robbie Henshaws through.

Timing is everything, we know, but that concern is heartfelt.

Big win for Galwegians away at Ballymena today 25-17, going strong in the race for promotion to the top flight.

connachtexile wrote: Will be interesting to see how many of the Roscrea boys end up at Connacht next season. It looks like a special team this year.

Any team that beats Blackrock is a good team, special teams go on and win the cup ! Think that Clongowes will win it myself.