A final with a difference

Barry Coughlan
MUNSTER and Leinster A Schools  met in an interprovincial game at Musgrave Park this week and it was a break with tradition.

In years gone by, these two teams would have had representatives from a mere handful of well known schools; in Munster probably the likes of Newtown School, Waterpark, Midleton College and Bandon Grammar, in Leinster schools such as St Columba’s, Newpark or Sandford Park.

The ground rules have changed and there were no less than 30 schools represented, with both showing the colours of 15; each and every one of the players looked comfortable in possibly unfamiliar surroundings, and it might even be appropriate for some to go on to play at a higher level.

Leinster backs coach Ian McKinley, whose professional rugby career came to an unfortunate end in recent weeks – he lost the sight of one eye – is a former Leinster Schools A player (St Columba’s) and he welcomed the development where youngsters from a variety of schools not known for their rugby prowess have been given a chance to shine.

“It’s a brilliant development,” he said, “because it gives young lads in the weaker section of schools something to aspire to.  I came through these ranks but only three or four schools formed the backbone of the team.  I suppose it shows that the game is developing through the province and that can only be a good thing.

“Some people have already come through different routes, Shane Horgan and Sean O’Brien for instance; there is now an avenue for many more. You would be surprised too how good some of them are and I’m sure at least a couple of them will come through down the line to make their mark.”

Eoin Cahill of Shannon and Bruff fame is the Munster coach and he explained how so many schools were represented this year. “We contacted all of the schools in the province and asked them to put forward names of the guys they considered to be their best players. We then got together for a couple of trial matches and that’s how we came to produce this team.”
After successive victories over Connacht and Leinster, it appears the schools were totally honest in their appraisal of students and Cahill admitted that a number of players were unlucky to be excluded: “In some cases it was almost a toss of a coin.”

Munster beat Leinster 30-11 although it was a closer issue than the score line suggests for a long spell. Ultimately, the game was won with the aid of a powerful pack and some brilliant individualism.

Cahill delighted in the ability of the pack to show traditional Munster attributes and said: “You could see the forwards played in a traditional Munster manner, getting struck into the opposition from the start, and with certain individuals sticking out by the way they way they took on ball.”

But Munster also boasted a half back partnership of real quality in scrum half Jaco Oosthuysen and Tip Delaney from what could not be described as well known rugby academies – High School CBS Clonmel and Pobalscoil Corca Dhuibhne respectively!

Oosthuysen’s low centre of gravity, powerful frame and exciting turn of speed helped yield him two excellent tries and Delaney, apart from shrewd distribution, proved capable of kicking goals, even under pressure.

Cahill is excited for both and for centre Ben Mitchell, whom he said had played full back in the trials but had settled brilliantly into the middle of the field after being considered, on the basis of height, for the second row!

But the coach is looking further and noted: “We’ve put together a good bunch of guys, we’re expanding our influence and hopefully we’re going to have players come through thick and fast from now on.”

And for the record, Leinster had representatives from: Sandford Park, Ard Scoile Na Tridnoide, St Pats Navan, Newpark, De La Salle Wicklow, Dunshaughlin CC, Abbey CC, Colaiste Bhruide, Mount Temple, Gorey CC, Ashbourne CC, Good Counsel, Wilsons Hospital, St Columba’s and East Glendalough.

Munster’s players came from: Bandon Grammar, Newtown School, Vocational School Abbeyfeale, Midleton College, High School CBS Clonmel, Pobalscoil Chorca Dhbuibhne, Villiers, Limerick, St Annes CC Killaloe, CBS Sexton Street,  John The Baptist, Hospital, Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh, Pobailscoil Youghal, St Nessans CC, De La Salle, Waterford and St Clements.

Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/ym16-4Gj4pM/post.aspx

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