U – 14’s
The U – 14 rugby team participated in the Rory Cleary Perpetual Rugby Cup. They played schools from Doon, Cahir, Fermoy and Tipperary . In its first year, the competition was a fantastic success and the players certainly gained valuable experience, which will stand to them next year when they join the junior ranks.
U – 15’s are Munster Champions!
This was a remarkable year for our U – 15 rugby team after their victory in April over St. Clemants of Limerick in the King Cup final. The scenes of joy and jubilation in Bruff that day as captain Greg Carroll lifted the cup will live long in the memory of those in attendance.
Their season began in September with the Munster Schools’ Development League. The team played some quality opposition including Bandon Grammar School , Newtown School , Midleton College , St. Clemants, St. Nessans and Villiers School (all from Limerick ). The league gave the team invaluable experience and was the ideal preparation for their cup campaigns.
The Junior Cup commenced in December and the lads got off to a great start with a convincing win over Limerick rivals Villiers School . In the second round, again against Limerick opposition, the high School were beaten narrowly by St. Nessans. Even at this stage in the season, the improvement in the team’s performance was evident.
The King Cup began in January with a home game against the Abbey School , Tipperary . The High School ran out winners by 15 points to nil. In the quarter final they travelled to Roscrea to play Colaiste Pobail. This was a tougher encounter but the High School prevailed and won by 15 points to 7. In the semi final the High School were on the road again this time to Ballincollig to play Colaiste Choilm. Despite the bigger opposition, the High School won a famous victory, beating their Cork opponents by 7 points to 5.
And so to the King Cup final. What else is there to say? It was a match stacked with outstanding performances. The team spirit and commitment was fantastic. All the hard work at training during the year paid off.
The talent of players moving up to the senior team is very promising indeed The lads can now look to next year with excitement and ambition.
U – 18’s
The U – 18 team also participated in the Munster Schools Development League, the Senior Cup, the O’ Brien Cup and the South East Munster Senior Cup and met some very tough opposition along the way. The team were unable to reproduce the form of the previous year but it is always difficult to match such achievements. Nonetheless, the team can be proud of their efforts representing the school on the rugby field. We bid farewell to our 6 th year players who have shown great dedication to the game while students in the High School. There is no doubt that we will see some of them again wearing the Clonmel, Munster or Ireland jerseys.
Yet, the future is bright as many of the juniors’ progress to the senior team. We will also have two Munster youths next year in David Foley and Barry Molloy and their experience will help bring on the younger lads.
Roger Cleary Rugby and French Scholarship 2005
On Wednesday 25th May 2005 a new rugby and French scholarship was presented for the first time to a High School student.
The ‘Roger Cleary Rugby and French Scholarship’ has been established by Kieran Cleary & Co. Solicitors in memory of the late Mr. Roger Cleary who taught in the High School for many years and retired in 1964.
The recipient of the inaugural scholarship was 5th Year student Richard Power from Powerstown. Richard plays full back on the High School senior rugby team and was delighted to receive the scholarship.
Richard spent ten days in August at the French Sports and Language Centre in Soustons in the south west of France, near Biarritz. He received professional rugby coaching and tuition in French for the duration of his stay.
The centre boasts sports facilities of the highest quality and is used by international teams. As well as rugby, Richard also had the opportunity to partake in numerous other activities including surfing, sailing and mountain biking.
The following is Richard’s account of his time in France:
“On the morning of 18th August I set off for Dublin airport. I met with the other 16 Irish students and we flew to Biarritz. The flight took a little over an hour and a half. Upon arrival we had a two-hour bus journey to our HQ in Soustons. I was taken aback by the amazing facilities: a gym; a soccer pitch; two rugby pitches; canoeing facilities; sail boats and more! After the introductions, we finished off our long day with a game of touch rugby and then retired to our tents. I shared a twelve-man tent with six other guys from Ireland and England.
At 7.30 the next morning we were called for breakfast. Afterwards, we were brought to the classrooms. After a basic French understanding test, we were divided up into our French classes.
At 10.45 we went for our first proper rugby training session. We began with handling and passing drills under the supervision of Nigel Osborne and Billy Davison. This was followed by fitness training for half an hour until we broke for lunch.
The food had its good days and its bad days. The French like their cheese and fish while the Irish (as they found out) were not too keen on these foods. However, the daily three course meals kept us satisfied, while the rugby training and matches kept us in shape.
We started our second rugby session by dividing up into teams for the week. We began with 7-a-side, progressed to 10-a-side and then finished off our week with 15-a-side. The coaching was fantastic and the methods we learned really work.
When we weren’t playing rugby or learning French we were surfing, sailing or kayaking during the day. We received professional lessons for each sport and had a great time on the lake. During the week we also spent time at a water theme park and at the beach.
At night we had lots to do, everything from DVDs to markets, from rugby games to bull rings. On the final night we were treated to a fireworks display.
On our final day we flew home from Lourdes and arrived in Dublin at 4.30pm.
I really enjoyed myself and made lots of friends. The rugby was brilliant and I would advise anyone who is interested to apply for the scholarship next year. I would like to thank the Cleary family and the High School for providing me with this wonderful experience.”
– Richard Power.
The ‘Roger Cleary Rugby and French Scholarship’ is open to High School students in 5th Year who study French, and who played and continue to play rugby for the school. The scholarship will be awarded on an annual basis following an interviewing process. Details of the 2006 scholarship will be available from the school in January.
It is envisaged the scholarship will encourage more and more students to appreciate the importance of languages and team sports in the High School.