It may be ‘just’ a school tournament but for a swathe of business and political society, the Bank of Ireland Senior and Junior Cups represent an opportunity to relive their youth and dust down their old school scarves.
Gonzaga College enters this year as the Senior Cup Champions for the first time in their history after their 35-31 victory over Blackrock College at the RDS last March.
The Ranelagh school will embark on the defence of their first crown against a qualifier from the Vinnie Murray Cup.
Beaten finalists Blackrock have been handed a similar first-round test in the form of another qualifier.
Clongowes Wood will play Belvedere in a clash of the fourth and second-most successful teams in the competition.
St Michael’s against St Vincent’s Castleknock is another one likely to draw a big crowd.
Newbridge past-pupil Sam Prendergast was on hand at last night’s draw to share a personal experience of “unbelievable memories” leading to the final that never was in 2020 when Newbridge and Clongowes Wood College shared the title.
“I am still interested in playing that final if anyone is interested,” he teased.
Worse again, the up-and-coming out-half was denied a second bite at the cherry when the 2021 edition was canceled due to the pandemic.
Sport for Business will host a new Conference on our agenda in 2024 with the staging of a Children in Sport focused event in the first half of the year. If you are interested in being a part of this contact rob@sportforbusiness.com
