The 2022/23 Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup competition has been launched and gotten underway this week.

For more than 110 years, the Munster Schools Senior Cup has been a marquee event in the Munster Rugby calendar, and an integral part of Munster Rugby DNA, often laying the pathway for school players to pursue a career with the province.

The prestigious competition has been the first step for many elite players, including Ronan O’Gara and Peter Stringer – who represented Presentation Brothers College, Cork – and Conor Murray and Keith Earls who played with St. Munchin’s College.

This will be the first uninterrupted season since the pandemic began in 2020 and, for the second year in a row, Pinergy is #PoweringTheDifference for some of Munster Rugby’s future stars.

Enda Gunnell, CEO of Pinergy, who are proud to be powering the development and sustainability of the game for young players throughout the region, was joined by captains and coaches from across the province for the launch of the Munster’s premier academic rugby competition at the Mardyke Arena, home of UCC Rugby.

“We are extremely proud to enter our second year as sponsors of the Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup,” he said.

“It is a great honour to support grassroots rugby across Munster and see players from across the province as they compete for that famous medal and the coveted Garrett Fitzgerald Cup.”

“As we know, schools’ rugby in Munster is a key pathway to club, provincial and international rugby. We are delighted to play our part in creating a sustainable rugby future for these players and we hope that they can create great memories for life in whatever path they take.”

“Throughout Munster, the Munster Rugby Schools Senior Cup carries significance as one of our premier age-grade competitions,” added Colm McMahon, Head of Rugby Development at Munster Rugby.

“With the support of Pinergy, our players within the schools’ competition are given the platform to showcase their talents. They represent their schools proudly with The Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup providing them with an opportunity to grow and develop throughout their academic years. We’re really looking forward to seeing the teams and the players perform throughout the season.”

The latter stages of the Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup will be streamed live by the Irish Examiner website.