Marist bid for first Connacht Schools Senior Cup in 12 years
Marist College's rugby team is bidding to win the Connacht Schools Senior Cup for the first time since 2013 as they prepare to face defending champions Sligo Grammar School in the final today (Wednesday).
With work still ongoing in Dexcom Stadium, Galway (formerly known as the Sportsground), the Senior 'A' decider will be held in Ballina RFC (2pm) and will form a double header with the Senior 'B' final (Presentation College, Athenry vs Coláiste Bhaile Chláir) at 11am.
With Sligo Grammar having taken home the trophy in 2022, 2023 and 2024, Marist will be looking to dethrone the Sligo side and bring the trophy down the N4 to Athlone.
These two sides met earlier in the season when they produced a thrilling Senior 'A' League final back in December which saw Marist claim a three-point win. Both teams have had their eyes on the big prize this season, storming into the final with clean records.
Marist overcome Coláiste Éinde from Galway in their semi-final on a 32-17 scoreline - see report here
For their part, Sligo Grammar travelled to Ballinasloe to face Garbally College in their semi-final where they sealed their final spot with a 19-10 win - see report here
Having been seen as the main contenders from the outset of the competition, the Connacht Senior 'A' Schools Cup final between Marist College and Sligo Grammar promises to be a fascinating affair.
The Marist team is captained by Tom Sheehan who is looking to follow in the footsteps of 2013 victorious captain Robert Ashe. Interestingly, current Leinster and Ireland star Robbie Henshaw captained the Marist to success in 2012.
Sam Fogarty is the head coach of the Marist team, Shane Broderick is the team manager and Megan Commins is the physio (the team and subs are listed below).
With numerous Buccaneers players in their ranks, the Marist are likely to have plenty of support in Ballina from the Athlone-based club.
Marist College team: Andrew Henson; Kyle Mahon, Thomas Cotton, Tom Sheehan (captain), Tom Bourke; Charlie O’Carroll, Conor Dowling; Hugo Hannon, Evan McMickan, Ciarán West; Peter Bourke, Kyle Byrne; Kailin Blessing, Oisín O’Donoghue, Rueben Colleran. Replacements: James Kelly, Andrew Cotton, John Okegbenro, Matthew Turner, Philip Finnan, Paul O’Sullivan, Darragh Glennon, Owen Egan, Alex Connor, Max O’Sullivan, Evin Claffey, Jimmy Walshe, Stephen O'Connor, Senan Nugent, Andrew Mitchell.