Munster Schools Senior Cup - Glenstal Abbey

GLENSTAL Abbey are one of the leading fancies to win the 2015 Munster Schools Senior Cup after their Limerick City Senior Cup win before Christmas.

COACHING TEAM: General Manager: Sean Skehan; Head Coach: Tom Tierney; Asst. Head Coach: Simon Malone; S&C Coach: Conor Daly.

LAST CUP SUCCESS: None

LAST SEASON: Lost 20-10 to Castletroy College at the quarter-final stage. Pushed Ardscoil hard in their first game

SQUAD: Ian Molloy*, Joe Hartnett*, David Quane*, Henry Downing, Paddy Molony, Luke Lynch, Diarmuid Glavey, Matthew Ryan*, Johnny Williams, Ben Clancy*, Alex Donohoe*, Bernard Cosgrove*, Rory Clarke, Theo Broderick, Will McGann*, John Murphy*, George O’Hara*, Neilus Mulvihill*, Darren Halpenny, James Enright, Ryan Johnston*, Rory Johnston, Thanade McCoole, Hugo O’Connor, Jack Stafford*, Tim Costigan*, Jamie McAleese*, David Kenny*, Declan Floyd, Bobby Fleming*, Michael Boland*, Sean O’Sullivan*, Gordon Daly, Colm Hogan, Charles Gavin, Killian Glynn.

CAPTAIN: Tim Costigan

REPRESENTATIVE PLAYERS: Tim Costigan (Captain Connacht U-18), Jamie McAleese (Connacht U-19), Jack Stafford (Munster U-18), Colm Hogan (Munster U-18), Rory Clarke (Munster U-17), Darren Halpenny (Munster U-17), Charles Gavin (Munster U-17)

STAR MAN: Glenstal out-half Jack Stafford, who has played at Munster U-18 level, is an exciting prospect in the key, play-making position. Stafford is also a reliable goal-kicker.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Head coach with Glenstal Senior Cup side Tom Tierney combines the role with his head coaching role at Cork Constitution and that of the Irish women’s side which is preparing for the 6 Nations Championship.

PROSPECTS: Will be relieved to have begun their campaign with a victory over a spirited St Clement’s College side. Outright second favourites to win the Cup before that game, Glenstal have been eased out to joint second favourites with Rockwell. The Murroe side will benefit from that competitive outing against St Clement’s heading into theie opening round tie with Castletroy. Won’t lack for motivation as Castletroy ended their Cup hopes 12 months ago.