Aaron Vs Aaron clash in Schools' League final
Date Published: 13-Nov-2009
The Connacht Tribune Schools’ Senior League final on Wednesday is a repeat of last season’s cup final and pits two of the stars of that game against one another again.
Colaiste Iognaid’s Aaron Conneely, who was capped for Ireland U18 Schools this year will lead his side out against Aaron Spring’s Sligo Grammar School. Spring was capped for Ireland Schools last season and again this year.
The clash of the powerful Sligo No 8 and the rangy, all-action No 7 from Clarenbridge, who scored in that final in March, is an intriguing sub-plot in the first major schools’ battle of the season.
Jes, winners of the league and cup for the last two seasons, go into this match as underdogs despite their 100% record so far this season. The side is young with only a few survivors from last year’s squad. Conneely is joined in the back row by Rory Cunningham, the other try scorer in the cup final, who was capped last season for Ireland U18’s and has just been called up to the Ireland U19 squad for its match with Australia.
Sligo Grammar in contrast have retained many of the team beaten by Jes in both the league and cup finals last season. In addition to Spring the back row also features U18 Schools international Daniel Qualter. A further 6 players were capped for Connacht schools earlier this season.
On their way to the final Colaiste Iognaid overcame Bish 24-13; Clifden Community School 52-5; and Calasanctius, Oranmore 47-3.
Sligo Grammar beat Garbally 38-3; Gallen Community School (Ferbane) 18-0; and received a walkover against Marist College, Athlone.
The Connacht Tribune Junior League final sees last season’s cup winners, Calasanctius, Oranmore up against Sligo Grammar and these sides appear well-matched.
The powerful Oranmore side have looked impressive in their wins over Clifden (38-7), Bish (17-7) and Jes (27-10). However the Sligo team have yet to concede a point defeating Summerhill 23-0; Gallen 21-0; and Garbally 31-0.
The Junior match kicks off at 12.30 folowed by the Senior game at 2.00, on Wednesday next in The Sportsground, Galway