Glenstal are into the quarter-finals of the Munster Schools Senior Cup after scraping past Rockwell College at the University of Limerick’s 4G pitch, writes John Keogh

Senior Cup final day invariably draws past-pupils together in fierce shows of pride. Today, most of the Glenstal Abbey side of 47 years ago will reconvene at Thomond Park, memories still sharp of the only other occasion the school made a senior final.

Twenty years ago today Garda Jerry McCabe was shot dead by the Provisional IRA in Adare during an attempted robbery. His widow, Ann, spoke to Mid-West Correspondent Jimmy Woulfe

Leaving the Church behind him, Thomas MacDonagh found a new calling almost by accident, writes Shane Kenna

The sale of convents around the country chronicles the rapidly changing status of the Catholic Church, one of Ireland’s largest and most enduring institutions.

Mark Butler has now coached Rockwell College to three Munster Schools Cup victories. But he was also at the helm when they lost the same number of finals so he was well entitled to smile after yesterday’s victory over Ardscoil Rís at sunny Thomond Park.

One of the most promising distance runners in the country, Kevin Mulcaire, was the star of the Aviva/Munster Schools’ Track and Field Championships at Cork IT on Saturday.

DONACH O’Donnell began coaching while a student in WIT, and while teaching in Rockwell College he maintained his interest in preparing teams.

Munster rookie JJ Hanrahan could hardly have asked for a better first competitive that Thomond Park on Friday night.

Munster Schools 23 Connacht Schools 15

Munster U20s head coach Greig Oliver will point to the Junior World Cup success of JJ Hanrahan, James Rael and Niall Scannell this summer to motivate his current crop as they go into inter-provincial action next week.

Nothing grates on Munster rugby players more than being told that they are in any way inferior to their Leinster counterparts.

Munster hooker Denis Fogarty has inked a deal with French second division club Aurillac coached by former Ulster, Ireland and Lions second row Jeremy Davidson.

The joyful scenes that greeted Rockwell’s 25th Munster Senior Schools Cup victory at Thomond Park yesterday had as much to do with relief as the realisation they had secured their first back-to-back trophies in over 50 years.

SCHOOLS rugby stereotypes? Alongside a colourful terrace culture and visible agony and ecstasy at the final whistle, you’ll find cagey, no-risk, win-at-all-costs rugby.

PBC CORK served notice that they have no intention of relinquishing their Avonmore Milk Munster Senior Schools Cup title without a fight after disposing of St Munchin’s at Woodleigh Park yesterday.

MUNSTER won’t be searching for a replacement out half from outside the province, following the move of Jeremy Manning to Newcastle.

SCHOOLS rugby is abundant with examples of father and son representation, but former Munster second-row Ray Ryan must be on the cusp of creating something of a record.

THE BBC hopes to finish a documentary on the life of Stuart Mangan — the inspirational young man left paralysed by a rugby accident — who will be buried tomorrow.

Frustrated by injury and overlooked by the Lions, Munster’s Denis Leamy has plenty of incentives at Croke Park today. He spoke to Charlie Mulqueen.

In the third of our interviews with past Irish Examiner/TV3 National Junior Sports Stars, Declan Colley talks to Munster and Ireland flanker Denis Leamy about the extraordinary progress he has made since turning pro.