SEAT launch Munster Schools Cup

Neil Dalton of SEAT Ireland with some Munster Schools Cup players

Munster Schools Cup players, along with SEAT ambassadors Donnacha Ryan and Alan Quinlan, gathered in Blackwater Motors Fermoy this week to launch the SEAT Munster Schools Senior and Junior Cups competitions, ahead of the Senior Cup's opening round fixtures this week, writes Trish Whelan.

2015 marks the 106th Munster Schools Cup and the second year that SEAT, the official car partner to the Munster team, has been involved in the competition.

The 2015 SEAT Team of the Munster Schools Senior Cup will be named at the end of the competition.

Neil Dalton, Head of Marketing & Product SEAT Ireland says "This competition has a proud tradition and we along with our dealers throughout Munster are looking forward to another exciting season of schools rugby." He wished all competing schools the best of luck.

Bertie Smith, Munster Branch Senior Vice President pointed out that a number of last year's Senior players have gone on to play at Under 20 level with Munster, and at AIL level with their clubs. He hopes to see some of them appearing for Ireland Under 20 in both the 6 Nations Championship and the World Cup this year. He said players owe a lot the grounding they got in tight and competitive school cup games - from such household names as Paul O'Connell (Ardscoil Ris), Peter O'Mahony and Simon Zebo (PBC), Conor Murray, Keith Earls and Donnacha Ryan (St Munchin's); Duncan Casey (Glenstal Abbey), Donnacha O'Callaghan and Billy Holland (CBC), and Dave O'Callaghan (Midleton College). He also wished all schools and players, the very best of luck in the next few weeks.

Donnacha Ryan and Alan Quinlan are pictured below with Munster Schools Cup players.