Plenty Of Skills & Thrills At Aviva Schools Rugby Festival

Sponsored by Aviva, the event was aimed at inspiring young players – most of whom are new to the game – to maintain a long-term involvement, with their first impressions of the sport launched at the home of Irish Rugby.

There were 24 Under-13 boys teams present and eight Under-15 girls teams. Each side played one 25-minute game on the Aviva Stadium’s back pitch and then half an hour later, played a game on the main pitch.

The players and coaches then took an exclusive tour of the players’ tunnel and home and away dressing rooms at the Aviva Stadium, and they also got a chance to meet Ireland internationals Kevin McLaughlin and Jenny Murphy who were there to watch the teams play.

The Six Nations Men’s and Women’s trophies, both won by Ireland last season, were on display for all, and afterwards the players, coaches, family members and supporters all made their way to the President’s Area of the stadium to watch Ireland beat France in memorable fashion.

There was a huge reaction to Ireland’s 24-9 win, with great memories created both on and off the pitch for the players, coaches and parents present at the Aviva Irish Schools Rugby Festival.

Many thanks to Aviva, the Aviva Stadium, the Association of Referees Leinster Branch (ARLB), Lansdowne FC, the provincial Branches and most of all, the kids who took part.

Were you at the Festival or did your child or school play on the day? Check out our team photo and match action galleries from the Festival – gallery 1, gallery 2, gallery 3 and gallery 4. Pics of the meet & greet with Kevin and Jenny are here and here.

2015 Aviva Irish Schools Rugby Festival:

Participating Schools –

CONNACHT

Boys –

Gortnor Abbey, Crossmollina, Co. Mayo
St Jarlath’s, Tuam, Co. Galway
St Muredach’s, Ballina, Co. Mayo
Colaiste Muire, Ballymote, Co. Sligo
St. Mary’s College, Ballygar, Co. Galway
Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, An Cheathru Rua, Co. na Gaillimhe

Girls –

Ard Scoil Mhuire, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
Sacred Heart School, Westport, Co. Mayo

LEINSTER

Boys –

Marian College, Sandymount, Dublin
De La Salle Churchtown, Dublin
Castleknock Community College, Dublin
St. Paul’s College, Raheny, Dublin
St MacDara’s, Templeogue, Dublin
Drimnagh Castle Secondary School, Dublin

Girls –

St Kevin’s, Dunlavin, Co. Wicklow
St MacDara’s, Templeogue, Dublin

MUNSTER

Boys –

St. Brendan’s College, Killarney, Co. Kerry
St. Fanahan’s, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork
Ard na Mara, Tramore, Co. Waterford
Scoil Mhuire gan Smal, Blarney, Co. Cork
Scoil Mhuire agus Íde, Newcastle West, Co. Limerick
St. John Bosco CC, Kildysart, Co. Clare

Girls –

Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí, Co. Cork
Coláiste Íde agus Iosef, Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick

ULSTER

Boys –

Banbridge High School, Banbridge, Co. Down
Our Lady & St Patrick’s, Knock, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Virginia College, Co. Cavan
St Columba’s, Stranorlar, Co. Donegal
Downshire School, Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim
Limavady High School, Co. Derry

Girls –

Limavady Grammar School, Co. Derry
Oldcastle Post-Primary School, Co. Meath