Bank of Ireland U15 Boys' Cup Final

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Buccaneers RFC VS

Carrick-on-Shannon RFC

Dexcom Stadium

26.04.26 - 14:30

On behalf of Connacht Rugby, it is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this afternoon’s Bank of Ireland Boys' Cup Finals.

Matches between all of these clubs are rarely just about the result; they are about pride, tradition, and the deep-rooted community ties that make Connacht Rugby so special.

I would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our title sponsors, Bank of Ireland, for their unwavering support of the game at every level in Connacht. Their commitment ensures that the pathways from minis right through to adult rugby remains strong.

A final like this doesn’t happen without the tireless work of volunteers. To the committees, coaches, and ground staff of both clubs, and to our own Connacht Rugby staff, thank you for your dedication to the sport.

Finally, to the players: enjoy every moment. Finals are rare and hard-earned. Play with the spirit and integrity that defines our game.

To all the families joining us today, and to every supporter in the stands, thank you for your continued passion. Let’s get behind the teams and enjoy a fantastic day of rugby.

Robert Lahiff

President, Connacht Rugby

Match Preview

This Sunday, 26th April sees the Bank of Ireland Boys' U13, U15 and U17 Cup Finals in Dexcom Stadium. The Bank of Ireland U13 Cup Final will take place at 11:00 AM followed by the Bank of Ireland U17 Cup Final at 12:30 PM and the Bank of Ireland U15 Cup Final at 2:30 PM.

Buccaneers youth teams have been in multiple club finals over the years and this season is no different. This U15 side has had an impressive run this year starting with their clean record in the Bank of Ireland U15 Division 1B League. With all wins in the league against some strong opponents, it was Buccaneers who topped the table and were looking unstoppable going into their Cup campaign. Their Cup Quarterfinal saw them facing an impressive Creggs RFC team away in Creggs. The first match was called off due to an unfortunate injury during the game, so they played a rematch a week later. Buccaneers were able to take the win after a tough match with a 27-18 scoreline. This saw them into the Semi-Final against another strong side in Dunmore at home in Athlone. But Dunmore weren't able to keep Buccaneers from a spot in the final and it was the home side of Buccaneers that sealed the spot in the final with a 24-19 win.

This Carrick team has gone from strength to strength, having won the Bank of Ireland U13 Cup in the 2023/24 season and continued on to win the U14 Cup in 2024/25. An incredible feat, they will be looking to continue their streak to add the Bank of Ireland U15 Cup to their collection. With 8 wins and only 2 close losses against Creggs RFC and Dunmore RFC in the Bank of Ireland U15 Division 1A League, they topped the table in convincing fashion. They continued their winning ways into the Cup campaign with a home Quarterfinal against Galwegians where they decisively secured their place in the Semi-Final with a 50-26 scoreline. They went on to face Galway Bay in their home Semi-Final who they had played in Rounds 1 and 6 of the league. Once again, Carrick-on-Shannon went on to see themselves into a Cup final with a 36-12 win, meaning they would be back in Dexcom Stadium again.

Sure to be an amazing final not to be missed, the Bank of Ireland Boys' U15 Cup Final is at 2:30 PM on Sun, 26th April in Dexcom Stadium.

A word from Head of Club and Community, Joe Gorham

Finals Days are the pinnacle of our Club and School players’ ambitions. It is a day of celebration for the whole of Connacht Rugby. It is truly a memorable occasion for all concerned which, undoubtedly, will be a source of conversation with your teammates in the many years ahead.

The sport of rugby allows for all our players to realise the limits of their ambitions, it allows us to create lifelong memories, however, most importantly, it is the maker of lifelong friendships.

There is no better feeling than to lift a Cup, Plate or Bowl alongside your teammates while representing your club or school. It is all about People and Place.

Sport also reflects life, in that, with every cup final there must be a winner and a loser. Regardless of winning or losing, the hope is that everyone involved on Finals Days will have a quality experience on their big day.

The advent of the new pitch at Dexcom Stadium has allowed Club and Community the opportunity to host additional Cup and League Finals (male and female/Club & School) this season. In fact, we are hugely excited to host over 40 Club & School finals over the course of the next few months.

On Finals Days, we must never forget the huge amount of work and personal sacrifice put in by all the Volunteers, Coaches and Managers to get you to this day. Volunteers are the life-blood of our sport and it would be remiss of me, on this day of celebration, not to say a huge thank you to each and every Club & School Volunteer for the magical work you put in day in and day out for the cause that is rugby in Connacht.

Finally, we at Club & Community rugby wish all our finalists and their loyal supporters the very best of luck on the day.

Connacht Abú.

Buccaneers RFC Management:

Manager
Niall Kelly

Coach
Charlie Couper
Andy Moran
Rob Connachton
Johnny O’Sullivan
Darren Costello

First Aid/Medic
Ciaran McKenna

Carrick-on-Shannon RFC Management:

Head Coach
Nato Zondagh

Coach
Deon Joubert

Coach
Sean McKeon

Bank of Ireland Boys' U15 Cup Final

Referee:

Michael Ridley

AR1:

Abraham Griffin

AR2:

Gavin McLoughlin

4th Official:

Kieran Cooney

Buccanners RFC

15

-

Will Brown

14

-

Sean Norton

13

-

Robert Connor

12

-

Fearghal Kelly

11

-

Oisin Daly

10

-

Jason Heneghan

9

-

Saran Griffith

1

-

Aaron Costello

2

-

Owen Kelly

Vice-Captain

3

-

Leroy Boakye

4

-

Conor Burke

5

-

Corey Kelly

6

-

Jordan Murray

Captain

7

-

Akintomiwa (Tomi) Akinfaye

8

-

Daniel Murphy

Carrick-on-Shannon RFC

15

-

Cathal McGovern

14

-

Jack McGarry

13

-

Rory O'Shaughnessy

12

-

Shane McGirl

11

-

Hubert Kiliszek-Sromek

10

-

Harry Hanrahan

Co-Captain

9

-

Quade Joubert

1

-

Aidan McNamara

2

-

Iarlaith Mulvey

3

-

Liam Durkin

4

-

Noah Guckian

5

-

Evan McKeon

6

-

Sean McTeigue

7

-

Daniel O'Connell

8

-

Nato Zondagh

Co-Captain

Buccanners RFC Substitutes

16

-

Jack Monaghan

17

-

Luke Clancy

18

-

Oscar Killeen

19

-

Joe Hurley

20

-

Cian Kilcommins

21

-

Donnacha O’Sullivan

22

-

Tadgh Rohan

23

-

Rían McKenna

Additional Players

-

Harry McKeogh, Harry Dolan, Nasrullah Rizaye, Brían Feeney, Oisin Gannon, Harry McEnroe, Alex Connachton, Cillian Maguire, Ignacio Rellán, Niall O’Donoghue, Luke Ward, Adam Cunniam Webb, Thomas Raynor and Josh Galego

Injured

-

Dylan Moran, Jack Costello and Ryan Farrell

Carrick-on-Shannon RFC Substitutes

16

-

Nathan Taylor

17

-

Adam Sheridan

18

-

Sam Boyle

19

-

Egan Gallagher

20

-

Rian Murphy

Buccaneers Message of Support

Buccaneers RFC congratulates our U15 Boys on reaching the Connacht Finals.

This achievement highlights the Club’s commitment to youths rugby and the dedication of players, coaches, and volunteers from minis through to Adults.

We are honoured to see our boys represent the Club on such a big stage and wish all players, families, and supporters an enjoyable and memorable occasion.

Thanks to our u15 team sponsors Mobile Motor Factors and Naas Road Autos and our club sponsors Azzuri.

Best of luck in the Finals. Go Buccs!

Carrick-on-Shannon Message of Support

Carrick -on-Shannon RFC is honoured to be part of this special occasion at the newly redeveloped Dexcom Stadium.

Today represents a particularly proud moment for our club. This is the third consecutive year that our Under 15 Boys have reached the Connacht Cup Final, having previously lifted the Connacht Cup in both 2024 and 2025. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the consistency, dedication, and talent within this group of players, as well as the commitment of their coaches and the continued support of their families and our wider club community.

It is especially fitting that this Final takes place in the superb surroundings of the newly rebuilt Dexcom Stadium. For these young players, the opportunity to play a Cup Final in such a venue is both a privilege and an experience they will remember for years to come.

While today is a major occasion, finals are about more than just the result. They are about enjoyment, respect, and representing your club with pride. We encourage all players to embrace the moment, support one another, and play with passion and sportsmanship throughout.

Enjoy the occasion and give it your very best.

- Carrick-on-Shannon RFC Executive Committee