Crescent celebrates on the double
Limerick’s Crescent College Comprehensive SJ had double cause for celebration on the weekend of 28th and 29th March, 2009. As it continued its celebrations for its sesquicentenary, it also emerged dominant in the Under-14 Rugby competition and was crowned champions receiving the Murray cup for its endeavours. The competition featured all the Jesuit colleges in the country, with Belvedere and Gonzaga travelling from Dublin. Clongowes, from Kildare, was the eventual winner of the second division competition, while Colaiste Iognáid represented Connacht. Cistercian College from Roscrea and Glenstal from Co. Limerick also participated while Ard Scoil Rís offered local support. In the photo here, Dermot Murray SJ presents the cup. Read on for a fuller description of the event.
The competition got under way at noon on Saturday and immediately Clongowes were dominant in the second division while Crescent, Roscrea and Ard Scoil Rís were emerging as potential winners of the first competition. As the evening progressed, Glenstal were proving tough opponents while Colaiste Iognaid threatened every side they played. Not to be outdone in the second competition, Belvedere and Gonzaga proved sturdy opponents.
Sunday morning proved decisive for the home teams who had the advantage of not having to travel. An extremely tough semi-final between Cistercian, Roscrea and Ard Scoil of Limerick proved epic with Ard Scoil eventually emerging winners to face Crescent in the final. In the second division, Clongowes simply proved too strong and won this competition, receiving the Fr. Liam O’Connell cup, kindly donated by the former Headmaster of both Clongowes and Crescent.
The final was a very close affair with two tired teams serving up some very impressive rugby. The outcome was decided by a single try, scored by David Culhane and converted by Greg Barry. The final was the thirty-ninth match of the series.
Crescent was then presented with the Murray Cup by Fr. Dermot Murray S.J., former Headmaster of Gonzaga, Clongowes and Crescent. The host school was delighted to have won the competition, especially in its year of celebrating one hundred and fifty years of Jesuit education in Limerick.
Coach and organiser, Mr. Sean O’Callaghan, was delighted with the outcome and especially thanked the teams that travelled at the end of a long season. He was also appreciative of the Crescent Transition Year students who organised many of the vents with a sense of professionalism. The Munster Branch provided referees which ensured the competitions were of a high standard. In conclusion, Sean expressed the hope that this competition would become an annual event.
The next significant event in Crescent’s celebrations is the Sesquicentenary Soccer Tour to Bellarmine Preparatory High School S.J., Seattle, Washington, U.S.A. over the Easter holidays. This will be followed by a mass of thanksgiving which will be held in St. John’s Cathedral on Sunday 26th April, 2000 at 3.00.