BANDON Grammar School may need an extension for their bulging trophy cabinet.

After a memorable 2024/25 season that included a historic Munster Schools Boys Junior Cup triumph in March, the West Cork school capped it all off by winning the Pinergy School of the Year Award at the recent Munster Rugby Awards.

‘We’re proud as punch,’ coach Philip Murphy said, reflecting on a special night for the school.

‘Over the years, we felt we were looking up at these schools and wondering what they were doing, what the secret sauce was, how we could emulate them. A bit of hard work and a bit of thought has paid off, and it’s lovely to get recognition for that.’

The highlight of the season was undoubtedly the inaugural Munster Schools Boys Junior Cup success, secured after a 20-12 victory against CBC at Virgin Media Park. But Bandon Grammar didn’t stop there – they also reached the final of the Bowen Shield and lifted the U15 McCarthy Plate.

Individually, several players stood out, earning interprovincial honours. Lewis Linehan, Sam Barry and Jack Deasy represented the Munster U18 Boys Schools squad, while Zach Piper and Michael Kennedy were called into the U19s.

Behind the scenes, Bandon Grammar has been steadily investing in and improving its rugby programme, including upgrading facilities.

‘We’re so lucky with the people we have, both students and coaches,’ Murphy explained. As coach of the school’s history-making junior team, he emphasised the importance of fresh thinking.

‘We have a small group of coaches and players, and that gives you the thought that you can’t just do the same thing as other schools. We need to think a little outside the box in how we prepare, in everything we do.

‘We developed the mindset of “let’s be the best Bandon Grammar can be.” We don’t want to be CBC. We don’t want to be Presentation Brothers. We want to be Bandon Grammar School – the best version of that.

‘Once we bought into that and started doing our own thing, we got brilliant buy-in from the lads and coaches. Coaches love coaching in the school and players love playing.

‘We have parents driving in from Bantry or Skibb at 6am for gym or skill sessions. It’s a small community of people who are really passionate about what they’re doing.’

Former Bandon Grammar student and current Munster star Gavin Coombes enjoying the awards with Ciara Heuston.

For all involved, winning the Pinergy School of the Year Award is proof they are on the right path. That recognition is hugely satisfying for Murphy and the team around him.

‘You’re putting plans in place. We’re constantly discussing things with other coaches. We like to think we are thoughtful about what we’re doing. Winning a junior cup and having so many players in Munster squads – that’s a nod to say we’re going in the right direction. You need that sometimes. When you have really good people in the building and you achieve something, it’s massively satisfying,’ he said.

Two familiar faces were also present at the Munster Rugby Awards ceremony in the Strand Hotel, Limerick: high-achieving past pupils Jack Crowley and Gavin Coombes. Both Munster and Ireland stars have spoken before about how the school shaped their rugby journeys.

‘In schools’ rugby terms, we’re a little village. Everybody is really tight, everybody knows everybody. Jack and Gavin are part of the story too, as well as the lads who aren’t playing with Munster,’ Murphy said.

‘We have lads all over the world who got in contact after we won the junior cup and this award. Ciarán Roberts is playing in Portugal. Rory Golden is coaching in Australia. Others might not be playing but they’re still involved in rugby. Gavin and Jack are fantastic men, brilliant ambassadors for the school, and it was great to have them there on the night.’

Winning this accolade, Murphy insists, is not the end of the journey. The focus now is on building momentum.

‘We have a really good, big, strong senior squad now. We’ll do everything we can to push them to reach their potential,’ he said.

‘Off the field, we’re lucky to have brilliant management in the school who are big dreamers. There’s a development plan, and part of it involves improving pitches and gyms.

‘Having all the pieces of the puzzle is important. We won’t rest on our laurels. We have big plans for the lads and for the girls – we’re really pushing girls’ rugby in the school as well.

‘We’re going to sit down, make our plan, execute it and keep pushing on,’ Murphy added.