COLÁISTE Pobail Bheanntraí don’t like losing finals – and it’s a habit they are determined to break.

The Bantry school have appeared in the last two Munster Girls Schools Junior Cup finals, losing both to Sacred Heart Clonakilty.

They face the same opposition again in the junior final on Tuesday (12.30pm), the opening game of a double-header at Virgin Media Park. It will be followed by Bantry’s first-ever senior cup final, also against Sacred Heart (2.15pm).

Laura O’Sullivan, head coach of both Bantry teams, hopes this time will bring silverware.

‘It would be huge to win one trophy, if not both,’ O’Sullivan told The Southern Star.

‘It’s very tough losing. We’ve lost to Clon in the last two junior finals and they have been phenomenal. In a way, though, it has helped us to build. It shows we’re going in the right direction.

‘To win one trophy would be fantastic. It would bring more interest and encourage more girls to play. That can then transfer into the club and make it stronger. For me, the big thing with rugby is there’s a place for everybody on the pitch.

‘For the girls to be mentors to younger players coming up, whether it’s reaching three junior finals in a row or being our first senior team in a final, it’s huge. It’s the foundation for what we can do next.’

Bantry’s juniors reached this year’s Munster decider with convincing wins against Ursuline Thurles (31-0), Coláiste Mhuire Ennis (31-5) and St Mary’s Mallow (45-5). The seniors progressed to their final after Ursuline Thurles conceded the semi-final.

Ahead of Tuesday’s double-header there is optimism around both squads, many of whom are also key players with Bantry Bay RFC.

Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí's Lucy Donaldson tackled by Sinead O'Callaghan and Amie Millin of Sacred Heart in the 2025 junior cup final.

‘For the juniors, this is their third year in the final and they were in the semi-final the year before that. We’ve always put out a strong junior team,’ O’Sullivan said.

‘Senior has been more difficult at times but this year we’ve managed to retain most of our players and found a few more who wanted to take it on. The key is that we have the numbers for senior this year.

‘It’s always about putting in stepping stones and foundations so the next year will be easier for everyone.’

The connection between school and club rugby has played a big role in Bantry’s progress.

‘There’s a great structure and camaraderie between club and school,’ O’Sullivan explained.

‘That said, we would also have girls playing for the school who don’t play with the club because they’re involved in other sports or commitments. We’re very lucky with the club though – the girls are treated as well as the boys in terms of facilities and time.’

O’Sullivan herself is heavily involved in the game locally. She also coaches the school’s first-year team, works with Bantry Bay RFC and the U18.5 Rebelettes – a regional side featuring players from Bantry, Skibbereen and Dunmanway – alongside her job as a history and geography teacher.

The busy schedule is something she embraces.

‘I love it. It was something I was always interested in,’ she said.

‘Damien Hicks came into the school as a Club Community Rugby Officer and told me the best way to learn was to join the club. I started coaching there and had a fantastic mentor in Patrick O’Connor, who taught me everything.

‘The club sponsored me to do my senior coaching badge. There’s great support to have women coaching as well. If you can’t see it, you can’t be it. There’s real pride in the girls’ side of Bantry Bay.’

Next week’s double-header is another sign of the rise of West Cork rugby. Players from both Bantry and Clonakilty were also involved when West Cork won the Zara Horan Trophy against North Munster earlier this year.

Despite their rivalry, there is huge respect between the two schools.

‘Their teacher Jack (Phelan) and myself were part of the coaching ticket, along with Nadia Collins from Skibb, under Damien Hicks when we won the Zara Horan Trophy,’ O’Sullivan said.

‘Clon are like the Limerick hurlers of rugby – they raise the standards and it’s up to the rest of us to meet them.

‘That’s really positive for rugby and why you have two West Cork teams competing at such a high level, especially at junior. The rivalry between ourselves and Sacred Heart has helped push us on.’