‘THE process is on,’ Régis Sonnes says, as Bandon Grammar attempt to reach their first-ever Munster Schools Senior Cup final.

Back in a semi-final for the fourth time – and a first since 2022 – the Bandon school takes on St Munchin's College at Virgin Media Park on Wednesday (25th) at 12.45pm, knowing they are one win away from creating history.

It’s the next step in Bandon Grammar’s development as the West Cork rugby school builds on last season’s Munster Schools Junior Cup (U16) triumph and its recent Bowen Shield (U18) success – both historic firsts.

‘The process is on – we have won the junior cup and the Bowen Shield, are in the semi-final of the senior cup, and this is a young team, so we are happy with where we are,’ explains head coach Sonnes, a central figure in the school’s rugby rise.

‘We have seven lads who played junior last year on this senior panel. Between fourth and fifth years we have 12 players involved, which is more or less 50 percent of the team – they will be there for next year which is huge. They will be ready to compete next season.’

Bandon Grammar's Aodhan Brennan and Jack Deasy celebrate their quarter-final win. (Photo: Tom O’Hanlon/INPHO)

Mark Whelton, Matthew Buttimer, Dylan L'Estrange, Alexander Bramoulle, Jamie Hicks, Eanna Burke and Louis Dukelow are the seven players who have stepped up from last season’s junior cup-winning team, and all featured in the recent senior cup victory against Castletroy College (25-19). It’s an indicator that the conveyor belt in the school is in good health. Add in the Bowen Shield win in December – Bandon beat Christian Brothers College Cork 13-7 – and it’s further evidence that rugby in the school is trending upwards.

Qualifying for a first senior cup final is the next step, but Sonnes feels the pressure is off his team heading into the semi-final because they have already met their targets.

‘It’s a bonus that we are in the semi-final – that was our target after we won the Bowen. We have achieved our goals, but now we would love to go to the final. It’s very positive right now,’ Sonnes says, pleased with the response after their heavy semi-final qualifier defeat to Presentation Brothers College (41-5) last month.

‘The loss to PBC was hard – they are a very good team, very strong. We lost our confidence a bit because that was our first loss of the season.

‘To restart the mentality and the physicality was difficult ahead of the game, but I’m happy we won and hopefully we will be more relaxed for the semi-final.’

While Sonnes felt Bandon Grammar were nervous at times against Castletroy, they found their groove to lead 12-0 at the break. Aidan Gambura and Adam Barry scored the tries, the first converted by out-half David Fuller. The lead stretched to 17-5 in the second half when Alexander Bramoulle crossed for Bandon Grammar’s third try, but they had to withstand a Castletroy comeback that brought the Limerick side to within a single point, 20-19, before Barry touched down for his second try.

Bandon Grammar head coach Regis Sonnes.

‘We had good moves, and that connection between the forwards and the backs is important to us. We were efficient on the pitch, looking for opportunities, playing fast like we love,’ Sonnes reflected.

‘We came back too, which is good. We managed the end of the game well when we were under pressure – and that is good, to know how to win. This team has learned how to manage the key moments, and that’s important.’

Now it’s bonus territory and a shot at history. Sonnes’ advice to his players? Enjoy it – these are rare moments in their rugby journeys.

‘We will tell them to enjoy the moment. We have trained hard for the past two years to prepare for a moment like this. This is a great moment for a young rugby player so they should enjoy it. If we enjoy it, we will be more relaxed and we can play like I know we can,’ he says.

‘The most important thing is to focus on our performance, on our individual performance – what is my mission for the team? We speak a lot about “team first”, and if we play to our maximum and stay focussed on our performance, it could work.

‘We will only know after the game if it was good enough, so let’s see what happens, and I hope we can take our opportunities.’

So, while more history beckons, the bigger picture suggests Bandon Grammar have laid the foundations to make occasions like this the norm.