BGS aim for unprecedented quadruple

Bandon Grammar School (BGS) will undertake parts two and three of their quest for an unprecedented quadruple as their boys and girls senior teams go into action at the All-Ireland Schools Championships at Grange Road in Dublin today. BGS have annexed the Munster cup already this season, while their boys will face Ashton in their showpiece in the coming weeks, but both will face stern tests of their credentials today. Foyle and Londonderry (Ulster) and Loreto Wexford (South East) will both be relatively unknown quantities for the girls in Pool A of the Kate Russell-monikered competition, with St Andrew’s of Leinster – who include Watkins sisters Chloe and Courtney in their side – the big threat on the other side of the draw. BGS have never won the tournament, which was last claimed by a Munster side when a star-studded Mount Mercy outfit featuring the likes of Cliodhna Sargent and Julia O’Halloran won in 2006. The west Cork school will however come face-to-face with a St Andrew’s boys side that will be hell-bent on atoning for their Leinster final defeat to Wesley in the recently-inaugurated John Waring competition. They must also counter the threat of Ulster runners-up Banbridge Academy, who boast the country’s top underage hitman, Stephen Dowds, in their ranks. Munster’s other representatives, Ashton, have the harder task on paper as they came off worse in the coin toss between them and Bandon to decide which pool they would compete in. They lock horns with Ulster kingpins Cookstown – who will be minus elbow injury victim and full Irish international David Ames – and Leinster champs Wesley. Setanta Sports will be recording four of the matches, which will be broadcasted from March 24-28. Kate Russell All-Ireland Schoolgirl Championships, Grange Road, Dublin Today Pool A: Foyle and Londonderry vs Loreto Wexford (10.30am); Bandon Grammar vs Loreto Wexford (1.30pm), Foyle and Londonderry vs Bandon Grammar (4.30pm). Pool B: St Andrew’s vs Ballymena (9am); Jesuits vs Ballymena (12pm), St Andrew’s vs Jesuits (3pm). Friday 5th/6th playoff (9.30am); 3rd/4th playoff (11.15am); Final (1pm). John Waring All-Ireland Schoolboy Championships, Grange Road, Dublin Today Pool A: Wesley vs Cookstown (9am); Ashton vs Cookstown (12pm); Wesley vs Ashton (3pm). Pool B: St Andrew’s vs Banbridge (10.30am); Bandon Grammar vs Banbridge (1.30pm); St Andrew’s vs Bandon Grammar (4.30pm). Friday 5th/6th playoff (10am); 3rd/4th playoff (11.45am); Final (3.15pm).