Sport

CBC look the likely candidates

Munster Senior Cup: With eight well-prepared sides on the start line, it should be an intriguing race to St Patrick's Day

Edward Newman
Sat Jan 27 2007 - 00:00

Munster Senior Cup:With eight well-prepared sides on the start line, it should be an intriguing race to St Patrick's Day. The upper half of the draw is fraught with danger for two of the favourites, PBC and Crescent, who face Rockwell and Ardscoil Rís respectively.

More than a few Pres hearts were broken after a somewhat controversial defeat to St Munchin's (7-3) in last year's decider.

Pres head coach Don Buckley has Scott Deasy (captain), Niall Barry, Michael Kenefick, Brian O'Hara, Peter O'Mahony and Ronan Corkery back from last year.

Despite a tradition of producing gifted backs, up front is where their strengths lie, especially in Ireland Schools forwards Peter Kelleher, O'Hara (son of former Ireland backrow Pat) and O'Mahony. Buckley has included 16-year-old outhalf Kevin Kidney (son of Munster coach Declan).

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Buckley won't be underestimating Rockwell, where head coach Martin Daly has assembled a talented squad and a front eight capable of troubling the best, with Munster Schools secondrow Ian Duffy and Ireland Schools number eight James Ryan.

The "one-to-watch" quarter-final is the Limerick derby between Crescent College Comprehensive and Ardscoil Rís.

Crescent pin their hopes on halfbacks Diarmuid Upton and Andrew Burke.But the pair are doubtful for the quarter-final, Upton struggling with a shoulder injury and outhalf Burke sidelined with ankle problems.

St Munchin's College know they face a huge challenge to retain the trophy. Only three remain from last year's team - Gareth O'Hanlon, Liam Óg Murphy and Michael McCarthy. Their form in challenge games has been erratic.

CBC coach Peter Melia will be taking nothing for granted against Glenstal in the final quarter-final tie. Glenstal almost caused a huge surprise last season, coming within minutes of knocking out Pres in the quarter-final.CBC will prevail and are likely finalists in an old firm derby on St Patrick's Day.

Verdict: CBC.

Munster Senior Cup

Quarter-finals: (venues TBC) Wednesday, February 7th: PBC v Rockwell, 3pm. Ardcoil Rís v Crescent CC, 3pm. Thursday, February 8th: St Munchin's v Castletroy, 3pm. Saturday, February 10th: Glenstal v CBC, 3pm.

Semi-finals: Sunday, March 4th: PBC/Rockwell v ASR/CCC, 3pm. Wednesday, March 7th: Glenstal / CBC v St Munchin's/Glenstal, 3pm.

Final: Saturday, March 17th - 3pm.