In a normal year clearing the pathway for Clongowes Wood to equal Blackrock in the modern role of honour would be happening in this preview.
This is no normal year, no normal Blackrock side, not even by their lofty standards.
The modern role of honour has to be ABOD (After Brian O’Driscoll) so that would be 1998 when Des Dillon’s great Clongowes team destroyed everyone with the considerable help of an unplayable fullback named Gordon D’Arcy. The season previous D’Arcy shredded through a Blackrock midfield, which included O’Driscoll, in a 16-14 semi-final victory.
History is littered with epic clashes between these schools.
Since ’98 Blackrock have climbed back on top of the heap five times to Clongowes’ four – including Conor Gilsenan’s unstoppable 2010/’11 crop. Tomorrow this Rock vintage would enter that very realm if Nick Timoney lifts the trophy for the school’s 68th time. It would be the 34th occasion that they have retained the silver chalice.
Enough statistics. This will be an even fight. Clongowes captain, the Henry Honnibal-esque outhalf Fergal Cleary will make damn certain of that.
Their seemingly always penetrative number eight Stephen McVeigh was phenomenal in the semi-final victory over St Andrews, while Josh Pim easily carries a surname synonymous with openside wing forward play in Leinster. Pim's battle at the breakdown with Conor Oliver will be fascinating and pivotal.
Also, should Blackrock err near their own uprights fullback Alan Hughes will punish.
Add the dashing pace of Cian O’Donoghue and it is undeniable that Clongowes have produced a side worthy of being crowned champions.
In a normal year.
The abnormalities are littered throughout Peter Smyth’s panel. At 116 kilograms Jeremy Loughman possesses the power and agility to go under Greg Feek’s watchful eye this summer.
As these heavyweights stalk around the RDS dispensing rough justice the likes of Timoney can slip into wider channels. But really the prairie is where Jack Power should sparkle. Blackrock’s outstanding centre moved from fullback this season due to Joey Carberry’s pre-eminence in the back field.
By adding the chasing abilities of Zach O’Hagan and Hugo Keenan to this mix you get an alternative game plan that Smyth’s side can switch to should the battering ram approach fail to yield the requisite points.
A Clongowes win is possible and will happen if the aforementioned players are shut down by inspired showings from the likes of Will Connors and Colm Mulcahy.
It’s conceivable that the champions’ dominance predicates on Sean Kearns dictating where and how this final is played. An outstanding territorial kicker, the Leinster under-19 outhalf has the ability to slip Power through the narrowest of holes.
It probably won’t come to that but strap in for a cracking tussle.
