Munster Senior Cup Preview: The murmurings from down south are that this could be the year of the underdog in the Avonmore Munster Senior Schools Cup.
The "big three" - CBC, PBC and St Munchin's - all had major representation at Munster under-18 and under-19 schools level before Christmas, but their coaches view the honour of having players in red as being potentially detrimental to their overall chances in the blue-riband of schools rugby; hence the outside possibility of either Rockwell or Ard Scoil Rís lifting the cup.
The head coaches from the major triumvirate have found it difficult to establish continuity over the winter months, with preparations only finding any semblance of coherence since Christmas.
Presentation Brothers College ended a sequence of three cup final defeats when overcoming neighbours Christians 9-6 in last year's final, but, according to Pres coach Don Buckley, any thought of an old-firm rematch in the semi-final this year has been firmly wiped from his players' minds.
As Buckley warns, their meeting with Glenstal in the quarter-final is "the archetypal banana skin"; a college he feels are bound to get a break one of these days. Both Munster's Mike Mullins and former Tongan international, Matt T'Pau, have teamed up with Denis Hooper as a heavyweight coaching team at the Limerick abbey. They are bidding to reverse four consecutive narrow first-round defeats.
"Our preparations have been severely disrupted," adds Buckley. "We wouldn't have been alone in that, though.
"But we must move on. We're outlining to our players this year that the only team that can beat us is Glenstal. We have to get over them if we're to entertain notions of winning the cup."
Of Pres' Cup winning team of 2005, Buckley can all upon Robert Allen, Shane Costigan, Scott Deasy, Brian Dennehy and Tim Kenneally to spearhead the champions' challenge.
The re-emergence of St Munchin's in recent years has certainly reinvigorated the competition, but John Broderick echoes Buckley's sentiments.
His biggest worry centres around Munster Academy player Ger Earls.
Earls, a Munster and Ireland under-19 player, is sidelined with a back injury and, as Broderick asserts, the centre is "extremely doubtful for the Rockwell game. We have seen very little of him. He has a bad back injury at the moment and is basically exhausted. He is injured and uninterested."
Still Earls' loss could be tempered by big performances from others against Rockwell. Richard Mullane at outhalf is a competent kicker while their pack includes the totemic hooker Ger Slattery. Shane Hassett, at openside flanker, offers great balance in the backrow.
St Munchin's challengers Rockwell have always punched their weight and, from a small pick, have always provided some of the competition's best rugby.
Last year St Munchin's broke their hearts at the quarter-final stage; first drawing level with the Tipperary college in injury-time before Slattery popped up to arc over a drop goal.
Rockwell have seven of last year's starting XV available this season. Rory O'Connor at fullback played Ireland under-19 A, while Marcus O'Driscoll (centre) and Eoghan Grace at number eight played Munster under-19. Stephen O'Dwyer (hooker) and Ian Duffy (second row) also provide stability in the pack.
CBC have proved one of the competition's specialists over the last 10 years and rarely field a bad side. Traditionally their pack has provided the platform for victory and it will be a force again this season with Ireland under-19 player Shane O'Sullivan in outstanding form, ably assisted by Kieran Essex and Peter Murphy.
Christians head coach Peter Melia, who is also Ireland Schools (under-18) coach, believes he has "a more rounded side. We have a balance and are not overly forward dominated as in times past".
A Limerick derby of real substance is on offer between Crescent Comprehensive and Ard Scoil Rís. Crescent will be boosted by players from last year's Bowen Shield (under-16) win, while Ard Scoil can call on players successful in two Junior Cup campaigns in the last three years.
Ard Scoil's tour to South Africa has given their campaign "a bit of buoyancy," according to their coach Des Harty. "We've had some modest wins including a win over Crescent but there was some shadow boxing involved." Michael Sherry and David Kilcoyne are key to Ard Scoil's success while Crescent's team is rather young.
There is shadow-boxing going on between all coaches and talking up the underdogs may be premature.
It's difficult to look beyond a St Munchin's- CBC final on St Patrick's Day.
The Draw
Quarter-finals
Wednesday, Feb 8th - PBC v Glenstal, Musgrave Park, 3pm; Crescent College Comprehensive v Ard Scoil Rís, Thomond Park, 3pm. Thursday, Feb 9th - Midleton College v CBC, Venue TBA, 3pm. Sunday, Feb 12th - St Munchin's College v Rockwell College, Thomond Park, 3pm.
Semi-finals
Wednesday, Mar 1st - Crescent/ ASR v St Munchin's/Rockwell. Sunday, Mar 5th - PBC/Glenstal v Castletroy/Midleton/CBC.
