Tony Ward’s Munster preview and his school-by-school guide
Pre-tournament evidence points to PBC, CBC, Crescent and Rockwell to be in final shakedown
THE Munster ‘Big Four’ are PBC, CBC, Rockwell and Crescent, with all but 13 of the 119 Senior Cup titles so far distributed between them. So, much though we would like it to be different this time round (think of Glenstal and Ard Scoil edging ever closer), all logical pre-tournament evidence points again to these four, and most probably in that order.
That said, and obviously so much will depend on the re-draw, I wouldn’t be writing last year’s beaten finalists off just yet. Pushed to pick a dark horse outside of the heavyweight four, the Murroe School would be it, with the match against Rockwell next week in Tom Clifford Park an intriguing clash that’s set to be a humdinger.
Again this year, each of the 10 competing schools will get at least a double bite at the cherry before the last eight go through to the quarter-finals. To that end, the opening-round draws were made back in December with the same fixtures applying at Senior and Junior.
Munster players Ronan O’Mahony (ex-Castletroy) and Rory Scannell (ex-PBC) were on hand to assist with the draw in Thomond Park. The five double-headers commence next week.
Home comforts will be sweet for the Cork three, with holders Pres, great rivals Christians and growing force Bandon entertaining Castletroy, Ard Scoil and St Munchin’s respectively, while Limerick will host the local derby between St Clement’s (victorious over Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí in the qualifying play-off) and Crescent, with Glenstal fronting up to Rockwell in what looks the tie of the round.
PBC will be the favourites with so many key players back from last year. CBC will be next in line with yet another powerful pack, but with not quite the same strength as their great Leeside rivals behind the scrum.
Rockwell and Crescent are both very close to the big Cork two this time around, with the Cashel School fielding a much more mature squad than in recent years and Crescent again (with six inter-pros) particularly strong (like Pres) behind the scrum.
Munchin’s, while lacking in finesse (watch out for the current JCT though), will be dogged and extremely difficult to break down in any game they play. They also owe BGS one for last year’s quarter-final defeat.
Bandon, particularly at home, will prove extremely difficult to break. Lacking the all-round strength of last year perhaps, but with that experience and confidence gained, they will not want for collective belief.
Castletroy field a young but plucky side, one high on endeavour much like Ard Scoil. A place in the quarter-final would represent a positive campaign for each, while Clements, like Bandon, are back competing with the heavyweights and looking to build on experience.
As for a possible dark horse beyond the Big Four, look no further than Glenstal despite that tough but meaty draw in the opening round.