Check out a full preview on the Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Junior Cup quarter-final fixtures below
Wednesday, February 24.
Terenure College v St Michael’s College, Donnybrook 3pm
Before a ball had been launched, Terenure and Roscrea, the League winners, were identified as two of the schools most likely to put it up the holders.
Ultimately, ‘Nure had far too much in the locker as they hammered out a 31-15 beating to Cistercian College.
It did take them some time to find their stride, falling behind three times before they came through with 24 unanswered points in the final quarter.
There was composure and character about the way they got on top physically, led by number eight Sean Daly and the driving play of hooker Lev Vaughan.
They gave the impression that they will get better with every round.
St Michael’s wing Zach Harrison stole the show with a hat-trick from their 44-12 win over St Gerard’s.
It is closer to the action where the Aylesbury Road school will have to make the impact required to free-up the likes of Harrison and ace centre Christopher Cosgrave.
The lack of bulk up front is compensated for by the leadership of captain Mark Hernan, the visibility of second row Jonathan Fish and go-forward of number eight Ben Gannon.
Half-backs Robert Gilsenan and Niall Carroll will be charged with dispensing the ball carefully and accurately.
Thursday, February 25.
CBC Monkstown v Clongowes Wood College, Donnybrook 3pm
It was difficult to gauge the strength of Clongowes 21-0 defeat of Kilkenny when they rounded out the eight quarter-finalists on a horrible afternoon out in Castle Avenue, the home to Clontarf rugby club.
The wind and rain made this an attritional exchange in which the hard and effective work of second row Tom Coughlan, hooker Ethan Noone and number eight Barry Dooley gave them a strong spine to work from.
It was further out, however, where the Clane school have the class of centre Joe Carroll, their captain, and full-back John Maher to count on.
The latter scorched Kilkenny for a wonder try from inside his half and David Wilkinson kicked well in unkind conditions.
CBC have threatened to be very good indeed at times this season.
They went into the League final with solid claims only to be overpowered 30-3 by Roscrea.
The Monkstown boys were ended the dream of Dundalk Grammar 20-0 in the first round at Anglesea Road.
The fact they were unable to convert any of their four tries, no matter how difficult, may be a weakness to their game.
There is a smooth look to their lineout and out-half Sean Power, their captain, is a smart tactician, well able to spot weaknesses and take advantage of them.
Centre James Reynolds is one to watch the back row of Tadhg Quinn, Ryan Hayes and Ethan Ryan is well balanced and aggressive.
Friday, February 26.
Presentation College, Bray v Blackrock College, Donnybrook 3pm
This has all the hallmarks of the tie of the round.
Okay, Blackrock have been rightly installed as strong favourites as they go in search of their fourth straight crown and their 50th in total.
They never really moved out of second gear in getting past St Mary’s 32-3 as their two most impressive forwards number eight Ed Brennan and lock Cian Duffy both bagged a brace of tries.
The combination of size and speed allied to the ‘Rock way of playing to width makes them difficult to defend and their captain Gavin Jones is a focal point for their attack and defence.
While Pres’ have been inconsistent this season, they have the individual talent to push ‘Rock all the way.
The question is: can they bring it all together when it matters most?
The Bray boys were guilty of over-complicating the game plan in the 13-8 first round defeat of gallant Gonzaga.
They have real class at out-half in Mick O’Gara, punch from ball carrying number eight Ciaran McKay and body-stopping defence from blindside Sam Graham.
Sunday, February 28.
Newbridge College v Belvedere College, Donnybrook 3pm
There were signs of fragility in Belvedere’s 21-6 first round victory over Castleknock.
They lost the battle for territory and discipline, in the form of a yellow card, in the first quarter and would have been behind were it not for ‘Knock’s wasting of chances.
They had to go six points down before they woke up and it was centre Cailean Mulvaney, also their goal-kicker, who pushed them on with 16 points.
While this is not a one-boy team, the supporting cast will have to improve considerably.
Captain John Meagher is a fine footballer at out-half and loose forwards Cian Maher and Aaron Coleman can be a match for anyone.
Newbridge were made to work every minute for their 25-15 first round win over a big, powerful Gorey Community School.
It should have brought them on a tonne for the hit out and they are now in the position Gorey occupied, in that they have nothing to lose.
Their captain Jack Doyle is a French type of scrum-half in that he appears to be their main playmaker.
When The ‘Bridge needed someone to step up against Gorey, Doyle understood what needed to be done.
There will be a big onus on the shoulders of the back row to improve their breakdown work and for all of the pack to pile into Belvo’ from the off.
