The rise of Terenure College came to a thrilling conclusion in the All-Ireland League final last May.
It is one thing to reach the top of the mountain; another to stay there. Lansdowne knows all about this.
For more than a decade, Leinster clubs have dominated the AIL’s top division, winning nine of the last eleven AIL finals, Lansdowne leading the way with Clontarf on three trophies each.
Certainly, the addition of the Bank of Ireland Leinster Senior Cup title would establish a standard for either club for the season ahead at Energia Park on Saturday afternoon (3pm).
‘Nure have been impressive in their three wins in Section B of the League portion of the competition, brushing off Dublin University (61-14), Old Belvedere (57-5) and Old Wesley (24-20) for two bonus-point returns.
The stiff challenge from Wesley in their last outing might be just what the doctor ordered, in providing a dose of medicine to go with the previous examples of total domination.
Captain Mick Melia, Sean McNulty, Conan O’Donnell, Harrison Brewer and Conall Bloomer provide a spine of experience up front.
Out the back, Peter Sylvester and Colm de Buitlear provide a solid midfield partnership outside the key decision-makers Calum Smith and Alan Bennie.
Lansdowne has been perfect in emerging from Section A, taking down St Mary’s (35-28), Clontarf (36-28) and UCD (40-15) for three bonus-point victories.
Their coaches Declan Fassbender and Damien McCabe will ask the front row of George Morris, Tom Barry and Adam Boland to set the terms for physical engagement.
Half-backs James Kenny and Stephen Madigan can feast on fast ball with Rory Parata and Andy Marks obvious targets to take them over the gain line.
Supporters can buy tickets for the game here. No cash or cards will be accepted at the gate.
LANSDOWNE: Cathal Eddy; Cillian Redmond (Capt), Andy Marks, Rory Parata, Sean Galvin; Stephen Madigan, James Kenny; George Morris, Tom Barry, Adam Boland, Jack Cooke, Ruari Clarke, Clive Ross, George Kenny, Harry van Eeden.
Replacements: Evan Downey, Adam Deay, Luke O’Connor, Barry Fitzpatrick, Jack Matthews, Charlie Tector Hugo McLaughlin.
TERENURE COLLEGE: Aran Egan; Conor Phillips, Colm de Buitlear, Peter Sylvester, Stephen O’Neill; Calum Smith, Alan Bennie; Conan O’Donnell, Sean McNulty, Adam Tuite, Mick Melia (Capt), Matt Caffrey, Harrison Brewer, Cian Huxford, Conall Boomer.
Replacements: Tom Stewart, Ben Howard, Mike Murphy, Tom Coghlan, George Morgan, Sam Berman, Adam LaGrue.
REFEREE: Padraic Reidy
