Junior cup final to kick off earlier to discourage drinking

The kick-off time for the Leinster schools rugby junior cup final on Sunday has been moved to an earlier time to discourage pre-match drinking.

The match between St Michael's College and Blackrock College at Donnybrook is to start at 1pm, rather than at 3.30pm as originally planned, following an intervention by the Health and Safety Authority.

This is not a reflection on either school or their pupils. It follows last Sunday's Leinster schools senior cup final at Donnybrook during which a section of the pitch perimeter barrier collapsed at the Old Wesley end of the ground.

This is a side of the ground normally occupied by past pupils of the competing schools, most of whom would have left their respective alma maters in the past decade.

According to one source, a substantial amount of drink was confiscated by stewards prior to the senior cup final and that, coupled with the collapse of part of the perimeter barrier, was central to the change in the kick-off time for the junior decider.

The pupils from the competing schools are accommodated in the old stand at Donnybrook along with the majority of parents, and it is generally neutrals and past pupils who congregate on the other three sides.

Once the Health and Safety Authority intervened, the Leinster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union complied with a desire for an earlier kick-off.

For Sunday's game, a temporary barrier will be erected at the junction of the Old Wesley end and the Bective Tennis Club side of the ground where the previous structure was damaged.

The Leinster Branch yesterday released an official statement: "Following discussions with Health and Safety, the Leinster Schools Junior Cup final, sponsored by Powerade, this Sunday, March 25th, between St Michael's College v Blackrock College, has been moved forward to a 1pm kick-off."