CONNACHT SENIOR CUP FINAL:COLÁISTE IOGNÁID will be bidding to win their fourth Connacht Schools Senior Cup final in five years when they take on Sligo Grammar School at the Sportsground today (2pm).

The Jes from Galway city will enter the final as favourites against a Sligo side striving for their first title since 2003.

Both schools have captured the Connacht title eight times, and today’s winners will move to outright third in the roll of honour behind Garbally College (44 titles) and St Joseph’s from Galway city, who have captured the crown 12 times.

Today’s meeting is the latest encounter in a great rivalry between the Jes and Sligo Grammar in recent years.

Bragging rights belong to Coláiste Iognáid, who defeated Sligo Grammar in the 2005 and 2006 finals.

Both schools encountered few problems in advancing to this year’s decider, with Sligo Grammar dishing out a 68-0 hammering to St Joseph’s, before going on to defeat Garbally College 38-8 in the semi-finals.

They will be hoping the likes of Aaron Spring, Paddy Hazelton and Scott Oates continue the impressive form they have shown to date once again this afternoon.

Coláiste Iognáid, who are boosted by the return from injury of captain Shane Conneely and Rory Cunningham, were equally impressive in their march to the final.

They defeated Calasanctius College 34-8 in the quarter-finals, before ousting Marist College from Athlone 25-11 in what was a repeat of last year’s final.

They have a well-balanced side and, in a lively three-quarter line, Eoin Griffin and Colin Conroy have the capability to guide them on their way to retaining their crown.