Much at stake as youth gets its time in the spotlight

Leinster Schools Junior Cup:The Leinster Schools Junior Cup is the first blip on the province's professional radar. Make a name for yourself here and an under-16 development squad is the prize come transition year, with the exception of the chosen few who progress straight to the senior ranks.

It's no surprise then that several leading schools' coaches have dropped down to the JCT squads to ensure a base standard in skills development. For example, down in Clongowes, Leinster under-19 coach Noel Murray runs the juniors, while Clontarf coach Andy Wood does likewise in Belvedere.

This year's final on Friday, March 14th, at Donnybrook acts as an ideal curtain-raiser to a feast of rugby. Twenty-four hours later Ireland go to Twickenham seeking a five-in-a-row over England in the last Six Nations match before the Senior Cup decider takes place at the RDS on Sunday.

It's plausible that Clongowes will be chasing a junior and senior double that weekend as they field two formidable cup teams.

Castleknock are well placed to cause an upset in the first round, but Clongowes' defining challenge looks likely to be a quarter-final meeting with Blackrock on February 7th.

One from St Mary's, Belvedere and league champions Roscrea should be waiting in the semi-final.

On the other side of the draw, last seasons runners-up St Michael's return with a decent team. They should face Terenure in the last eight before a semi-final, probably, against CBC Monkstown or Gonzaga.

Prediction time. Blackrock have the quality to edge past Clongowes and set up a repeat of last year's final, where they will defend their title.

Regardless, the next group of aspiring internationals will be known come the conclusion of 2008 Junior Cup.