Omens good for Rockwell

The portents appear prosperous for Rockwell College as they prepare for today's Munster Schools' Senior Cup final against Christian Brothers College, Cork, at Musgrave Park (3.0). The Tipperary college's last success in the competition was in 1985 and in that final they defeated today's opponents 22-4.

That is not the only coincidence. In 1985 Rockwell defeated Glenstal Abbey in the quarter-finals and Crescent College Comprehensive, Limerick in the semi-finals: the exact same route taken this year.

CBC Cork are hoping to emulate the great sides of the early 1970s whose four-in-a-row success from 1971 was never before achieved nor subsequently emulated. Victory today would also push Christians past their arch rivals Pres Cork in the overall roll of honour of 26 wins.

Christians have won the senior cup for the past three seasons and retain three of the starting side from last year's success, captain and centre Kevin Lucey, outhalf Conor Quaid and number eight Frank Cogan. Second row Shane O'Connor came on as a replacement last season. Rockwell though are unlikely to be overawed as they boast the side that won the corresponding Junior Cup.

They beat Crescent in that final after the latter had beaten CBC Cork. Rockwell number eight Denis Leamy represented Ireland Schools last season and is arguably the outstanding schoolboy forward in the country. He is joined by a further three Munster Schools' players in fullback Diarmuid O'Riordan, James Clifford and captain, Karl Sutcliffe: seven of the team played in the cup last season.

History suggests that Rockwell deserve the mantle of favourites but if CBC negate Leamy's influence then they can capture that elusive fourth crown in succession.

CBC Cork: S O'Mahony; C Murphy, J Cullen, K Lucey (capt), M Canning; C Quaid, F Murphy; S Purcell, M Nagle, P Quinlan; K Coughlan, S O'Connor; D Keane, C Duane, F Cogan.

Rockwell College: D O'Riordan; C McNaughton, B Mackey, S Stapleton, M Doyle; A Earley, G Purcell; J Clifford, J O'Donnell, K Sutcliffe (capt), E Macken, P Ryan; B O'Connor, D Leamy, T Fennessy.

Referee: B Smith (Munster).

Ballymena Academy will be hoping that they can atone for last season's disappointment in today's Ulster Schools' Senior Cup final against RBAI at Ravenhill (3.0). That day they lost 18-7 to Campbell College but retain eight of the side.

Among the returning players are Ian Humphreys, a brother of international outhalf David, and Sam McKinney, a son of former international Stewart. Given their experienced backbone they start as favourites this time.

RBAI: C Gibson; C Fee, R McKeown, G Telford or I Keith, A Maxwell; M Rainey (capt), P Bennett; G Kendrick, J Craig, M Stokes; C Sweeney, A Telford; R McKibbin, R Wilson, M Lyttle.

Ballymena Academy (from): C Coulter, J Harper, S Goodrich, J O'Kane, A Harper, I Humphreys, D McCullough; D Campbell, M Stevenson, A Hall, J Adair, J Smyth, S McKinney, M McCullough (capt), A Fleck, D Lowry, G O'Donnell, J McDowell, A Carson, S Boyd, D Harris, C Scott, R Orr, J McKay, R Adair.