St Declan's hope to slay another giant

COLLEGES PREVIEW: This week's quarter-finals of the Leinster Colleges' senior football championship includes an intriguing tie between St Patrick's, Navan, and St Declan's, Cabra - who meet in Navan this afternoon (2.30 p.m.).

St Patrick's, champions of two years ago, continue the quest to regain superiority in the province, while St Declan's look to continue the impressive run that has already seen them beat holders Dundalk Schools in the opening round.

The Cabra school have always struggled a little when it came to playing the powerhouses, but their win over the reigning champions was encouraging - even if the Dundalk side were a much-weakened outfit from a year ago. The Carton brothers, Michael and Peader, have been leading the way for St Declan's, with Michael's dual skills already catching the eye of new Dublin hurling manager Marty Morris.

It appears, however, that St Patrick's are back to their best after last year's shock defeat to Dundalk in the final. Their 15-point win over Patrician Newbridge was typically composed and clinical, with Jim Finnerty and Kevin Mulvaney particularly dangerous in the forward line. For St Declan's the away venue may prove fatal.

Sunday's games include another of the competition specialists, St Mel's, Longford, who are at home to Moate CS. St Peter's, Wexford, the extra-time conquerors of Colaiste Eoin, are away to Moyne CS.

There's one all-Kerry semi-final of the Munster senior football on Sunday when Dingle CBS take on champions Coláiste na Sceilge in Killarney. The date of the semi-final between Douglas CS and Tralee CBS has yet to be fixed.

In hurling, the Dublin Colleges will set out to regain the Leinster title won in 2001 when they meet St Brendan's, Birr, in Friday's quarter-final. The two semi-finals in Munster - involving St Flannan's against Doon CBS and St Colman's against De La Salle - are provisionally set for the first weekend in March.

FIXTURES

Today: Leinster Colleges' SF A quarter-final: St Patrick's, Navan, v St Declan's, Cabra, Navan, 2.30. Friday: Leinster Colleges' SH A quarter-final: Dublin Colleges v St Brendan's, Birr, Carlow, 1.30. Sunday: Leinster Colleges' SF A quarter-final: St Mel's, Longford, v Moate CS, Longford, 3.30; Moyne CS v St Peter's, Wexford, Mountmellick, 2.0; Munster Colleges' SF A semi-final: Dingle CBS v Colaiste na Sceilge, Killarney, 2.30.