The Leinster Schools Senior Cup returns today with two of Ireland’s biggest rugby schools going head to head in the first round. Pre-Tournament favourites Blackrock College face St. Michael’s at noon in Energia Park.
Rock has won the tournament a record 69 times which is more than the rest of the schools combined. The two sides met last November, in a game that Blackrock narrowly defeated St.Michaels by a score of 20-14. Rock have also enjoyed recent wins over Clongowes, Belvedere, CBC Cork, Methody and St. Mary’s since Christmas.
Both schools are very familiar with each other, and many of the same players that will line out this afternoon have plenty of memories from this venue at Junior level, where they contested the Cup Final in 2019 with St. Michael’s coming out on top.
Justin Vanstone has several provincial underage Leinster players at his disposal. Backs Oliver Coffey, Luke Kritzinger, James O’Sullivan and Ruben Moloney were all involved with the Leinster U18 Schools team this year. Second rows Michael Colreavy and Alex Mullan were also involved with the squad, as well as back rows Inigo Cruise O’Brien and Tom Brigg.
Blackrock also have Leinster U19 players Ethan Laing, Hugh Cooney, Zach Quirke, Paddy McCarthy, Gus McCarthy and Liam Molony in contention to start.
Newbridge defeated Blackrock College in the 2021 Junior Cup and Vanstone has a number of players who have made the jump up to the senior squad since the disappointing loss.
Three forwards who made serious impacts for their side during the 2021 Junior Cup are Jack Angulo,Tommy Butler and Donnacha McGuire. The trio have also been selected by Blackrock for the upcoming Senior Cup.
Backs Derry Moloney, Charlie Woodcock, Conor O’Shaughnessy and Charlie Molony are also named in the squad and will be eager to show that they can make the big jump from junior rugby to senior rugby.
Michael’s also have an array of talent in their ranks with many players capable of causing a first round upset. Captain Sam Berman has been in terrific try scoring of late for his side and his link up with Wilhelm de Klerk and James Nicholson has all the ingredients to cause the Rock defence trouble.
In the pack Michael’s will be looking towards David Woods and Mikey O’Reilly as well as back row pairing Dan Carroll and Matthew Victory.
The only survivor from the 2020 campaign is scrum half Fintan Gunne and there’s no doubt that Emmet MacMahon will be looking at his number nine to bring the experience and knowledge of the competition to his team.
Luke Delaney
Luke is a final year Journalism student in DCU. He is a Sports Reporter for Wicklow People Sport and FinalWhistle.ie.