Old rivalries are renewed in Munster Senior Cup

THE Munster Senior Cup was once the most coveted rugby prize in the province. It’s still important but events at provincial level have overtaken just about everything at club level.

Yet, today there will be several spats between age-old rivals, not least the clashes between holders Shannon and Young Munster at Coonagh, Cork Constitution and Dolphin at Temple Hill and UCC and Garryowen at the Mardyke.

Shannon have ruled the roost in this competition over the last few seasons, and whilst Coonagh is hardly the ideal backdrop for a Cup clash between these great old rivals, it's clear both sides will give it everything.

Constitution, meanwhile, will take the field at Temple Hill under the coaching expertise of former player Brian Walsh.

The coach will look to build on the recent Cork Charity Cup final victory over their Ballyphehane-based rivals Dolphin, but has made a number of changes.

"It's all about a build up to the All Ireland League really. We have a number of top players unavailable and we want to give everyone in the squad a fair chance."

College will have Richard Lane and Frank Murphy back in action hopefully after both were involved with Munster in Wales last evening.

The club has lost Conrad O'Sullivan to Constitution, Stephen Keogh to Shannon, Peter O'Brien to Con and Peter Moran to Lansdowne, but hope to benefit at some stage from the experience of another Munster representative Denis Leamy who is currently on the injured list.

Four first-rank players Dave Harty, Donnacha Ryan, Shay O'Connell and Rob Quinn are unavailable through injury as well but coaches Bryan Hyland and Ian Sherwin believe they have the capacity to have a decent crack at the more experienced Garryowen.

Although there is no major sponsor for the competition as yet, this tournament may well throw up a few decent games and some new young players as well.

UCC: R. Lane, C. Murphy, D. O'Kane, J. O'Flynn, P. Hurley, C. Quaid, F. Murphy, F. Gateley, J. Rothwell, V. Soden, A. Laffan, JJ Cahill, M. Cosgrave, H. O'Flynn, D. O'Neill (captain).

CORK CONSTITUTION: D. O'Brien, A. Cowley, J. Vincent-Igarza, R. O'Donovan, S. McColl, T. O'Leary, G. Murray, D. Fogarty, J. O'Driscoll, S. O'Connor, K. Coughlan, B. O'Connor, F. Cogan, J. Murray.

Fixtures (3pm unless stated): Today: Cork Constitution v Dolphin, Temple Hill 5 pm, Shannon v Young Munster, Coonagh, Clonakilty v Sunday's Well, Clonakilty, UCC v Garryowen, Mardyke, Old Crescent v Thomond, Rosbrien, UL/Bohemians v Highfield, Annacotty.