Crescent’s Cup ambitions hit by Burke’s absence
The talented Munster and Ireland Schools out-half has not yet recovered from an ankle injury sustained before Christmas and, according to coach Dudley Herbert, Burke’s absence is considered “a huge blow” for the would-be favourites.
Come Saturday evening the quarter-finals will be decided and four teams will be left kicking their heels for the remainder of the season. With this in mind, discussions are already in place to re-jig the Senior Cup next season.
An early Cup exit is considered tough on players and coaches, many of whom are preparing six months for a quarter-final clash, and the Munster Schools committee are considering adopting a new format which will guarantee schools at least two games.
This format has already proven a resounding success at Junior level since its introduction last season. A further meeting by the Schools Committee in May could see an end to the straight knock-out, win-at-all-costs format for the 2008 campaign.
The focus is very much on the field of play this week and, with Burke sidelined, opponents Ard Scoil are in a wonderful position of progressing.
Herbert was dealt another blow over the weekend when full-back Richard Dennehy sustained an ankle injury in training, but the head coach can call upon Munster U-19 Schools scrum-half Diarmuid Upton and other provincial representatives Mark Doyle, Ian Cross, Sean Scanlon and Ken Hanley.
Crescent have 13 of last year’s squad involved and are seeking a first Cup success since a David Wallace-inspired side did the deed in 1994.
Ard Scoil Ris may carry the underdog tag this season but they possess plenty of punch up front. Thanks to the sterling work of head coach Des Harty, still hankering after an elusive Senior Cup, ASR have enjoyed outright success at Junior level in 2003 and 2005 with a runners-up berth sandwiched between in 2004.
Harty’s coaching ticket includes former Munster and Ireland stalwart Mick Fitzgibbon, Johnny Deegan (four time AIL winner with Shannon), and Munster development scrum-half Chris Delooze. The North Circular Road college will be looking to David Twomey, Mark Rowley and David Kilcoyne to steer them to victory.
Today’s other quarter-final is between PBC and Rockwell College at Musgrave Park. Pres went down narrowly, and somewhat controversially, to St Munchin’s (7-3) in last year’s decider but head coach Don Buckley says his squad — liberally sprinkled with Munster U-18s, U-19s and Ireland Schools players — are not on a mission of atonement.
Scott Deasy (captain), Niall Barry, Michael Kennefick, Brian O’Hara, Peter O’Mahony and Ronan Corkery survive from last year.
But for a school with a tradition of producing delightfully-gifted back lines, up front is where their strengths lie — especially in Ireland Schools forwards Kelleher, O’Hara (son of former Munster and Ireland back-row-forward Pat) and O’Mahony. Kevin Kidney (son of Munster coach Declan) is also a member of the PBC senior squad.
Rockwell head coach Martin Daly has assembled a talented squad peopled by Munster U-18 Schools second row Ian Duffy and Ireland Schools number eight James Ryan. Last season Rockwell were sliced and diced by eventual champions St Munchin’s, but 12 months on — with eight of the same squad still on board — the Cashel outfit are primed to create more than a stir. Behind the scrum Dingle native and Munster U-18, William Devane, a member of the Kerry minor football squad in 2006, provides plenty of dash on the wing.
In the other side of the draw St Munchin’s College meet Castletroy in Dorradoyle today while on Saturday CBC take on Glenstal Abbey in Clanwilliam.
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