Security concerns mean junior final will start at 1pm

SUNDAY’S Leinster Schools Junior Cup final between St Michael’s College and Blackrock College at Donnybrook has been moved forward to 1pm.

Directives from the Health and Safety Authorities have forced Leinster Schools to reschedule Sunday’s decider from its traditional 3:30 pm start time as a result of a crowd incident at the same venue in last Sunday’s Senior Schools decider between St Michael’s and Clongowes.

During the second half, a section of supporters broke through and vandalised a section of the fence and advertising hoarding near the ‘22’ on the touch line terrace side of the ground.

No person was injured in the incident and the situation was swiftly controlled by stewards and Gardaí.

A Leinster spokesperson said: “The change of time is done with the best interests of health and safety — we were advised by Health and Safety Authorities to move the game forward. It’s unfortunate as it takes away from the traditional time but these things happen.

“It’s unfortunate because it affects the players with pre-match meals and whatever goes else goes on that morning. It’s a minor interruption but it’s the same for each school. It has to be done in the best interests of the teams and the supporters.

“Sadly there’s a change, but it’s early enough in the week but people can adapt their schedules around it,”

Castletroy College compete in their first Munster Schools Junior Cup final, sponsored by Avonmore Milk, against traditional heavyweights Presentation Brothers College at Dooradoyle today (kick off 3:45pm).

Castletroy is just seven years in existence, but already the Limerick school has made huge strides in the province, while Pres will be bidding to lift their 27th title and their first since 2002.

This is the second meeting between sides having clashed earlier in the competition. Castletory won that second round tie 5-3.

Castletroy’s path to the final included wins over St Munchin’s, PBC and Ard Scoil Ris and they have built their victories around a superb back-line unit marshalled superbly by Daniel Lucey at scrum half and Peter Murray at out half.

Another Castletroy strength lies in their mobile back row. Michael Dooley starts at six, Kevin Doyle at open-side flanker while the side is skippered by Darragh Hannon who scored two tries in the semi-final.

It is a huge day for the fledgling Limerick school. According to gamesmaster, Declan English, up to 500 student supporters are expected to descend on the Garryowen venue.

Pres began their campaign with an impressive win over CBC. After falling to today’s opponents in the next round, the Cork school rebounded from that set-back with wins over Rockwell and Crescent College Comprehensive. Coach Peter Scott has injury doubts hanging over Cillian Kingston and Robert Hurley, but can call upon the brilliance of fullback Pat Deasy, who scored 17 points in their quarter final win over Rockwell. An accomplished hurler with Blackrock, Deasy took up rugby in first year and has developed into a superb all round footballer and is a name to watch out for in the future.

Other key performers for Pres are number 8 Brian Carroll and 6 ft 2 inch second row David O’Mahony, who is the unsung hero of the side.

Scott expects a formidable challenge from the Limerick college. “They’ve a fantastic nine and ten, and a very good 15. They’re very hardworking and they really defend well with a lot of width and a lot of intelligence. And that makes them a very hard team to break down.

“They’re decent side and it’s no surprise to us they have came into the Cup as favourites. In my book they’ve been the most consistent team all year.”