Ard Scoil wary of in-form Rockwell

ROCKWELL’S demolition of St Munchin’s in the last round of the Avonmore Munster Schools Senior Cup will be of serious concern to Ard Scoil Rís when the sides meet in a quarter-final clash at Clanwilliam this afternoon (3pm)

Rockwell were up and running with a devastating first-half performance that blitzed fancied St Munchin’s 10 days ago and it has made the rest of the participants sit up and take notice.

Shane Buckley captains a side that includes JJ Hanrahan, the out-half who was so influential in Rockwell’s last outing, but Rockwell spokesman Tony Smith insists they would not take the Ard Scoil Rís challenge lightly.

“We played well against Munchin’s but a similar effort will be required against Ard Scoil Rís,” he said.

Meanwhile, St Munchin’s give the same side another chance to advance, although their match, courtesy of back-door entry, against Crescent Comprehensive at Dooradoyle (3pm) is likely to be even tougher.

Crescent are expected to be at full strength and are fresh from an exciting victory over holders CBC Cork in the last round, while St Munchin’s are daring to hope for a major improvement.

Meanwhile, Presentation Brothers College, Cork start hot favourites to dispose of Bandon Grammar School at Temple Hill (3p.m), but are cautious all the same given Bandon’s form.

After winning through to the quarter-final against Castletroy, they gave a good account of themselves against a more experienced team. They expect to be competitive, although the city side should pack too much power.

ROCKWELL: B. O’Rahilly; S. Horgan, H. McNulty, D. McGillacuddy, R. Mullane; JJ Hanrahan, T Rafferty; T. Doyle, R. Moran, C. O’Donnell; S. McGuire, S. McCarthy; S. Buckley (captain), J. Maher, L. Cahill.

ARD SCOIL RIS: M. Leonard; R. Collins, I. McGarry (capt), M. Russell, E. Cummane; J. Gavin, A. Griffin; R. McMahon, M. Fitzgibbon, D. Canny, P. O’Sullivan, S. Brinn, K. Walsh, P. McGinn, I. O’Toole.

ST MUNCHIN’S: B. Mullins; C. Kinane, L. Kuntz, E. Carr, P. Curtis, J. Murray, D. Ryan, S. Gavin, E. Hogan, J. McGovern, G. Ryan, E. Ryan, J. Sheerin, K. McManus, T. Goggin (capt).