Rockwell expect difficult CBC test
Ironically, despite their relatively close geographical presence, it will be the first time the schools have met this season, and for that reason, it’s a difficult one to call.
However, Christians will most likely be slight favourites on the basis of having beaten the highly rated Crescent Comprehensive, following a 22-0 win over Ard Scoil Rís in Round one.
Rockwell have benefited from a hard-fought 5-3 win against Glenstal before they went on to comprehensively defeat Castletroy College.
Coach Tony Smith believes Christians will be a difficult proposition. “They’re a side that traditionally provides a challenge to anyone through the forwards, and we’re expecting an equally daunting challenge behind the scrum.”
The Rockwell coach does have six players from last year’s successful side at his disposal, including skipper Sean McCarthy, a nephew of former Munster and Ireland great Mick Galwey.
CBC coach Peter Melia is aware that the tie is laced with danger: “Because we didn’t play them this season it’s difficult to assess where both teams stand; as a result, we’ve really had to concentrate on where we are ourselves. They beat us in the semi-final last season and we don’t have many players back, but we feel happy to have progressed well this season”, said Melia.
“We’re hoping that the tough game against Crescent last time out — when no team deserved to lose – will have helped us prepare for this one.”
CBC: T Quinlan, G Ryan, T Morehead, J McCarthy, C McAuliffe, D O’Riordan (captain), C O’Regan, C Slowey, R Daly, R Burke, T Arrigan, D Moloney, A Mintern, D Stokes, M Ryan.
ROCKWELL: D Johnston, A Lynch, R Jermyn, K Kiely, S McMahon, A Moynihan, D McGrath, J McCormack, D Mulcahy, J Maxwell, D Foley, S McCarthy (captain), A Sweeney, A Butler, S Dwyer.
