Rockwell out for revenge

RUGBY: MUNSTER SCHOOLS' CUP FINAL: Presentation, Cork v Rockwell College:THE 2011 Munster Schools Senior Cup final sees a repeat of last season's decider.

The Cork school took the honours 12 months ago with a 22-10 victory at Thomond Park but today’s clash promises to be a much tighter affair between two evenly matched sides.

Rockwell have fallen short in each of the last two finals but that experience should stand to them as they look to bridge a 10-year gap since their last title.

“Reaching the final isn’t good enough for these players anymore,” says head coach Mark Butler. “They are determined to go a step further this year.”

In all, the Tipperary school have seven survivors from last season’s matchday panel, with another on the bench.

Of that particular grouping, prop Cian O’Donnell has been an inspirational force this season along with giant-sized backrower Luke Cahill, who scored the decisive try in Rockwell’s 13-9 semi-final win over CBC.

That victory came at a cost, however, with influential lock forward Seán McCarthy breaking his arm late on, ruling him out of today’s fixture.

PBC have had injury concerns of their own with tighthead prop Killian Kingston a concern yesterday, though their final line-up remains the same as that which was used to see off Crescent in their semi-final.

The 2010 champions are less power-based than than last season’s victorious outfit but are blessed with some wonderful footballers such as Ross Caplice, Steven Dinan and their irrepressible number eight, Ryan Murphy.

“We’re a completely different type of team from last year,” says coach Peter Scott, “we like to move the ball and overall we’re playing a lot more football.”

With Rockwell also distinguished by their fluid running style, the 102nd senior cup showdown should stand out as one to remember.

PBC:S Glynn; S Dinan, R Scannell, R Caplice, J Kiernan; E Mills, C Bannon; B Scott, W Murphy, K Kingston; P Derham, J Fitzgerald; A Hudson, J Duffy, R Murphy (capt) Subs: D Keohane, D Horgan, A Slattery, D Evans, I Silke, I O'Donoghue, B Fitzgerald.

ROCKWELL: D McGillycuddy; S Horgan, H McNulty, K Kiely, R Jermyn; C Holland, B Haugh; C O'Donnell (capt), D Mulcahy, MJ Murphy; N Flynn, A O'Sullivan; R Moran, L Cahill, S Dwyer. Subs: A Sweeney, E Phelan, D Kennedy, C Ryan, L McGrane, A Lynch, D Johnston.