Attempt to stop one-sided games

In what Caleb Powell, the chairman for the Leinster Schools, called a "major revamp of the Cup," the Coca-Cola Leinster Schools' Cup draw was made last night in a brand new format aimed at reducing the number of one-sided games in the competition.

Section B, as it was, has been split into Section B and Section C. First, the 13 mid-ranked schools, plus four qualifiers from Section A, otherwise known as the weaker section, will contest the Vincent Murray Cup in honour of the late Clongowes Wood College coach.

All four semi-finalists in the Murray Cup will qualify, alongside the traditionally stronger schools like Blackrock College and Terenure College, for the first round proper of the Leinster Senior Cup. The same format applies to the Junior Cup.

The most intriguing match-ups in the Senior Cup first round are located at either end of the draw. Defending champions St Mary's College have been paired with Clongowes Wood College and last year's beaten finalists Belvedere College will meet St Michael's College.

Blackrock College are the pre-tournament favourites for the Senior Cup. They should have little difficulty in handling King's Hospital in the first round.

LEINSTER SCHOOLS' JUNIOR (Cup draw): Section B - Fr Gregory Cup. First Round (All Jan 20th) - A. St Paul's v CUS, Distillery Road; B. Wesley v King's Hospital, Terenure College; C. Kilkenny v Newpark CS, Newbridge; D. Pres Bray v Naas CBS, King's Hospital; E. St Andrew's v Newbridge, Barnhall.

Second Round (All Jan 27th) - F. St Columba's v Winners of A, Sydney Parade; G. Winners of B v Winners of C, Templevile Road; H. Winners of D v Winners of E, Anglesea Road; I. Skerries CC v High School, Coolmine.

Semi-finals - J. Winners of F (Qualifier 1) v Winners of G (Qualifier 2); K. Winners of H (Qualifier 3) v Winners of I (Qualifier 4).

Final - L. Winners of J v Winners of K.

Section C. First Round - A. Gonzaga v CBC Monkstown, Feb 12th, Donnybrook; B. Clongowes Wood v Qualifier 4, Feb10th, Barnhall; C. Qualifier 3 v St Gerard's, Feb 10th, Merrion Road; D. St Michael's v Castleknock, Feb10th, Donnybrook; E. Roscrea v Qualifier 2, Feb10th, Portlaoise; F. Templeogue v Blackrock, Feb 11th, Donnybrook; G. St Mary's v Qualifier 1, Feb 10th, Lakelands Park; H. Terenure v Belvedere, Feb 9th, Donnybrook.

Second Round (All Donnybrook) - I. Winners of A v Winners of B, Feb 24th; J. Winners of C v Winners of D, Feb 25th; K. Winners of E v Winners F, Feb 26th; L. Winners of G v Winners of H, Feb 23rd.

Semi-final (Donnybrook) - M. Winners of I v Winners of J, March 5th; N. Winners of K v Winners of L, March 6th.

Final - O. Winners of M v Winners of N.