Clash of Munster's big two eagerly awaited

The greatest challenge facing Christian Brothers College in their quest to bring home the Munster Senior Cup for the third time in succession comes in their opening encounter with Cork rivals Presentation Brothers College.

Whoever manages to come through the clash of the big two will be hard to stop en route to the overall honours.

Christians are considered less powerful compared to previous years although they more than make up for that with some highly skilled backs. Irish Schools scrum-half Pat McCarthy is the key in that area along with three Munster Schools representatives to support him. Presentation have an equally formidable backline to work with, especially with the services of Irish centre Conrad O'Sullivan, all of which should make this game a true test of skill and ability.

At the other end of the draw, Limerick's top two, Crescent Comprehensive and St Munchin's, are likely to battle it out for a place in the final but Rockwell and Ard Scoil Ris will, as always, be difficult to overcome. Crescent boast six players from the Munster panel for their meeting with Ard Scoil Ris and coach Chris Cullinan is well satisfied with the all-round strength of his team.

St Munchin's have assembled an impressive side that includes a substantial number from last year's victorious Junior Cup team.

Rockwell are now guided by New Zealand coach Hogan Chapman and with an excellent record this season, will be looking for a more sustained run than they've produced in recent years.

That leaves St Clement's as the remaining quarter-final school, although their form has been highly suspect so far this season. They will meet the winners of the Mungret Cup where both Glenstal Abbey and St Enda's are expected to produce the main challenge.

Glenstal have nine players on the current Munster B side and having won the Mungret Cup for that last four years, they will be a hard act to break. St Enda's, however, are unbeaten this season and the time may just be right to claim that quarter-final spot.

In Connacht tradition can mean a lot when it comes to Senior Cup rugby and in Connacht that will always bring up the name of Garbally College. Last year the Ballinasloe schoolboys cruised to their 42nd title over Development Cup champions St Saran's although there are signs that this season the domination may not come so easy.

The main challenge is likely to come in the opening clash with Colaiste Iognaid. The Galway side have lost just once in their run up to the cup including an earlier victory over Garbally and on that basis alone have become one of the favourites for a successful campaign. The team is boosted by five members of the Connacht Schools squad that includes the inspiring creativity of out-half and captain Peter O'Farrell.

Garbally, however, won't go down that easy. The five provincial representatives include outhalf Brian Kelly and wing Fergus Lyons who have proven ability to score.

Meanwhile, the steady improvement of St Joseph's College has increased their chances as they go in search of their 15th cup honour. Their towering second row Alan Maher is the only Irish Schools representative from the province and that will give them extra confidence going into their quarter-final game with St Muredach's of Ballina.

Also likely to make their presence felt is Portumna Community School who have increased ambitions after their Junior Cup success of 1997.