De La Salle will oppose Clongowes

De La Salle, Churchtown, will provide Clongowes Wood with the first challenge in their defence of the Leinster Schools' Senior Cup, the draw for which was made yesterday. The Churchtown college - twice winners in the 1980s - is renowned for providing stubborn opposition.

Still, the expectation is that Clongowes will again have a major influence on this year's competition. De La Salle's tradition has wilted somewhat in recent years and there would be no bigger shock in the first round if Clongowes were to fall. A secondround meeting with either St Paul's or Belvedere should fall their way.

Terenure, their final victims last year when just inches made the difference, are also in the top half of the draw where they face Wesley. That shouldn't cause too much sweat but the likelihood is that they will meet southside rivals St Mary's in the second round. Whoever comes through that should get a quarter-final shot at Clongowes.

The ominous shadow of Blackrock dominates the bottom half of the draw but they couldn't have got more troublesome opposition than St Michael's. Wounded from last year, Blackrock will be as hard as ever to knock.

If Blackrock can get over that hurdle, it should be a clear run to the semi-final. Castleknock or Newbridge appear to be the most likely opposition there. And if all that goes to plan, it wouldn't be too much of a surprise to see Blackrock meet Clongowes on St Patrick's Day.

Few Junior Cup titles have been won more emphatically than last year's performance by Blackrock. Now in search of title number 41, they go straight into the second round to meet Castleknock. Tradition will make them favourites and in truth it's hard to see how they won't make it to the semi-finals. Terenure are likely to be the opposition there.