THERE should be plenty of excitement, entertainment and vociferous acclamation at Lansdowne Road this afternoon and tomorrow when the semi finals of the Leinster Schools Senior Cup take place. The defending champions, Blackrock College, take on old rivals Terenure this afternoon, while tomorrow it is an all Kildare affair when Clongowes meets Newbridge.

Blackrock, who have defeated CBC Monkstown and St Michael's to reach this stage, have been rated the warmest of favourites to retain the title. But that burden seemed to weigh heavily on the team in the quarter final tie against St Michael's. Blackrock prevailed, but not without a fright and considerable difficulty.

Terenure, who last won the cup in 1993, overcame what was rated formidable opposition in Belvedere in the first round and then accounted for PBC Bray and King's Hospital. Blackrock and Terenure have provided some memorable cup battles through the years, and this afternoon we could get another in the best traditions of encounters between the two great rivals.

Clongowes have a tremendous cup record in recent years. Champions in 1988, they won the title again in 1991 and were finalists in 1990, and for the past three years. So two wins and six appearances in the final in eight years is striking testimony to their cup fighting qualities. They could need those against their neighbours, who have been impressive in their advance to the penultimate stage.

Newbridge have defeated Templeogue and Castleknock while Clongowes accounted for Wesley, St Mary's and High School to get to the semi final against a Newbridge side rated the best to come out of the college for a long time. Newbridge last won the title 26 years ago, their last appearance in the final.