Pres to face Castletroy in Munster Senior Cup opener

PBC, the Munster Schools Senior Cup holders, start their title defence against Castletroy College in the first-round in January.

They joined great rivals, CBC, at the top of the roll-of-honour with 29 victories following their 11-3 win over Glenstal Abbey in a rain-lashed final at Thomond Park last St Patrick’s Day.

Christians take on Ardscoil Ris while there could be two west Cork schools involved with Bandon Grammar School meeting St Munchin’s and Bantry Community School are just one game away from making an historic first appearance.

They meet St Clement’s in a first-round qualifier next Tuesday with the reward of a game against one of the fancied sides, Crescent College Comprehensive, on offer.

Junior cup holders, Christians, who defeated Crescent 21-19 in a memorable decider for their 18th title, play either Ardscoil Ris or the qualifier loser involving Bantry and St Clement’s. The winners meet Crescent.

The senior cup draw is: Bandon GS v St Munchin’s; Glenstal Abbey v Rockwell College; PBC v Castletroy College; St Clement’s or Bantry CS v Crescent CC; CBC v Ardscoil.

Games are scheduled for the week starting January 15 and it’s the same format as last season.

The five first-round winners will progress to the quarter-finals with four earning home draws.

One of the first-round losers will get a bye to the last-eight with the remaining four schools playing to determine the other two quarter-final places.