Senior Cup "Team of the Round" from Facebook

Senior Cup Fantasy Team.

Note I did NOT make this team.

This is from the "Leinster Schools Senior Cup Facebook Page"

I certainly do not disagree with the choice of players, I do however think that there are many players forgotten in the Line up. In the St Michales Match against Castleknock College, flanker Jack O'Neill played exceptionally well, withstanding the fact that he was injured from the first phase almost, he is a stereotypical flanker, being at the right place at the right time, and intelligent in his decisions he made. Obviously not enough ? In the Clongowes match versus St Gerard's, outhalf Fergal Cleary orchestrated well his backline. His passing was on form and decision making correct.
Above all my biggest surprise was, the performance St Michaels hooker Richie Allen, he had a fantastic match, making a number of breaks and some tremendous tackles. That said, Andy Roche had an even better performance, although I do think Allen could have been mentioned as the tighthead rather than McKeever...
Gary Ringrose really did outplay his main contender Harrison Brewer, although he will be hard to come out on top next round I think. Had there been a "best player" chosen, I think this would have been too tight to call. Having many players put in superb efforts, the final contenders would be in my opinion Andy Roche, Billy Dardis or Gary Ringrose between them it would be too tight to say...

Interview with John Fogarty

Interview with John Fogarty ex Irish International and Leinster player.

(Note this was conducted before the St Michaels match against Catleknock)

We asked, " What are your expectations for the cup this year ?"

He said that basically; Terenure College are favorites however they have a lot to live up to, and maybe they could be too confident ? They do however have a number of good players especially in Billy Dardis, Harrison Brewer, Andy Roche, and Tim Schmidt. But this will not be enough to secure the title.

We asked, "Are there any players to look out for this year ?"

He said again that; there were a good few players in Terenure to look out for. St Micheals have a good foundation in the squad this year with a number of younger players, "I don't like putting pressure on any players so I wont name them" However he indicated there were some from St.Michaels. He did although name that fullback Cian Kelleher would be a threat to any defence. (He proved to be right) In Blackrock, they also had quite a few good players, and that this year would be in preperation for next years effort in winning the cup.

And we asked " In your opinion who is a dark horse this year ?"

I think that Blackrock have been quiet, that said they are always expected todo well every year. This could work to their advantage. They appear to have a chip on their shoulder from last years defeat in the first round to Terenure. Their pack is really quite big, with Oliver Jager and Nicholas Timoney being a big part to it. St Marys have been quiet in this year so far, although they beat Clongowes and St Micheals at home. They have a small but strong side, quick and intelligent on their feet, but will depend on how they get on in Fridays match against CBC Monkstown.

Special Thanks to John Fogarty for allowing us to interview him, and Michael Kineen for helping me write and document the article !