Munster's schools rugby aristocracy may find a vice-like grip on the Schools' Cup final at St Patrick's Day, loosened a little this season.

Following on St Munchin's College excellent victory in last season's final is the expectation of two other Limerick schools, Ard Scoil Rís and Glenstal Abbey, that they too can defy the history books.

Seminal schools heavyweights Christian Brothers College, Cork and their city rivals Presentation Brothers are expected, of course, to once again dispute their dominance of the competition.

Five years ago, Ard Scoil Rís inhabited the weaker Section A, but they have made great strides to muscle in amongst the elite.

Twice this season they have beaten Pres Cork and, if they can account for Rockwell College, they will earn a third tilt at the Cork school.

They have already scalped Rockwell and Crescent, their only defeat being to Limerick opposition at the hands of Munchin's.

Glenstal, too, are threatening the established order and some observers of the Munster schools scene have suggested that they will provide Munchin's with a serious examination in the quarter-final.

It is not as if the schools will lack motivation as there is a perception that the Munster Schools side kowtows to a select few schools in terms of its composition.

A glance at the interprovincial championship results over the past three seasons would indicate that Munster would be much bettered served broadening their selection base.

The ultimate arbiter will be performances on the pitch and in that respect there are plenty of players who will welcome the opportunity.

The competition itself is going from strength to strength highlighted by the fact that the biggest growth areas in the province in terms of new schools competing are Tipperary (9) and Kerry.

Castle Island (2), Killorglin Tarbert and Tralee have taken to the oval ball.

As to the winners?

Ard Scoil Rís are expected to sidestep the challenge of Rockwell in the quarters, but may find the rarified atmosphere of a semi-final a little challenging against the old hands, Pres Cork.

CBC Cork and St Munchin's are expected to meet in the other semi-final with few betting against an all-Cork final.

The aristocracy may be under pressure, but they're not about to abdicate just yet.

WEDNESDAY

Section A

(A) Colaiste Mhuire, Crosshaven v St Clement's, Crosshaven; (B) High School, Clonmel v Newtown, Clonmel; (C) Midleton College v St Nessan's, Midleton; (D) Bandon Grammar v Abbey CBS, Tipperary.

Winner of A v B meets the Winner of C v D.

Winner of that match goes forward to the quarter-finals.

Quarter-finals

February 9th: (E) CBC Cork v Crescent, tbc.

February 12th: (F) Winner of Section A plays PBC Cork, tbc.

February 13th: (G) St Munchin's College v Glenstal, tbc.

February 16th: (H) Ard Scoil Rís v Rockwell, tbc.

Semi-finals

February 23rd: (I) Winner E v Winner G, tbc.

March 2nd: (J) Winner F v Winner H, tbc.

Final

March 17th: Winner I v Winner J, tbc.