It may have lost the lustre it once boasted but the Leinster Senior Cup is nevertheless coveted by some, notably Terenure College captain Rory Sheriff. He will lead the Lakelands club against Clontarf in tomorrow night's final at Donnybrook (7.0) determined that no one can afford to be picky about silverware.
"I don't think there would be too many clubs willing to give up the chance to win a cup. It might not have been a priority but when you reach a final, losing doesn't enter the equation. In some respects I think this match will be harder than some of the All-Ireland League matches.
"Teams will be aware that you may only get one shot at a cup. You don't want to look back at the end of a season and realise that you threw away an opportunity to win something. It also offers an ideal preparation for the league which starts the following week.
"Most clubs are trying to get team patterns worked out in a short space of time and this match is a good test for the weeks to come."
Sheriff is quick to pay tribute to the influence of new coach Kevin Putt. "He's had a very positive influence. His coaching technique is very different to Gerry's (Murphy) as Putt is more hands on.
"If you don't do things properly then he is not slow to let you know about it but if you do manage to do things properly, then he is very encouraging. We were a young team last season that was a little surprised by what we achieved. Now we are more confident, settled and streetwise.
"What do you say about the final? It's going to be tough, Clontarf are a good side but we hope to win."
Terenure are without Irish fullback Girvan Dempsey (ankle injury), scrumhalf Derek Hegarty (in Dubai) and Eric Miller (rested) but their absence is offset by the fact that they wouldn't have seen too much game time with the club this season.
In Connacht, Buccaneers will not select until tomorrow for Sunday's Cup final while opponents Galwegians won't finalise their team before Saturday. Buccaneers have a doubt about Connacht wing Darren Yapp (hamstring) while Galwegians will be without former Ireland Schools captain and Under-21 outhalf Gavin Duffy who is with the national Sevens team in Dubai.
Galwegians coach John Kingston maintains the theme of preparation for clubs as the AIL looms, pointing out that Sunday's final is really only the second match in which he has anything like a full strength side from which to choose.
Not that he is complaining, for he is aware that his lot is mirrored across the length and breadth of the country.
Terenure College: R Governey; D Coleman, M O'Kelly, M Smyth, J Tracey; S Cullen, D Mahony; S Barretto, J Blaney, J Campbell; R Sheriff (capt), D Quinn; P O'Malley, C Long, L Hammond.
