MUNSTER SENIOR CUP FINAL PREVIEW/Castletroy College v CBC:CASTLETROY COLLEGE, appearing in their first decider, and CBC, who share the record of 27 titles with their Cork rivals PBC, clash in what promises to be a fascinating final to the Avonmore Milk Munster Schools' Senior Cup final at Dooradoyle this afternoon.

This is the 99th final and it brings together, on the one hand, a school competing in the event for only the third time, and on the other, a side steeped in the history of the competition and whose first win dates back to its inaugural year in 1909.

On that basis, Christians should be regarded as hot favourites and it certainly will be a surprise should they fail to go on and record their 28th success.

On their way to the final, they defeated Ard Scoil Rís by 13-6 and Glenstal 18-12.

They are hopeful schools international Brian Hayes, who missed the earlier rounds because of an ankle injury, will be fit to take his place in the secondrow.

CBC include several players from distinguished families that have already achieved success in the competition, most notably centre Joe Holland, a son of Jerry Holland, who has three medals to his credit and is manager of the Munster senior team.

Holland's fellow centre, Billy O'Regan, is a son of Alex O'Regan, who will forever be remembered for his drop goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time which enabled Christians to beat PBC in the 1976 final.

Castletroy College was only founded in 2002 and so cannot boast anything like the same tradition although they received a massive morale -boost last week when they went to Cork and won the Junior Cup by beating PBC.

Furthermore, on their way to the senior final, they created a major shock when beating red-hot favourites PBC in the semi-final by 23-22 thanks to a two-try contribution from centre Diarmuid McCarthy, the second of which came deep into stoppage time.

They had earlier disposed of Rockwell by 14-8.

CBC: O Mulrooney; D Loftus, J Holland, B O'Regan, B O'Leary; P Parfrey, D Foley; C Corkery, K Stokes, J Bransfield; J Mulcahy/B Hayes, K O'Dwyer; J Crowley, B O'Callaghan, capt, W Ryan.

CASTLETROY COLLEGE: C Joyce-Power; D Moroney, K Clancy, D McCarthy, C Dillon; D Byrne, P Murray; C Laffan, P Hogan, S Murphy; P Dooley, capt, D Frawley; K Doyle, E Sweeney, D Bonfil.