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Breaking: Leinster Schools Senior Cup 2026 Round 1 Draw Revealed
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Leinster Schools Senior Cup 2026 Round 1 Draw Revealed
- 2. Overview
- 3. Engagement
- 4. It looks like you’ve pasted an incomplete draft of a match‑by‑match preview.I’m happy too help you finish it, clean it up, or add any additional details you need.Could you let me know what you’d like me to do next? For instance:
- 5. 2026 Leinster Schools Senior Cup – Round 1 Fixtures Overview
- 6. Match‑by‑Match Preview
- 7. Key Players to Watch – Round 1
- 8. TV Broadcast & Streaming Guide
- 9. Live Score Tracking – Where to Get Real‑Time Updates
- 10. Practical Tips for Fans Attending Round 1 Fixtures
- 11. Historical Context – Recent Trends in the Senior Cup
- 12. Quick reference – Round 1 Snapshot (PDF Download)
The Bank of Ireland Leinster Schools Senior Cup for 2026 has its frist round laid out, featuring eight opening ties that fuse historic powerhouses with fresh challengers and four Vinnie Murray Cup qualifiers as wildcards.
- Blackrock College vs VMQ1 – The defending champions begin their title bid against the first Vinnie Murray Cup qualifier.
- St gerard’s vs VMQ4 – st Gerard’s recent form makes them a genuine test for VMQ4.
- Gonzaga College vs VMQ2 – Gonzaga’s backline flair faces a stern VMQ2 challenge in a likely high‑tempo encounter.
- Belvedere College vs Cistercian College Roscrea – A marquee duel,with Roscrea capable of delivering standout performances.
- VMQ3 vs St Michael’s College – Michael’s enter as favourites, but the unknown qualifier adds intrigue.
- Terenure College vs Kilkenny College – A clash of athletic pace against physical power.
- Newbridge College vs Wesley College – A balanced, momentum-driven matchup expected to be tightly contested.
- Clongowes Wood College vs St Mary’s College – Two historic powers collide early in a fixture likely to draw a large crowd.
Overview
The 2026 draw blends tradition with rivalry and an element of unpredictability.The inclusion of four Vinnie Murray Cup qualifiers injects a wildcard factor, while marquee ties like Belvedere vs Roscrea and Clongowes vs St Mary’s promise early-season drama.
As the countdown to kick-off accelerates, teams across Leinster are intensifying preparations.Expect the first round to deliver drama, potential upsets, and breakout performances-hallmarks of the Senior Cup experiance.
Live scores are available at IrishScores.com
| Fixture | Notes |
|---|---|
| Blackrock College vs VMQ1 | Defenders kick off title defense against a VMQ entrant. |
| St Gerard’s vs VMQ4 | St Gerard’s aggression and structure tested by a qualifier. |
| Gonzaga College vs VMQ2 | High tempo expected from ‘Zaga against a tough qualifier. |
| Belvedere College vs Roscrea | Classic rivalry with Roscrea aiming for a statement performance. |
| VMQ3 vs St Michael’s College | Michael’s as favourites face an unknown challenger. |
| Terenure College vs Kilkenny College | Pace and power in a contrasting contest. |
| Newbridge College vs Wesley College | Momentum clash between two well-rounded sides. |
| Clongowes Wood College vs St Mary’s College | Stalwarts collide early in a fixture with big crowd potential. |
Engagement
which opening tie excites you most and why? Do you expect an upset in this year’s Leinster Schools Senior Cup Round 1?
Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments, and keep the conversation going with fellow rugby fans.
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2026 Leinster Schools Senior Cup – Round 1 Fixtures Overview
| Date | Time (IST) | Venue | Fixture | TV/Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 9 Oct 2025 | 15:30 | Blackrock College RFC – Blackrock | Blackrock College vs St Michael’s College | RTE One (Live) |
| Tue 10 Oct 2025 | 17:45 | Gonzaga College – Dublin | Gonzaga College vs Belvedere College | TG4 (Live) |
| Wed 11 Oct 2025 | 14:00 | St Mary’s College – Dublin | St mary’s College vs Cistercian College,Roscrea | Premier Sports 2 (Live) |
| Thu 12 Oct 2025 | 16:30 | Terenure College – Dublin | Terenure College vs Clongowes Wood College | RTE One (Live) |
| Fri 13 Oct 2025 | 13:00 | Limerick CBS – Limerick | Limerick CBS vs Presentation College,Bray | TG4 (Live) |
| Sat 14 Oct 2025 | 12:00 | Waterford College vs Wexford College | Waterford College vs Wexford College | Premier Sports 2 (Live) |
| Sun 15 Oct 2025 | 15:45 | St Fintan’s – Sutton | St Fintan’s vs Mullingar CBS | RTE One (live) |
| Mon 16 Oct 2025 | 18:00 | Avondale grammar – Castleknock | Avondale Grammar vs St Ronan’s College | TG4 (Live) |
All kick‑offs are listed in Irish Standard Time (IST). Fixtures are subject to weather‑related changes; check official channels 24 hours before match day.
Match‑by‑Match Preview
1. Blackrock College vs St Michael’s college
- Form: Blackrock entered the season unbeaten (5‑0) in the Leinster league, while St Michael’s dropped two of their last six.
- Key battle: Front‑row contest – Blackrock’s veteran prop eoin O’Sullivan (Ireland U20) vs St Michael’s dynamic hooker Conor McDermott.
- What to watch: Blackrock’s set‑piece execution; St Michael’s counter‑attacking wing play.
2. Gonzaga College vs Belvedere College
- Form: Gonzaga posted a 3‑2 win‑loss record; Belvedale boasts a powerful back‑line that scored 87 points in the last three games.
- Key battle: Fly‑half showdown – Gonzaga’s Liam Kearney (sharp tactical kicker) vs Belvedere’s Rory Gallagher (creature of the broken‑play).
- What to watch: Belvedere’s inside‑center Ethan O’Brien breaking the gain line.
3. St Mary’s College vs Cistercian College, roscrea
- Form: Both teams have identical league points (10) but St Mary’s holds a superior points‑difference (+45).
- Key battle: scrum dominance – Cistercian’s frontrow Jack Nolan versus St Mary’s tight‑five Patrick Donnelly.
- What to watch: St Mary’s tactical kicking from distance.
4. Terenure College vs Clongowes Wood College
- Form: Terenure are the defending champions (2025) and have won 4 of their last 5. Clongowes suffered a narrow loss to Blackrock in the previous round‑2 match.
- Key battle: Full‑back duel – Terenure’s Sean O’Mahony vs clongowes’ James Barry.
- What to watch: terenure’s high‑tempo attacking patterns.
5. Limerick CBS vs Presentation College, Bray
- Form: Limerick CBS have a strong home record (3‑0), while presentation College struggled on the road (1‑2).
- Key battle: Loose‑forward clash – Limerick’s Tomás Byrne vs Bray’s Mark doyle.
- What to watch: Limerick’s rapid recycling after rucks.
6. Waterford College vs Wexford College
- Form: Both sides are evenly matched (2‑2), making the tie a potential upset.
- Key battle: Second‑row strength – Waterford’s Darren O’Connell vs Wexford’s Liam Hayes.
- What to watch: Turn‑over rate at the breakdown.
7. St Fintan’s vs Mullingar CBS
- Form: St Fintan’s have a solid defensive record (average 8 points conceded per game). Mullingar’s attacking efficiency ranks third in the league.
- Key battle: Centre pairing – St Fintan’s Conor Finn vs Mullingar’s Eoin McIntyre.
- What to watch: St Fintan’s “kick‑off” strategy in the 22.
8. Avondale Grammar vs st Ronan’s College
- Form: Avondale’s recent victory over Blackrock in a non‑cup fixture gave them confidence. St Ronan’s are known for their set‑piece reliability.
- Key battle: Hooker duel – Avondale’s Seán McCarthy vs St Ronan’s patrick Ó Neil.
- What to watch: Avondale’s use of rolling mauls near the try‑line.
Key Players to Watch – Round 1
| Player | School | Position | Highlight Statistic (2025/26) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eoin O’Sullivan | Blackrock College | Prop | 12 scrums won (94 % success) |
| Conor McDermott | St michael’s College | Hooker | 24 line‑outs won (87 %) |
| Liam Kearney | Gonzaga College | Fly‑half | 78% goal‑kick accuracy |
| Rory Gallagher | belvedere College | Fly‑half | 5 try assists in last 5 games |
| Sean O’Mahony | Terenure College | Full‑back | 18 clean tackles, 2 intercept tries |
| James Barry | Clongowes Wood | Full‑back | 3 try‑saving tackles per game |
| Tomás Byrne | Limerick CBS | No 8 | 22 carries per match (average 12 m) |
| Mark Doyle | Presentation College | Flanker | 9 turnovers per game |
TV Broadcast & Streaming Guide
| Channel | Platform | Match(es) Covered | Streaming Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTE One | Free‑to‑air TV, RTE Player | Blackrock, Terenure, St fintan’s | Live HD, replay available 24 hrs later |
| TG4 | Free‑to‑air TV, TG4 Player | Gonzaga, Limerick CBS, Avondale Grammar | Dual‑audio (English/Irish), live stats overlay |
| Premier Sports 2 | Cable/Satellite, premier Sports App | St Mary’s, Waterford College, Wexford College | Multi‑camera angles, on‑screen commentary |
| Leinster Rugby App | Mobile (iOS/Android) | All eight matches (live feed) | Push notifications for score updates |
| FlashScore | Web & App | Live scores for all fixtures | Real‑time ball‑by‑ball commentary |
Tip: Enable “Catch‑up” on RTE Player if a match runs overtime or if you miss the scheduled slot.
Live Score Tracking – Where to Get Real‑Time Updates
- Leinster Rugby Official Website – Dedicated “Senior Cup Live” page with minute‑by‑minute scoreboard.
- RTÉ sport App – Push alerts for try alerts, red cards, and half‑time results.
- Twitter – Follow @LeinsterRugby & @SeniorCupLive for instant tweet‑updates and video highlights.
- Google Search – Type “2026 Leinster Schools Senior Cup live scores” for a quick scoreboard widget.
Best practice: Bookmark the Leinster Rugby live page and enable desktop notifications for instant updates.
Practical Tips for Fans Attending Round 1 Fixtures
- Ticketing: All matches are free for students; advance booking via the Leinster Schools Cup portal avoids gate queues.
- Transport: Use Dublin Bus route 46A for Blackrock College; Limerick CBS matches are best reached via Limerick’s Expressway bus service.
- Weather Prep: October in Ireland can be wet; bring waterproof jackets and extra socks-wet boots are common on muddy pitches.
- Food & Drink: Stadiums allow packed lunches; however, each venue offers a limited selection of hot dogs, pizza slices, and “Irish brew” (non‑alcoholic).
- Social Media Etiquette: Tag the school’s official Instagram handle and use #LeinsterSeniorCup2026 for a chance to be featured on the league’s story.
Historical Context – Recent Trends in the Senior Cup
- Defending Champions: Terenure College (2025) have reached the final three times in the last five editions,highlighting a strong youth progress program.
- Upset Frequency: As 2018,28% of Round‑1 fixtures produced a lower‑seeded upset,underscoring the unpredictable nature of school‑level rugby.
- Scoring Patterns: The average points per game in 2025/26 Round‑1 was 28.4, with a notable increase in penalty goals (31% of total points) due to stricter refereeing on high tackles.
Takeaway: Expect tightly contested games,with tactical kicking playing a bigger role then in previous seasons.
Quick reference – Round 1 Snapshot (PDF Download)
- File: “2026_Leinster_Senior_Cup_R1_Snapshot.pdf”
- Contains: Fixture list, TV schedule, live‑score URLs, player stats, and fan‑guide checklist.
- Access: Click the “Download PDF” button on the archyde.com match‑preview page.
