Kilkenny key: Peter Lydon

Leinster 'A' centre Kyle Tonetti was at out-half when St Gerard's made their one and only semi-final appearance five years ago. They caused an upset by beating Terenure College in the quarters that year before succumbing to the Blackrock machine in the last four. Could history repeat itself when Gerard's play Blackrock on Thursday?

Blackrock coach Peter Smyth is on his guard. "After seeing the performance St Gerard's put in against Terenure, a repeat of our Belvedere performance won't be good enough to beat them," he warned. Smyth may opt for a change or two in selection even though 'Rock have a clean bill of health from their win over Belvedere (20-13) in the first round.

Meanwhile, Roscrea are fretting over Brian Moylett and Craig Farrell ahead of their clash with St Mary's.

St Mary's are serious contenders after beating Newpark 46-0 in the opening round. Elsewhere, Kilkenny will look to half-backs Patrick O'Driscoll and Peter Lydon and centre Fraser Horan, a hat-trick poacher in the first round whitewash of St Andrew's, in their game against Clongowes. The Kildare side's suffocating defence is a weapon in itself, forcing turnover ball in contact for the likes of out-half David Quirke and full-back Steven MacAuley.

In Munster, Castletroy take on CBC Cork. Christians' Ireland schools lock Simon Handbidge and openside Cathal Gallagher are hindered by hamstrings and their back-up scrum-half Cathal O'Regan is definitely out for two weeks. Castletroy hooker James Rael will have to hit Michael Dwyer and David O'Brien in the lineout and Neil Cronin and Padraic Quinn will look to bring centres Stephen O'Carroll and Peter Murray into the game at every opportunity.

Crescent Comprehensive's Tom Ryan will be given every chance to prove his fitness for what is sure to be a tough local derby against St Munchin's who need backrower Tom Goggin to fire.

Rockwell must start well against Ard Scoil Rís and will rely on Shane Buckley to get them going while Ard's Ireland Schools centre Jamie McGarry will be looking for gaps to exploit throughout.

PBC Cork will have to be on their guard against complacency when facing Bandon Grammar and will be looking to Niall Scannell and Bryan Carroll to perform.

In Connacht, Coláiste Iognáid will need openside Aaron Conneely and Rory Cunningham in top form to hold off Garbally who will look to David Freeman, Aidan Loughery and David Tierney for inspiration.

Fixtures

* Powerade Leinster Schools Senior Cup (games at 3.00)

Wednesday Cistercian Roscrea v St Mary's College, Lakeland's Park

Thursday Blackrock College v St Gerard's, Donnybrook; Clongowes Wood College v Kilkenny College,Templeville Road

Sunday, 14 February St Michael's v Castleknock,Donnybrook

* Powerade Leinster Schools Junior Cup (games at 2.30 unless stated)

Today St Mary's v Terenure, Donnybrook

Tuesday St Michael's v Kilkenny, Donnybrook

Wednesday Gonzaga v Castleknock, Kilternan; High School v Clongowes Wood, Suttonians RFC; Newbridge v CBC Monkstown, Anglesea Rd; Pres Bray v St Patrick's, Coolmine, 3.00

* Connacht Senior Cup Quarter-Finals

Tuesday Clifden CS v Summerhill, Clifden, 1.30

Thursday Garbally v Colaiste Iognáid, Ballinasloe, 2.30

Saturday Gallen CS v St Joseph's, Galway/Athenry CS, time tbc

* Munster Schools Senior Cup Quarter-Finals

Tuesday Castletroy v CBC, Young Munster RFC, 3.00

Wednesday Rockwell v Ardscoil, Clanwilliam FC, 3.00; PBC v Bandon, Temple Hill, 3.00; Crescent v St Munchin's, Dooradoyle, 3.30pm