Castleknock 2 v Rush 3 – Sun 31st August – Malahide C.C – 12.30 pm
This weekend sees the last of the 2014 finals with the completion of this year’s competition for the second oldest Leinster trophy. The Junior Cup was first won by Royal Hibernian in 1910 and they retained it in 1911. Other names from its early years are Pembroke Wanderers (yes they must have had a cricket team), Sandymount 2nds and St.Paul’s. The first modern name to appear is Merrion in 1920 followed closely by Railway and Steam Packet Union 2nds in 1923. Many clubs long gone appear in later years – Irish Times, Sackville Press, Harding, Pioneer and Postal Services. Of clubs still with us, Leinster have been the most successful with teams appearing on the trophy twelve times over the years. The name of this year’s finalist Rush first appears in 1933 but shortly after, they had a purple patch with three in a row wins 1937 – 39. Since then, success has been more limited with only two wins, in 1977 and most recently in 1992. Their opponents Castleknock are a club of much more recent origin and are seeking their first cup trophy. On league form there is not much between them so it looks like anybody’s game.