The final of the 2006 Powerade Leinster Senior Cup will be contested by a team chasing their record 65th title and a school simply looking to claim their first. However, while the trophy rooms of Blackrock College and St Michael's may drastically differ in contents, their respective routes to the final have been similarly emphatic. Both had what were predicted to be extremely tight semi-finals this week. Both simply swept their opposition away.

To the main event first.

While it might show a great deal of disrespect to Michael's and St Mary's, the tie between Belvedere and Blackrock on Friday has been commonly perceived as the true final. A repeat of last year's showdown, their collision course commanded attention all season. And despite the fact that Belvedere had recent history and form behind them, Blackrock claimed the sweetest win imaginable. Having survived a stuttering start, they went on to assert complete dominance. Indeed, had it not been for the heroics of the northside school's defence, it could have been far more embarrassing than 17-6.

Bouyed by two superior performances in the competition so far, it was Belvedere who made the more assured start. With Blackrock's stellar backline at full complement - Vasya Artemiev and Luke Fitzgerald returning to the starting XV after injury - the champions attempted to repeat their trick of last year's final by playing a percentage kicking game and denying the southsiders possession.

This worked perfectly for 20 minutes as Eoin O'Malley kicked two penalties to give them a deserved 6-0 lead.

But Blackrock were not be cowed. Their pack looking far fiercer on the day, they gradually turned over more ball. Pinning Belvedere behind their own 22, they finally made devastating use of possession when scrumhalf David Moore broke from a ruck, feigned a pass and broke the line for a superb try. Aidan Wynne hit a difficult conversion to give Blackrock a 7-6 lead. No longer sure of winning the physical battle, this rattled Belvedere as the pendulum fully swung to Blackrock. All through the second half, they cut Belvedere open at will, only nervous fumbles and desperate saving tackles denying them an unassailable lead. It didn't matter: Belvedere never looked capable of mounting a comeback. The champions were finally deposed nine minutes from time when Darragh Fitzpatrick was gifted an opening right underneath the posts.

While Belvedere displayed a disappointing lack of will, the same will surely not happen to Michael's as they have shown resilience all through this campaign, most notably in their quarter-final win over Clongowes. Against Mary's on Thursday however, they hardly needed it as they stormed to a hugely impressive 21-6 victory. The St Michael's pack, with Ian Leonard to the fore, had far too much power and experience for St Mary's, and gave free reign to their backs, ably directed by Andrew Cummiskey. Having asserted their superiority early with Rajan Reilly running on to Noel Reid's drive, they maintained total command. Killian Finlay did manage a drop goal to cut that lead, but Mary's were soon stretched again when Patrick Mallon finished off a fine team move. Just four minutes into the second half, and the game was effectively killed off, Robert Shanley making it over the line.

Only their third ever final, they will hardly enjoy such freedom against an ominouslooking Blackrock, but that will, no doubt, be compensated by plenty of fight.