Defending champions St Peter’s of Wexford have been drawn in a tough group with Dublin and Westmeath opponents in the battle to retain the Br Bosco Cup as Top Oil Leinster Schools Senior A Football champions.

A large crowd gathered in Croke Park for an open draw to decide the new group stage format for the Top Oil Senior A championship, which will also carry a new name in honour of the late Br Bosco Mulhare.

The most prestigious cup in Leinster Schools football hasn’t been retained since Colm O’Rourke’s St Patrick’s of Navan managed the feat in 2006/07.

St Peter’s will need to see off the attention of top Dublin school St Benildus College, and also Athlone Community College if they are to advance to the quarter finals.

In attendance at Croke Park for the draw and launch of the Top Oil Leinster Schools Senior Football ‘A’ Championship were, from left, Des Halpenny, Leinster Schools Chairperson, Gerard Boylan, CEO Top Oil, Ben Maddock of St. Peter’s Wexford, Charlie Carter, Top Oil, Brian Deeney of St. Peter’s Wexford and Jim Bolger, Leinster GAA Chairman with the Brother Bosco Cup.

Last year’s beaten finalists, Moate CS – who have Dessie Dolan on their teaching and coaching staff – have been drawn in another difficult trio along with St Pat’s and St Mary’s of Knockbeg.

The draw was performed by Kildare senior football star and PwC all-star nominee Daniel Flynn – himself a former Leinster and All-Ireland winner with St Mary’s of Edenderry in 2012.

Leinster GAA Chairman Jim Bolger said: “This Top Oil Senior A Cup has a long and proud tradition in Leinster GAA. By expanding its format to provide more games at a high-level of competition we believe it can be a crucial tool in the work we are doing to raise standards across the Province.

“In Br Bosco we also have someone worthy of recognition. He gave selflessly of his time and was passionate about Gaelic Games and left a positive legacy from his work with the Patrician order in Tullow, Newbridge and Ballyfin.

“Thanks to our generous support from Top Oil we are able to maintain our tradition of supplying free playing equipment to the 240 plus schools who are affiliated to Comhairle Laighean every year.”

Gerard Boylan, CEO of Top Oil said: “Like the GAA, we are invested in the communities which we are proud to serve.

“We have a long tradition of links to Gaelic Games through our staff and are delighted to sponsor this important competition which develops young talent.

“Best wishes to all the teams in pursuit of Top Oil Schools success this season.”

At Croke Park for the draw and launch of the Top Oil Leinster Schools Senior Football ‘A’ Championship are Gerard Boylan, CEO Top Oil, and Jim Bolger, Leinster GAA Chairman. 

The new format ditches the straight knockout competition of previous years. In addition to the 18 teams in six opening round groups there are also five combined schools teams representing Drogheda Schools, Dundalk Schools, Louth Schools, Offaly Schools and Wicklow Schools who will play off to reach the quarter finals.

The opening games are due to take place the week of November 15. The draw for the group stage is as follows:

GROUP A: St Mel’s, Longford; Patrician, Newbridge; Sc Aodhain.

GROUP B: St Patrick’s, Navan; St Mary’s, Knockbeg; Moate CS

GROUP C: Col Mhuire, Mullingar; Col Eoin; Sc Mhuire, Clane

GROUP D: Good Counsel, Wexford; Naas CBS; St Mary’s, Edenderry

GROUP E: St Benildus Col;  St Peter’s, Wexford; Athlone CC

GROUP F: Maynooth PP; St Fintan’s HS, Sutton; Marist College, Athlone.

In attendance at Croke Park for the draw and launch of the Top Oil Leinster Schools Senior Football ‘A’ Championship was, Daniel Flynn of Kildare, with representatives of St Pat’s Navan, from left, Colm O’Rourke, Dylan Keating and Aaron Lynch. 

At Croke Park for the draw and launch of the Top Oil Leinster Schools Senior Football ‘A’ Championship were, from left, Gerard Boylan, CEO Top Oil, Des Halpenny, Leinster Schools Chairperson, John Mulhare, brother of the late Brother Bosco after whom the cup is now named; and Jim Bolger, Leinster GAA Chairman, with the Brother Bosco Cup.