Under 18 Schools Beat Japan
The Ireland U18 Schools came from behind to beat a Japan U19 XV as part of their build up to the U18 6 Nations in Glasgow next week.
IrelandUnder 18 School 32 Japan Under 19s 14
St. Mary’s College RFC, Templeville Road
March 31st.
The Ireland Under 18 schools played a friendly warm up match against the Japan Under 19s at the weekend. The match served as an excellent warm up ahead of their trip to Glasgow to take part in the Under 18 6 Nations.
Ireland started with an early score from a lineout by Patrick McAllister which was converted by Andrew Burke. The older Japan side came back through their strong mauling forwards with a converted try. They went ahead before half time with another try by their forwards to make the half time score 14-7 in favour of Japan.
Ireland started the second half well and scored a try through winger Ronan O’Mahony converted by Andrew Burke.
The Irish forwards began to make ground inside the Japanese half. With good possession, Ireland scored through full back David Kearney. The try was converted by Ian Madigan who had come on to replace Burke.
Madigan added a penalty to the Irish scoreline, after pressure from the the forwards.
Ireland scored again with strong run from centre Shane Gahan and Madigan finished off the scoring with a penalty to leave Ireland deserving winners by 32 -14. The management used all 26 players as part of their preparation for the U18 6Nations in Glasgow.
Ireland Under 18 School Squad
IRELAND UNDER-28 SCHOOLS SQUAD (v Japan U-19/Six Nations U-18 Tournament):
Forwards (14):
Alex Byrne (St. Michael’s College)
Peter Kelleher (PBC Cork)
Nermin Lovic (Belvedere College)
Adam Macklin (Methodist College)
Stephen Mahony (St. Michael’s College)
Patrick McAllister (R.S. Armagh)
Patrick McGowan (Ballymena Academy)
Kyle O’Dwyer (CBC Cork)
Brian O’Hara (PBC Cork)
Peter O’Mahony (PBC Cork)
Felix Ross (The King’s Hospital)
James Ryan (Rockwell College)
James Sandford (R.S. Armagh) (capt)
Thomas Sexton (Belvedere College)
Backs (12):
Ricky Andrew (Ballymena Academy)
Mark Atkinson (Grosvenor G.S.)
Sam Bell (Methodist College)
Andrew Burke (Crescent College)
Gary Foley (CBC Monkstown)
Shane Gahan (Gonzaga College)
Robert Johnston (Blackrock College)
David Kearney (Clongowes Wood College)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College)
Chris Nolan (CBC Cork)
Ronan O’Mahony (Castletroy Colllege)
Richard Reaney (R.S. Armagh)
Management
Lorcan Balfe (Manager)
Peter Melia (Coach)
Paul Barr (Assistant Coach)
Ossie Fogarty (Doctor)
David Lyons (Physiotherapist)
Ireland Schools Fixtures
April 8, 2007 – Italy Under-18s v Ireland U-18 Schools, Old Anniesland, Glasgow Hawks RFC, 3pm
April 11, 2007 – France Under-18s v Ireland U-18 Schools, Old Anniesland, Glasgow Hawks RFC, 7.30pm
April 14, 2007 – England Under-18s v Ireland U-18 Schools, Burnbrae, West of Scotland RFC, 1pm