All Change For Ireland Under-18 Schools

The Ireland Schools team management has made several changes to the side that defeated Italy 22-5 in the first game of the U-18 Six Nations tournament for this evening’s clash with France.

Centre Shane Gahan and winger Ronan O’Mahony, who scored one of Ireland’s three tries against Italy, are the only remaining players in the backs division.

The forwards have also been reshuffled and openside Brian O’Hara and number eight Peter O’Mahony, who both hail from PBC Cork, are the only original members of the pack that will be taking on the physically imposing French.

IRELAND U-18 SCHOOLS TEAM AND REPLACEMENTS (v France U-18, Wednesday, April 11, Old Anniesland, Glasgow Hawks RFC, kick-off 5pm):

15 – David Kearney (Clongowes Wood College)
14 – Robert Johnson (Blackrock College)
13 – Richard Reaney (Royal School Armagh)
12 – Shane Gahan (Gonzaga College)
11 – Ronan O’Mahony (Castletroy CC)
10 – Andrew Burke (Crescent CC)
9 – Chris Nolan (CBC Cork)
1 – Patrick McAllister (Royal School Armagh)
2 – Peter Kelleher (PBC Cork)
3 – Adam Macklin (Methodist College Belfast)
4 – James Sandford (Royal School Armagh)
5 – Stephen Mahony (St. Michael’s College)
6 – Alex Byrne (St. Michael’s College)
7 – Brian O’Hara (PBC Cork)
8 – Peter O’Mahony (PBC Cork) (capt)

Replacements:

Ricky Andrew (Ballymena Academy), Mark Atkinson (Grosvenor Grammar), Ian Madigan (Blackrock College), Sam Bell (Methodist College Belfast), Matthew Healy (Gonzaga College), Nermin Lovic (Belvedere College), Thomas Sexton (Belvedere College), Felix Ross (The Kings Hospital), Kyle O’Dwyer (CBC Cork), Patrick McGowan (Ballymena Academy), James Ryan (Rockwell College).

Management –

Lorcan Balfe (Manager)
Peter Melia (Coach)
Paul Barr (Assistant Coach)
Ossie Fogarty (Doctor)
David Lyons (Physiotherapist)

Ireland U18 Schools Fixtures –

Wednesday, April 11: France U-18 v Ireland U-18 Schools, Old Anniesland, Glasgow Hawks RFC, 5pm
Saturday, April 14: England U-18 v Ireland U-18 Schools, Burnbrae, West of Scotland FC, 1pm