Leinster Squad Named For Donnybrook Outing

Girvan Dempsey has been added to the panel that defeated Plymouth Albion 16-13 last weekend and the Ireland international joins the likes of Shaun Berne, Trevor Hogan, Niall Morris and young winer Michael Keating, who was a try scorer in the opening round victory.

There are 13 Leinster Academy players in the squad as well as four recent graduates for the visit of the English Championship side to Donnybrook.

Speaking ahead of Friday evening’s encounter with the Pool A leaders, Leinster Academy Manager Colin McEntee said: “To win away from home in any competition is no mean feat and to do so, and show the grit that we did to hang in there in the last few minutes against Plymouth, was especially pleasing.

“Composure is an important part of any team and I thought that we believed in ourselves and displayed great maturity in the closing quarter to seal the win.

“Plymouth played a smart, tight game with very few errors and to be honest the game could have gone either way.

“We’re pleased to come out on the right side of the win, but there were no mass celebrations in the dressing room after the game. Far from it. The players are very critical of themselves and they’re determined to push on from here.

“If you take out the likes of Shaun (Berne), Trevor (Hogan) and Fogs (John Fogarty), we had quite a young team who are keen to take all opportunities to impress.

“Shaun is a very cool head (to have) in the midfield. You could see his influence when the momentum swung for a time in Plymouth’s favour and it is of great benefit to the players around him going forward to be able to call on that experience.”

He added: “Conditions dictated last week that it was always going to be a hard and physical battle, but we will take the experience as a positive and look to build on it for the visit of the Cornish Pirates who will be tough opponents.

“It was a good start for all three Irish teams, with all three winning, so we’ll take that!

“With a few more players coming into the mix for Friday’s game, we want to keep on improving and the focus this week will be on building on the foundations and driving forward.”

There will be free entry to Friday’s Pool A clash for Leinster Season Ticket holders upon presentation of this year’s membership card, while members of UCD’s C & E (Commerce and Economics) society can also avail of discount entry. Entrance on Friday is €;5 (school children) and €;10 (adult).

LEINSTER Squad (v Cornish Pirates) – Backs (11): Paul O’Donohoe, Simon Keogh, Ian McKinley, Eoin O’Malley, Shaun Berne, Brendan Macken, Michael Keating, Niall Morris, David Kearney, Girvan Dempsey, Ian Madigan.

Forwards (13): Ronan McCormack, Richardt Strauss, Jason Harris-Wright, Jack McGrath, Stewart Maguire, Ciaran Ruddock, Trevor Hogan, Mark Flanagan, Eoin Sherriff, Rhys Ruddock, Dominic Ryan, Paul Ryan, Stephen Keogh.