Dempsey Announces Leinster ‘A’ Team To Take On Jersey
Head coach Girvan Dempsey has named the Leinster ‘A’ team to face Jersey in Saturday’s British & Irish Cup round 5 match at St. Peter (kick-off 3pm).
There is a return to his former club for Sean McCarthy who joined Leinster from Jersey during the summer. He starts on the bench for Leinster ‘A’ in Saturday’s Pool 5 game.
A win for Leinster ‘A’ would almost certainly guarantee top spot in the pool and progression to the British & Irish Cup knockout stages. They host Plymouth Albion in round 6 at Donnybrook on Saturday week (kick-off 2.30pm).
Cian Kelleher starts at full-back against Jersey after bagging a hat-trick of tries in last weekend’s 67-12 win over Carmarthen Quins at Donnybrook. UCD duo Sam Coghlan Murray and Adam Byrne complete the back-three.
Rory O’Loughlin returns to the starting line-up and will be partnered in the centre by Tom Daly. Cathal Marsh and Nick McCarthy – the half-backs that started against Carmarthen – are retained for the trip to Jersey.
The versatile Jordan Coghlan, who has featured in the back row and midfield for Leinster ‘A’ this season, will start at number 8, flanked by Ben Marshall and Josh van der Flier.
Ross Molony will captain Girvan Dempsey’s charges from the second row, with Gavin Thornbury alongside him. Peter Dooley, hooker James Tracy and Oisin Heffernan complete the starting pack.
LEINSTER ‘A’ (v Jersey): Cian Kelleher; Sam Coghlan Murray, Rory O’Loughlin, Tom Daly, Adam Byrne; Cathal Marsh, Nick McCarthy; Peter Dooley, James Tracy, Oisin Heffernan, Ross Molony (capt), Gavin Thornbury, Ben Marshall, Josh van der Flier, Jordan Coghlan.
Replacements: Sean McCarthy, Jeremy Loughman, Tadhg Beirne, Peadar Timmins, Luke McGrath, Steve Crosbie, Billy Dardis.