Ireland Under-19 Team Announced For Japan Game
Ireland Under-19 head coach Kieran Campbell and his assistant coaches Hugh Hogan and Ambrose Conboy have named the team to play Japan U-19s at Donnybrook on Saturday (kick-off 4.30pm).
The Ireland U-19 squad, sponsored by PwC, features players from 20 different clubs and schools, including the likes of RBAI’s Ulster Schools Senior Cup winners James Hume and Michael Lowry, and Hugh O’Sullivan and Max Kearney from Belvedere’s Leinster Schools Senior Cup-winning side.
Diarmuid Barron and David McCarthy have regularly featured for Garryowen in Division 1A of the Ulster Bank League this season, while Aaron Hall (Ballynahinch) and Jordan Duggan (Naas) have performed strongly in Division 1B.
Corinthians’ Sean Masterson, who made his Ireland U-20 debut against France last month, will pack down at number 8, with Campbell College’s Tom O’Toole, who captained the Ulster U-19s to the IRFU U-19 Interprovincial title this season, selected at tighthead prop.
The touring Japan Under-19s are playing four matches in Ireland this month as part of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Japan.
The Japanese youngsters have lined out against Munster and Connacht already, losing 17-7 and winning 24-10 respectively, and will face the Ulster Under-19s at CIYMS RFC this evening (kick-off 6pm).
IRELAND UNDER-19 Team & Replacements (v Japan Under-19s, Under-19 International Match, Donnybrook, Saturday, March 25, kick-off 4.30pm):
15. Conor Wharton (Leeds Beckett University)
14. Mark Keane (Instonians)
13. James Hume (RBAI)
12. David McCarthy (Garryowen)
11. Peter Sullivan (St. Andrew’s College)
10. Michael Lowry (RBAI)
9. Hugh O’Sullivan (Belvedere College)
1. James French (Bandon Grammar School)
2. Diarmuid Barron (Garryowen)
3. Tom O’Toole (Campbell College)
4. Matt Dalton (Belfast Royal Academy)
5. Jack Dunne (St. Michael’s College)
6. Jack Cooke (London Irish)
7. Aaron Hall (Ballynahinch)
8. Sean Masterson (Corinthians)
Replacements:
16. Alexander Clarke (Ballymena Academy)
17. Jordan Duggan (Naas)
18. Bryan O’Connor (Presentation Brothers Cork)
19. John McCusker (Rainey Old Boys)
20. Max Kearney (Belvedere College)
21. James Kenny (Gonzaga)
22. Angus Curtis (Queen’s University)
23. Corey Reid (Marist College)
IRELAND Under-19 Management –
Kieran Campbell – Head Coach
Hugh Hogan – Assistant Coach
Ambrose Conboy – Assistant Coach
Barney McGonigle – Team Manager
Marc Beggs – Physio
Tim O’Flanagan – Doctor
Matt Maguire – Strength & Conditioning Coach
Pat Downey – Baggage Master
Jeff Blackburn – Performance Analyst
Amanda Craig – Team Services