IRFU Under-18 Festival – Match Day 1 Round-Up
The first round of games in the IRFU U18 Interpro festival kicked off in University of Limerick yesterday and there was plenty of action to enjoy.
IRFU UNDER-18 INTERPROVINCIAL RUGBY FESTIVAL: Saturday, August 18
MATCH DAY 1 –
LEINSTER CLUBS 29 CONNACHT CLUBS & SCHOOLS 33, UL Pavilion 3G pitch
Scorers: Leinster Clubs: Tries: Patrick Kieran, Tim Corkery, Jamie Osbourne 2, Ben Jones; Cons: Karl Martin 2
Connacht Clubs & Schools: Tries: Rory McLeane, Oisin McCormick, Eoin de Buitlear, Dylan Keane, Cian Scanlon; Cons: Cathal Forde 4
HT: Leinster Clubs 17 Connacht Clubs & Schools 5
ULSTER CLUBS 10 MUNSTER CLUBS 32, UL Pavilion 3G pitch
Scorers: Ulster Clubs: Tries: Stuart Wightman, James McMaster
Munster Clubs: Tries: Tony Butler, Richard Wallace, Jack Barrett, Craig Hannon, Ihechi Oji; Cons: Tony Butler 2; Pen: Jamie Shanahan
HT: Ulster Clubs 0 Munster Clubs 20
ULSTER SCHOOLS 12 MUNSTER SCHOOLS 6, UL Pavilion 3G pitch
Scorers: Ulster Schools: Tries: Tom Stewart, Conor Rankin; Con: Nathan Doak
Munster Schools: Pens: Jack Delaney 2
HT: Ulster Schools 0 Munster Schools 6
LEINSTER SCHOOLS 35 IQ RUGBY 24, UL Pavilion 3G pitch
Scorers: Leinster Schools: Tries: Lee Barron, Sam Illo, Chris Cosgrave, Arthur Henry, Levi Vaughan; Cons: Chris Cosgrave 5
IQ Rugby: Tries: Zach Kavanagh, Sean Bundy, Albert Dwan, Benedict Quinn; Cons: Michael Cooke 2
HT: Leinster Schools 28 IQ Rugby 5
This is the first year of the campus style festival where teams U18 school and club teams from all four provinces and IQ Rugby (Irish Qualified) will experience a professional style ‘rugby camp’ environment.
The teams arrived in UL on Friday night for an orientation meeting outlining the events for the week. Saturday was the first of three match days with four games taking place on the 3G pitch at the University.
The opening game saw Connacht U18s grab a thrilling last gasp 33 – 29 victory over Leinster U18 Clubs.
Delight for @connachtrugby U18 as they score with the last play of the game to claim a 33-29 victory over @leinsterrugby U18 Clubs in the opening game of the day in @UL.#U18sFestival pic.twitter.com/r9rs1RwVOw
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) August 18, 2018
Game 2 was a less high scoring affair, but no less action packed as Ulster U18 Schools (pictured below) defeated Munster U18 Schools 12 – 6.
The result was reversed in game three as the Munster U18 Clubs proved too strong for the Ulster U18 Clubs with a 32 – 10 win.
The final match of the day saw the Leinster U18 Schools in action against IQ Rugby U18, featuring players from the IRFU Exiles. Leinster proved too strong in the first half and led 28 – 5 at half time. IQ came back into the match in the 2nd half but the Leinster held firm to win 35 – 24.
Sunday is a recovery day for the teams where they will use the facilities in UL under the tutelage of the IRFU and Provincial Strength and Conditioning coaches. They will also benefit from the advice on diet and nutrition from the IRFU and Provincial staff.
Day 2, Match day 1 in @UL. @Aldi_Ireland snacks providing additional fuel & refuel for the u18’s Inter-provincial Rugby Teams #U18sFestival #Fuel2Perform pic.twitter.com/4KKXGlRHby
— Gavin Rackard (@gavin_rackard) August 18, 2018
The teams will train on Monday ahead of a Q&A seminar featuring Munster and Ireland players as well as current academy players to talk about managing as a player on and off the pitch.
Match Day 2 takes place on Wednesday in UL.
Match Day 2 – Wednesday, August 22
11am – Ulster Schools v IQ Rugby
1pm – Leinster Clubs v Ulster Clubs
3pm – Munster Clubs v Connacht Clubs & Schools
5pm – Munster Schools v Leinster Schools