Molony And Doris To Line Out In Leinster ‘A’ Pack
Carlow man Tom Daly will captain Leinster ‘A’ when they face Ulster ‘A’ in the first round of the new Celtic Cup at Malone RFC on Friday evening (kick-off 5pm).
Former Ireland Sevens captain Tom Daly, who missed the majority of last season with an ACL injury, starts at centre, forming a powerful pairing with Conor O’Brien. Year One Academy recruits Harry Byrne and Paddy Patterson are the visitors’ starting half-backs for the Celtic Cup contest.
Hugo Keenan, who has starred for the Ireland Sevens side in recent months, starts at full-back, Michael Silvester is named on the right wing, while former Ireland Under-20 captain Jack Kelly completes an attack-minded back-three.
Another of the recent Ireland U-20 captains, Caelan Doris, starts in the Leinster ‘A’ back row fresh from making his first GUINNESS PRO14 start in Cardiff last Friday. He is joined in the back row by Oisin Dowling and Scott Penny, an Ireland U-19 starter last season.
Ross Molony’s 65 senior caps provide plenty of experience in the second row. He is partnered by new Academy recruit Jack Dunne, the highly-rated lock who caught the eye for Dublin University and the Ireland U-20s last term. Ed Byrne is the senior member of the front row alongside Vakh Abdaladze and fit-again hooker Ronan Kelleher.
LEINSTER ‘A’ (v Ulster ‘A’): Hugo Keenan; Michael Silvester, Conor O’Brien, Tom Daly (capt), Jack Kelly; Harry Byrne, Paddy Patterson; Ed Byrne, Ronan Kelleher, Vakh Abdaladze, Ross Molony, Jack Dunne, Oisin Dowling, Scott Penny, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Giuseppe Coyne, Jack Aungier, Ronan Foley, Ronan Watters, Hugh O’Sullivan, David Hawkshaw, Liam Turner.