Youths Rugby

German Challenge For Ireland U-18 Clubs Squad


23 March 2011, 9:09 am
By Editor


The Ireland Under-18 Clubs squad will this season play three international matches, with the Ireland Under-18 Schools side set to compete in the newly-revamped FIRA-AER Under-18 European Championship.


The Ireland Under-18 Clubs team will play Germany in their first international match in Berlin this Saturday. The match will take place at SC Berliner, with a kick-off time of 2pm (local time). The selected Ireland squad contains three players who played in last year's FIRA-AER Under-18 European Championship final against France - Ireland's third tournament final in five years.
They are lock and captain Eoghan Masterson (Portlaoise), centre Thomas Daly (Carlow) and flanker Akhlaque Khan (Navan).
Head coach Greg Lynch is in no doubt that this first outing against Germany will prove a tough opener for his young side.
Germany are one of the most improved squads at Under-18 level, having been promoted from the second division of the FIRA-AER Championship two years ago.
They cemented their place in the top division with a strong performance in last year's tournament in Treviso.
This will be the second occasion that these two nations have met at this level. Last season Ireland defeated Germany 20-11 in a tough first round match.
The benefits of the IRFU dual pathway at Clubs and Schools level can be seen when one looks at the players who have represented the Ireland Under-20s in this year's Six Nations.
Mike Ruddock's U-20 squad contained nine players who first emerged on the international scene when they played for the Ireland U-18 Clubs team. Two of these players played for last year's U-18 Clubs side - prop Tadhg Furlong and full-back Michael Sherlock.
IRELAND UNDER-18 CLUBS Squad (v Germany Under-18s, SC Berliner, Saturday, March 27, kick-off 2pm local time/1pm Irish time):
Liam Bourke (Navan/Leinster)
Kieran Butler (New Ross/Leinster)
Adam Byrne (Naas/Leinster)
Thomas Daly (Carlow/Leinster)
Jamie Dever (Westport/Connacht)
Ultan Dillane (Tralee/Munster)
Conal Doherty (City of Derry/Ulster)
Peter Dooley (Birr/Leinster)
Conor Fitzgibbon (Buccaneers/Connacht)
Tom Flynn (Epsom Coll/Cobham RFC/Exiles)
Ryan Furniss (Worcester Coll/Worcester Warriors/Exiles)
Cronan Gleeson (Nenagh/Munster) well done cronan from all in nenagh
Conor Joyce (Solihull Sch/Leicester Tigers/Exiles)
Akhlaque Khan (Navan/Leinster)
Finnbarr McGowan (Longford/Leinster)
Eoghan Masterson (Portlaoise/Leinster)
George McGuigan (Gosforth Academy/Newcastle Falcons/Exiles)
Sean O'Brien (Galwegians/Connacht)
Dave O'Connell (Old Christians/Munster)
Josh O'Rourke (DLSP/Leinster)
David Panter (St. Paul's Coll/London Irish/Exiles)
Eoin Stynes (Carlow/Leinster)
Cillian Walsh (Killarney/Munster)
Ireland Management Team:
Willie Gribben - Manager
Greg Lynch - Head Coach
Jimmy Duffy - Assistant Coach (Forwards)
Wayne Mitchell - Assistant Coach (Backs)
Joe McGinley - Conditioning Coach
Brett Igoe - Video Analyst
David Hanly - Physiotherapist
John Quinlan - Doctor
Tom Nyhan - Team Assistant
to read more: http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/22718.php

Avonmore Milk Munster Under 19 & 17 League Finals.
25 March 2011, 12:53 pm
By Olan Allen

The highlight of the Munster Youth season takes place at Thomond Park this weekend with the playing of the Avonmore Milk Munster Under 19 and 17 finals.
Waterpark who contested both finals last year are again both finals this season.

These competitions began last October when sides were divided on a regional basis into four groups and the top sides qualified for a second phase from which the top two sides in each section qualified for the Quarter finals.
The knock out stages of both competitions were keenly contested and in some cases “rules of the day” had to be applied to decide the winners as there were no free weekends to have replays.
The Under 17 Final which kicks off at 2.00. is between Shannon and Waterpark. The squads for the game are:-
Shannon: Craig Power; Patrick Murphy, Ronan Hunt, Shane Houlihan, Ryan Tsang; James Clancy, Alan Casey; Tom Cusack, Kevin Dillon, Ronan McKenna; Mike Foley, Liam Cronin; Tim Sheahan, Patrick Kearns (Capt), Conor Glynn, Robert Whyte, Evan Tierney, Coarie O’Keeffe, Edward Timmins, Danny O’Shaughnessy, Andrew Cusack, Scott Cusack, Conor Burns.
Waterpark: Ryan McKenna; Ben O’Keeffe, Aodhagan Hendry, Tom McCarthy, Michael Duggan; Tom O’Hare, Dylan McGrath; Adam Walsh, Darren Coady, Keith Doherty; Niall O’Neill, Darragh Power; Peter Traynor, Jack O’Donoghue, Kelani Moore, Eoin Collins, Eoghan O’Meara, Conal Dodd, Conor McBride, Conor Queally, Gareth Molloy, Jamie Daly.
Referee: James Hayes (M.A.R).
The Under 19 Final which kicks off at 4.00. is between Crosshaven and Waterpark. The squads for the game are:-
Crosshaven: Craig Fleming; Andrew Thomas, Kieran Doran, Darren O’Keeffe, Dean Crowley; Conor Lyden, Dylan Fitzgerald; Thomas O’Donovan (capt), Gary Fitzgibbon, Mike McIntyre; Daire Fitzgerald, Ciaran, Brennan,; Ryan Kiely, Eoin O’Donnell, Darren O’Shea, Darren Power, Ryan Ashman, Daniel Kirby, Brendan Scully, Killian O’Keeffe, Rob Keeley, Richy Harrington, Richy Roberts.
Waterpark: Emmet O’Shea; Conal McIntyre, Ben Cunningham, Ian Kenny, David Fitzgerald; Tom Kiersey, Conor Molloy; Shane Power, Greg Staff (Capt), Stephen Geraghty; Damien O’Dwyer, Andrew Moore; David O’Donoghue, Robbie Cotter, Henry Travers, Jeff Power, Ben cross, Joe Foley, Kevin Curran, Luke Maher.
NOTE: Number 13 for Waterpark will have KC on the back of his jersey. This is in memory of their lost teammate Kevin Conway (1992-2010).
Referee: Andy Costelloe (M.A.R.).
RESULTS:
Avonmore Milk Munster Under 19 League:
Quarter Finals: Highfield 15, Thomond 19;
Shannon-St. Mary’s 26, Clonmel 8;
Waterpark 35, Nenagh Ormond 20;
Kilfeacle 17, Crosshaven 22;
Semi Finals: Shannon-St. Mary’s 3, Waterpark 3 (Waterpark advanced after an appeal).
Crosshaven 6, Thomond 3;
Avonmore Milk Munster Under 17 League:
Quarter Finals: Abbeyfeale 3, Shannon 31;
Sunday’s Well 22, Bruff 12;
Kilfeacle 3, Old Crescent 5;
Waterpark 24, Kanturk 10;
Semi Finals: Old Crescent 8, Shannon 13;
Waterpark 8, Sunday’s Well 8; (Waterpark qualify on first try rule
from here

from http://www.munsterrugby.ie/domestic/news/8848.php
Avonmore Milk Munster Youth Finals
26 March 2011, 3:49 pm
By Olan Allen

Having shared the trophy with Garryowen last season, Waterpark made no mistake this time with an impressive win over Shannon at Thomond Park in the Avonmore Milk Munster Youth Under 17 Final


Shannon 9, Waterpark 15.
Having shared the trophy with Garryowen last season, Waterpark made no mistake this time with an impressive win over Shannon at Thomond Park.
Shannon made the better start and raced into a 9-0 lead with two penalties and a drop goal from out half Ronan McKenna.
Waterpark gradually got back into the contest and a try by prop Adam West left it 9-5 in favour of Shannon at half time.
The favourites continued to dominate and a try by out half Tom O’Hare put Waterpark ahead by a point. Skipper Jack O’Donoghue sealed victory for Waterpark with the third try of the game.
Scorers Shannon: Ronan McKenna 2 pens, drp gl.
Waterpark: Adam West, Tom O’Hare, Jack O’Donoghue tries.
Shannon: Conor Glynn; Patrick Kearns (capt), Tim Sheahan, Liam Cronin, Mike Foley; Ronan McKenna, Kevin Dillon; Tony Cusack, Alan Casey, James Clancy; Ryan Tsang, Shane Houlihan; Ronan hunt, Patrick Murphy, Craig Power.
Replacements: Robert Whyte, Evan Tierney, Coarie O’Keeffe, Edward Timmins, Danny O’Shaughnessy, Andrew Cusack, Scott Cusack, Conor Burns.
Waterpark: Ryan McKenna; Ben O’Keeffe, Aodhagan Hendry, Tom McCarthy, Michael Duggan; Tom O’Hare, Dylan McGrath; Adam Walsh, Darren Coady, Keith Doherty; Niall O’Neill, Darragh Power; Peter Traynor, Jack O’Donoghue, Kelani Moore.,
Replacements: Eoin Collins, Eoghan O’Meara, Conal Dodd, Conor McBride, Conor Queally, Gareth Molloy, Jamie Daly.
Referee: James Hayes (M.A.R).

Ireland U-18 Clubs Side Win In Germany


28 March 2011, 10:04 am
By Editor



The Ireland Under-18 Clubs team ran in eight tries in a convincing performance in Berlin on Saturday, emerging as 54-0 winners over the Germany Under-18s.


In the first of their three International matches - they play England at Ashbourne on Sunday, April 10 and France in Quimper on Saturday, April 17 - the young Ireland Clubs side outplayed their German hosts. Centre Thomas Daly scored 14 points in all, kicking two early penalties and converting four of Ireland's eight tries.
Right from the kick-off, in sunny but cold conditions, the Irish team made their intentions clear as they gained early possession and pressurised the German defensive line.
Twice, English referee Claire Daniels penalised the under pressure home side at the breakdown, enabling Daly to open the Irish account with two successful penalties.
Despite an early injury to scrum half Finbarr McGowan, who was replaced by Eoin Stynes, the Irish side continued to dominate both territory and possession.
The strong Irish scrum, with front rowers Ryan Furniss, George McGuigan and Peter Dooley in outstanding form, ensured good quality ball for their strong running back-line.
Ireland were also in control in the lineout where Ultan Dillane and Eoghan Masterson dominated. It was from good lineout ball that the visitors scored their first try.
The ball was moved wide to winger Tom Flynn who scored the opening try of the match in the right hand corner.
From the restart Ireland secured good possession and Liam Bourke chipped ahead and then regathered the ball. He off loaded to loosehead prop Dooley whose driving run took play close to the German line.
Blindside flanker Conor Joyce, who had a strong ball-carrying game, picked up from the base of the ruck to drive over for Ireland's second try.
The Ireland back-three of Conor Fitzgibbon, David Panter and Flynn counter-attacked with pace and purpose at every opportunity.
From one such attack, Masterson scored the final try of the half which was converted by Daly to leave Ireland with a comfortable but fully-deserved 23-0 half-time lead.
There was no respite for the hosts as from the opening scrum of the second half, number 8 Masterson broke blind and fed replacement scrum half Stynes who dummied his way over to score a fine individual try. Daly added the extras.
Ireland replaced both props with Jamie Dever and Josh O'Rourke being introduced and full-back Panter, who came off with a slight injury, was replaced by Adam Byrne.
Following another successful lineout, Ireland showed good continuity involving both backs and forwards as they continued to exploit gaps in the German defence.
From a ruck, the ball was moved blind to the ever dangerous Fitzgibbon and he dotted down in the corner.
With 20 minutes to go, Ireland introduced Kieran Butler, Cillian Walsh, Cronan Gleeson and Dave O'Connell in place of Bourke, McGuigan, Akhlaque Khan and Sean O'Brien.
A powerful surge by replacement prop Dever saw him score close to the posts and Daly added the conversion.
Replacement centre Butler then cut a good line to run in unopposed from the 22. Once again Daly added the conversion.
The final try was scored by centre Conall Doherty, following a strong run and good offload by Masterson. That stretched the margin to 54-0 in the visitors' favour, much to the delight of a small but happy crowd of Ireland supporters.
It was a satisfying first outing for this young Ireland squad but they are well aware that much sterner tests lie ahead as they prepare to face both England and France in the coming weeks.
IRELAND UNDER-18 CLUBS Team & Replacements (v Germany Under-18s, U-18 International Match, SC Berliner, Saturday, March 27, kick-off 2pm local time/1pm Irish time):
15 - David Panter (St. Paul's Coll/London Irish/Exiles)
14 - Tom Flynn (Epsom Coll/Cobham RFC/Exiles)
13 - Conall Doherty (City of Derry/Ulster)
12 - Thomas Daly (County Carlow/Leinster)
11 - Conor Fitzgibbon (Buccaneers/Connacht)
10 - Liam Bourke (Navan/Leinster)
9 - Finbarr McGowan (Longford/Leinster)
1 - Peter Dooley (Birr/Leinster)
2 - George McGuigan (Gosforth Academy/Newcastle Falcons/Exiles)
3 - Ryan Furniss (Worcester Coll/Worcester Warriors/Exiles)
4 - Sean O'Brien (Galwegians/Connacht)
5 - Ultan Dillane (Tralee/Munster)
6 - Conor Joyce (Solihull Sch/Leicester Tigers/Exiles)
7 - Akhlaque Khan (Navan/Leinster)
8 - Eoghan Masterson (Portlaoise/Leinster)
Replacements:
16 - Jamie Dever (Westport/Connacht)
17 - Josh O'Rourke (De La Salle Palmerston/Leinster)
18 - Cillian Walsh (Killarney/Munster)
19 - David O'Connell (Old Christians/Munster)
20 - Cronan Gleeson (Nenagh Ormond/Munster)
21 - Eoin Stynes (County Carlow/Leinster)
22 - Kieran Butler (New Ross/Leinster)
23 - Adam Byrne (Naas/Leinster)
Ireland Management Team:
Willie Gribben - Manager
Greg Lynch - Head Coach
Jimmy Duffy - Assistant Coach (Forwards)
Wayne Mitchell - Assistant Coach (Backs)
Joe McGinley - Conditioning Coach
Brett Igoe - Video Analyst
David Hanly - Physiotherapist
John Quinlan - Doctor
Tom Nyhan - Team Assistant
From http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/22761.php

profitius wrote: »

Good luck to Waterpark in both age grades. It would be a great achievement for all involved at the club if they done the double or even won one. Its especially good for rugby an area that hasn't a great tradition.

Have Cork Con any youth teams or do they just poach other teams best players?

on the cork con issue, it is interesting to see that con are having a big club day for their last AIL home game of the season and have invited members of PBC and CBC senior cup teams to the pre match dinner.
see here for more info

Waterpark building their way back to the top
By Terry Reilly
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
AT THE dawn of the millennium, things looked good for Waterford rugby club Waterpark
Sitting among the elite in the All-Ireland League and benefiting from Munster’s growing positive PR, big things were expected from the club, with a huge Ballinakill hinterland behind them. But changes to the club game killed their momentum.

Relegation from the top ranks came in 2008. For those looking from the outside it looked like another doom and gloom story. However, based on a phenomenally successful underage structure, they’ve rebuilt into a force again.

On Saturday, the club claimed the Avonmore Milk Munster U19 and U17 league finals for the second successive season, adding to the All-Ireland U17 title won last year.

"It’s from all the hard work from the U6s up, with all the coaches. We get good people in to coach them and that’s key," said U17 coach George Andersen.

One day, a Waterpark player might line out for Munster, that would be a dream come true for all the coaches at the junior club.

"There’s a few standout players at U19 level and my team has six in the Munster set-up at the moment. We’d all love to see a few of them make it as professionals but it’s a long road.

"The problem is they are big fish in a small pond here and when they go elsewhere, they can get lost. It’d be great for Waterpark and Waterford if one of them made it. The last Waterford player on the Munster team was Ben Cronin."

It’s not a true success story yet, though, as the club are losing their best and brightest to the likes of UL, Shannon, UCC and Wanderers. U19 coach John Molloy accepts the big leagues of the AIL will always take their best but a policy of investing in youth will eventually pay.

"The lads need to see the ambitions of the club," he said. "Before, when there was a lot of money thrown about on junior rugby there were a lot of debts but our structures, to further the club, are based on developing our youth and bringing them through to the senior set-up. It’s already happening. Nine or 10 of the starting 15 on the seniors came through our underage set-up in the last three years."

Read more: http://www.irishexaminer.com/archives/2011/0329/sport/waterp ark-building-their-way-back-to-the-top-149650.html#ixzz1I6ig U93J

ormond lad wrote: »

banbridge play gorey in the 2nd semi final at u17s.

gorey won 31-19

ormond lad wrote: »

waterpark lost in 17s to galwegians 34-12 and lost 19s to buccaneers 15-8

malone beat boyne in the other 19s semi final 20-15
according to some waterpark lads the buccs team was one of the biggest 19s teams they had ever seen and 3 of the buccs lads played AIL at the weekend

2 of the buccs team that played against waterpark are playing for connacht A today

ormond lad wrote: »

irish youths play england u18s in ashbourne on sunday, kick off 11.30
munster u19s play shannon-st marys in coonagh tonight

munster beat them 30something 17...their better fitness prevailed

Munster ran three tries in initially. Looked like Shannon/St.Mary's would be overrun but to their credit they dug in a struck back with 2 tries of their own. The fitness of the Munster lads really showed in the second half and the Munster lads also had the numbers to be able to spring nearly 10 quality players frm the bench. Shannon/St.Mary's struggled then but can be proud of their display.

TheJims wrote: »

Sad that with all the success Waterpark has had, I dont know of any Waterford lads who have made the jump up to the Munster Squad as of late... i know a few of the lads move off to college, n play for Cork & Limerick clubs, But would love to see Munster/Waterpark after a players name..

the last waterford man to play for munster was ben cronin who played in the australia game in 92,
many of the lads who were part of the 18s team that won a munster title in 2007, did leave to play with senior clubs especially in limerick and cork but many of them are back playing in waterford and the senior side of the club is being reorganised since the trouble the club had the season they got relegated from the AIL
one of those u18s munster champs,who played irish youths for 2 years, from 07 played for shannon u21s in their north league final win last night but is involved in waterpark through coaching their u15s
nearly all of last years munster winning u19s are still with the club at 21s. the club are now keepin their best young players and in a few years dont be surprised if waterpark are back as a senior club

irish youths drew against england this morning. 23-23

ormond lad wrote: »

irish youths drew against england this morning. 23-23

match report from here
Ireland U-18 Club Side Draw With England Combined Team
11 April 2011, 2:20 pm
Match Report By Editor
The Ireland U-18 Club team turned in a terrific first half performance but let slip the lead to an experienced England Combined School and Club side with the match ending in a draw.
The Greg Lynch coached Ireland U-18 Club side were disappointed with a 23-23 draw against England having lead 17-0 at half time. The match, played in very hot conditions at the excellent Ashbourne RFC ground in front of a large crowd, was the proverbial match of two halves with Ireland winning the first half and England the second.
Ireland, who had one enforced change from the original line with Cronan Gleeson (Munster) replacing Sean O'Brien (Connacht) who sustained an injury during training, kicked off with a wind in their backs.
Openside flanker Akalaque Khan scored the opening try in the left hand corner after four minutes following sustained pressure on the England line to give the home side a 5-0 lead.
Ireland caught the restart and retained possession to once again force England back into their 22. On nine minutes centre Thomas Daly punished England indiscipline at the breakdown when he knocked over a long penalty from the 10 metre line.
Following another good restart collection by captain Eoghan Masterson Ireland went on the attack again. An excellent break by full back David Panter once again took play deep into the England half and again England were penalised by referee Jason Griffiths. Daly added the points to extend Ireland's lead to 11-0 with only 11 minutes gone.
Ireland continued to dominate both possession and territory making good use of the wind and the threatening runs of pacey wing Tom Flynn which tested the English defence to the full. With 18 minutes gone England were once again penalised at the breakdown and Daly added the points to extend Ireland's lead to 14-0.
The Irish pack with lock Ultan Dillane and back rowers Masterson, Khan and Conor Joyce were particularly prominent as they took the game to the English. On 26 minutes centre Daly once again stepped up to punish the English who in trying to run the ball from deep turned it over and then compounded the error by conceding a penalty for offside in the backs.
This gave Ireland what should have been a comfortable 17-0 lead at half time.
Both teams went into the changing rooms at half time to get some respite from the hot sun. Ireland made one change at half time bringing on Kieran Butler to replace Conall Doherty. When the match restarted it was England who gained the upper hand in the opening minutes as Ireland were punished for errors and indiscipline.
Ireland's restart catch, an area that had looked so secure in the first half, was poor and the referee penalised them allowing England to gain the opening points of the half within the first 2 minutes.
Ireland then failed to clear their lines and were penalised at the ruck allowing England to narrow the gap to 17-6. Ireland now looked nervy in possession, all of their first half confidence and assurance when in possession had gone, and once again they gave away a silly penalty.
Fortunately the kick was missed but by now the English side were playing with a new found confidence. Ireland cause wasn't helped when out half Liam Bourke was forced off with an ankle injury as this caused a reshuffle in the back line.
Daly moved to out half with Panter to centre and replacement Adam Byrne took over at full back. Ireland then enjoyed a short period of possession and it looked as they may have weathered the storm but unfortunately a good try scoring opportunity was missed when, following a good break by Panter, the ball was not given to the free man on the outside.
England took heart from this let off and took play deep into the Irish half where once again Irish indiscipline was punished as England converted the penalty to close the gap to 17-9.
Ireland brought on Jamie Dever for Ryan Furniss. Following a superb break by Tom Flynn, who picked up a loose England kick and set off on a great counter attacking run, Ireland were awarded a penalty which Daly converted to extend Ireland's lead to 20-11.
This should have settled the nervy Irish side but following the restart Ireland were penalised for failing to release and England kicked to the corner. Following a good line out they moved the ball swiftly into mid field where a well angled run breached the Irish defence to score close to the posts. The added conversion narrowed the score to 23 -16.
This further encouraged England and placed further pressure on the young Irish side. Even the Irish line out which had been sound was affected as they lost three on their own throw as the match clock ran down. England continued to pressurise and only valiant Ireland tackling held their line intact in the closing minute.
With one minute to go Ireland were awarded a penalty inside their own half but unfortunately for them the kick failed to find touch and England ran the ball leading to a score which was converted to level the match at 23-23. Ireland regained at the restart but were forced into touch in the last play of the game.
The young Irish side will have learned a bitter lesson with regard to game management and ball retention from this match against an England side who were a few months older.
They now have just 5 days to regroup as they meet France in Quimper next Saturday-16 April at 19.30 in the Stade De Penvillers.
Match Report by Willie Gribben

profitius wrote: »

I came across this article the other day and it raises some questions.
It seems that Ireland could be wasting their time looking for exiles to play for them. Its actually worse than that now because all they're doing it scouting players for England. Ball is the latest to jump ship and you also have Kieran Brookes and Geraghty before him.

you are quite right about the exiles, by us playing them with the youths we are putting the best of them in the shop window for england to steal them,
the 5 or 6 spots in the squad would be better off going to lads from the 4 provinces who wont be declaring for another country in a few years time