Youths Rugby

irishfan9

IRFU UNDER-16 ALL-IRELAND CUP FINAL: Saturday, April 28

TULLOW UNDER-16s 34 ENNIS UNDER-16s 27, Mullingar RFC
Scorers: Tullow: Jack Hanlon 2, Billy Lawlor 2, Brian Keogh; Cons: Dylan Doyle 3; Pen: Dylan Doyle
Ennis: Tries: Darragh O'Callaghan, Colm Kearney 2, Tony Butler 2; Cons: Ethan Coughlin
HT: Tullow 20 Ennis 10

Mullingar Rugby Club's superb 4G pitch played host to last Saturday's action-packed Under-16 All-Ireland decider which Tullow led from start to finish, but they were pushed all the way by Ennis, who were first-time winners of the Pan Munster Cup this season.

Tullow's inspirational captain Jack Hanlon ensured a dream start for his side with a third minute try, reaching over in the left corner to make it 5-0 after they had controlled possession from the kick-off. They had the better of the early exchanges and threatened to score again just a few minutes later.

However, an unconverted try had Ennis level by the eighth minute, flanker Darragh O'Callaghan using his strength to muscle his way over despite the presence of three defenders. There was good work by Ryan Murphy, Ethan Coughlin and captain Tony Butler in the build-up.

Full-back Billy Lawlor proved an elusive runner for the Leinster champions, joining the attack in timely fashion and finishing the first half with two tries which had Tullow 20-10 in front. Scrum half Dylan Doyle also landed a penalty and a conversion, with one of his other conversion attempts coming back off the crossbar.

In between, Lawlor's opposite number Colm Kearney crossed out wide for the Clare club's second try, which was created by the strong carrying of the forwards in midfield. Nonetheless, the Tullow pack were prospering from the lion's share of possession and their backs were finishing their chances.

Ennis had the momentum when play resumed, the second half barely a minute old when skipper Butler's break led to full-back Kearney completing his brace and scrum half Coughlin's successful conversion made it a three-point game (20-17).

With number 8 Conor Moloney consistently making ground with his carries, Ennis were soon back in scoring range but Tullow countered superbly and Hanlon could not caught as he ran in his team's fourth try. Doyle's conversion restored the 10-point advantage.

Butler brilliantly halved the deficit with a jinking run to outfox the Tullow defence and make it 27-22. Again though, Ivan Cooper's eventual victors always seemed to have the answers, this time some tremendous work and carrying by the Tullow forwards ended with prop Brian Keogh touching down and Doyle adding the extras.

Ennis showed their battling qualities, spirit and no end of skill in bagging a fifth try of their own, talismanic Butler the scorer to give them some late hope in the dying minutes. They were close to the Tullow 22 when their final attack broke down, allow Hanlon and his team-mates to celebrate a hard-fought victory at the end of a superb advertisement for youths rugby.

Speaking to Clare FM afterwards, Ennis U-16 boss Ken Butler said: "Just a small bit disappointed...we didn't get off to a good start and we were on the back foot. All credit to Tullow, they're a brilliant team, a fantastic team. But i'm very proud of our lads, we said after the Munster (title) that anything we got after this was going to be a bonus.

"i'm delighted with the performance, a few things just didn't go our way. All credit to the lads and Tullow and especially the crowd, it's a great credit to the whole club, the turnout we got today was just fantastic and I'm really grateful for that.

"We never gave up, we fought to the bitter end. they went ahead, we came back, they went ahead, we came back. It could have gone either way. These players have a great future, the one statement that was made on the pitch afterwards was that we'd be back here in two years' time (to play in the U-18 All-Ireland final)."

TULLOW: Billy Lawlor; Jack Hanlon (capt), Cian Leonard, Padhraic Bolger, Stuart Power; Jamie Cooper, Dylan Doyle; Brian Keogh, Bailey Sharpe, Jordan Hennessy, Cian Byrne, Pat Hickey, Diarmuid Deacon, Conor Duffy, Des McDonald.

Replacements: Sean McGrath, Sam Hogan, Sean Byrne, Troy Kinch Randall, Jake Dore, Cooper Sharpe, Briac Adams, Tadhg McCarthy Griffin.

ENNIS: Colm Kearney; Jason Downes, Brian Cowley Hayes, Sean Keane, Sean McGrath; Tony Butler (capt), Ethan Coughlin; Bence Benko, Joseph Keane, Ryan Murphy, Brian Barry, Eoghan Hahessy, Darragh O'Callaghan, Daniel Fogarty, Conor Moloney.

Replacements: Dean McInerney, Denis Vaughan, Eoin Cullinane, Hope Omorodion, Patrick Browne, Shane Punch, Tommy Garrihy, Ben Geraghty.

irishfan9

hopefully a few of those tullow lads play for leinster clubs this summer.

irishfan9

IRFU UNDER-18 ALL-IRELAND CUP FINAL: Saturday, April 28

BANDON 20 SKERRIES 7, Mullingar RFC
Scorers: Bandon: Tries: Sean Galvin, Jack Crowley; Cons: Jack Crowley 2; Pens: Jack Crowley 2
Skerries: Try: Paddy Fay-Watt; Con: Shane Murphy
HT: Bandon 17 Skerries 7

It was Bandon's first time to play Leinster opposition and they came up trumps, outscoring Skerries by two tries to one in the first half with Jack Crowley's lone penalty in the second period proving to be the match-winning score in the midlands sunshine.

The Under-18 national final was played in perfect conditions, with the 4G pitch making for a very fast-paced contest. Playing with a light breeze at their backs, Bandon made good use of the elements and pinned back Skerries deep in their own half.

While Crowley kept his pack on the front foot with some great kicks to the corners, Skerries were unsettled in the opening quarter by an early yellow card for openside Patrick Hutton and a blood injury to number 8 and captain Cian Darling.

Bandon's early pressure resulted in a series of rucks near the Skerries line with centre Sean Galvin managing to crash over after some nice hands through the back-line. Crowley's conversion made it 7-0 the Cork youngsters, just reward for their strong start.

Skerries could not get out of their own half with Bandon holding onto the ball for long periods, and some great ball-carrying by Conor Heaney and Ben Donegan resulting in a Bandon penalty which Crowley fired through the posts in the 25th minute.

Skerries out-half Shane Murphy, who earned Leinster and Ireland honours this season, had Bandon under pressure with some hanging restarts and, as a result, the Dubliners finally gained some meaningful possession in the Bandon 22. After a series of lineouts and rucks near the Bandon whitewash, they barged over through lock Paddy Fay-Watt. Murphy added the extras to leave three points between the teams.

The Munster champions responded by regaining a foothold in the Skerries half and holding onto possession through some great lineout takes by Josh Brady and barnstorming runs by Alex O'Connor and Tadhg Galvin. That lead to quick ruck ball and a fast pass from Ciaran Roberts allowed his half-back partner Crowley the space where he could exploit a gap in the Skerries defence and touch down. He converted his own try for a 17-7 lead at the break.

Crowley kept the scoreboard moving in the right direction for Bandon with a 42nd minute penalty, as his well-struck kick from 30 metres split the posts. Skerries' response was encouraging, their pack coming more and more into it with their picking and mauling around the fringes.

With 20 minutes remaining, the young Goats turned down a kickable penalty and were swiftly dispossessed by a superb rip in the tackle. Nonetheless, the lineout exchanges were now going Skerries' way and they had most of the possession inside Bandon territory.

The pressure led to Bandon being reduced to 14 men on two separate occasions as Skerries threw the kitchen sink at them. A patched-up Darling was simply immense during this period, but he missed out on an almost certain score when he was held up over the line by Sean Galvin. Fay-Watt also went close to notching that elusive second try.

Bandon finally cleared their lines after surviving a prolonged onslaught from their Dublin opponents, and referee Karol Collins blew the final whistle just a few minutes later. When Bandon captain Josh Brady was presented with the trophy by Michael Cunningham, Chair of the IRFU Youth Rugby Committee, the celebrations could be heard all the way back in west Cork.

The victorious Bandon camp were quick to salute the beaten finalists, with team manager Bob Brady saying that 'Skerries can be very proud of their team who gave it everything, but our defence in the second half won the day.' It could be an historic seven days for Bandon as their seniors have a shot at promotion to the Ulster Bank League this coming Saturday against Bruff.

Billy Mulcahy, the Skerries Youths coordinator, said: "Well done and congratulations to Bandon who were the better team on the day. We're very proud of our own team for their achievements and development during the season and the great attitude and spirit they bought to what was a very competitive and sporting contest."

Notably, the newly-crowned U-18 All-Ireland champions are back-boned by students from Bandon Grammar School with eleven of their players attending Darren Sweetnam's alma mater, while the Skerries U-18 squad includes 17 players from Skerries Community College, including injured centre Thomas McBrien.

BANDON: Joe Crowley; Harry Hall, Sean Galvin, Eoghan Guineavan, Matty Crowley; Jack Crowley, Ciaran Roberts; Conor Heaney, Alex O'Connor, James Collins O'Brien, Ben Donegan, Conor Keogh, Tadhg Galvin, Josh Brady (capt), Padraig Galvin.

Replacements: Sam Golden, Tom Bryant, Ronan Cremin, Mark Fehilly, Johan van der Westhuizen, Frank Toner, Denis McCan.

SKERRIES: Oisin McKee; Paddy Woods, Patrick Finn, Mark Mulcahy, Declan O'Reilly; Shane Murphy, John Healy; Cormac Murphy, Oisin Cousins, Sean Keenan, Paddy Fay-Watt, Joe Mulvany, Johnny Clear, Patrick Hutton, Cian Darling (capt).

Replacements: Mark Coomey, James Mulvany, Jake Chapman-Hughes, Kevin Varga, Ronan McNally, Ciaran McKeown, Donal Cotter, Sean Cahill.

irishfan9

Leinster Youths play this Saturday in Donnybrook at 1pm against CBC Monkstown

tabby aspreme

irishfan9 wrote: »

hopefully a few of those tullow lads play for leinster clubs this summer.

There were 5 or 6 of them playing on the Southeast team in the Shane Horgan cup.

irishfan9

tabby aspreme wrote: »

There were 5 or 6 of them playing on the Southeast team in the Shane Horgan cup.

good to hear.

The Lost Sheep

Provincial squads been picked for summer training squads. Break until after school exams. Some clubs named their players involved like Nenagh Ormond have 3 in Munster Under 18 Clubs squad

Hands Like Flippers

What exactly is the National Talent Squad? I've heard it come up a few times but can't find anything about it on IRFU site.
Cheers

The Lost Sheep

Hands Like Flippers wrote: »

What exactly is the National Talent Squad? I've heard it come up a few times but can't find anything about it on IRFU site.
Cheers

Best under 18s/19s with talent to play internationally/potential to turn pro.
These are old articles but still relevant.
http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/19834.php#.Wxa6E0gvzIU
http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/27939.php#.Wxa6FEgvzIU

Quin_Dub

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Best under 18s/19s with talent to play internationally/potential to turn pro.
These are old articles but still relevant.
http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/19834.php#.Wxa6E0gvzIU
http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/27939.php#.Wxa6FEgvzIU

If I'm checking the names correctly that 1st article from 2010 with the U18/U19 squads shows 24 out of 94 have gone on to a full Pro Career , with several now leading Internationals (Furlong , Henshaw , Leavy etc.)

That's a very good conversion rate indeed..

The Lost Sheep

Quin_Dub wrote: »

If I'm checking the names correctly that 1st article from 2010 with the U18/U19 squads shows 24 out of 94 have gone on to a full Pro Career, with several now leading Internationals (Furlong, Henshaw, Leavy etc.)

That's a very good conversion rate indeed..

With numbers from youths game standing up very well against Schools.

Have you heard any more names for provincial squads for this summer or are Munster changing to 18.5s to match other provinces?

Quin_Dub

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

With numbers from youths game standing up very well against Schools.

Have you heard any more names for provincial squads for this summer or are Munster changing to 18.5s to match other provinces?

Munster are moving to U18.5 for next season. So far no other changes to the age groups.

They are considering whether or not to shift U16 to U16.5 but no decision has been made there yet.

No news yet that I've heard on the Provincial squads..

The Lost Sheep

Quin_Dub wrote: »

Munster are moving to U18.5 for next season. So far no other changes to the age groups.

They are considering whether or not to shift U16 to U16.5 but no decision has been made there yet.

No news yet that I've heard on the Provincial squads..

If Munster were clever they would move to whats in place in Connacht and Leinster and have under 17 and 18.5 so it would be under 13/14/15/16/17 on January 1st date with 18.5s at July 1st.
Then the 3 southern provinces would have same age groups at all age grades and clubs in Munster could like clubs in Connacht/Leinster pick and choose which age grades to field teams in to compete with but all ireland series would only be at under 16/18.5

Quin_Dub

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

If Munster were clever they would move to whats in place in Connacht and Leinster and have under 17 and 18.5 so it would be under 13/14/15/16/17 on January 1st date with 18.5s at July 1st.
Then the 3 southern provinces would have same age groups at all age grades and clubs in Munster could like clubs in Connacht/Leinster pick and choose which age grades to field teams in to compete with but all ireland series would only be at under 16/18.5

Not sure the clubs have the players for that..

As I understand it , only North Munster play at U15 , the rest of the Province are currently 13,14,16,18.

U17 makes a degree of sense to me as well , in that certainly for the North Munster clubs they'd likely have more U17's available out of the schools than they would U18.5.

However only a few clubs would have the playing resources to field separate squads at 17's and 18.5 and once the Munster Cup starts you'd struggle to get free week-ends to play 17's fixutres

The Lost Sheep

Quin_Dub wrote: »

Not sure the clubs have the players for that..

As I understand it , only North Munster play at U15 , the rest of the Province are currently 13,14,16,18.

U17 makes a degree of sense to me as well , in that certainly for the North Munster clubs they'd likely have more U17's available out of the schools than they would U18.5.

However only a few clubs would have the playing resources to field separate squads at 17's and 18.5 and once the Munster Cup starts you'd struggle to get free week-ends to play 17's fixutres

East has had under 15 at times and again as i said id have under 17 and 18.5s and clubs pick and choose which to play. In Munster the Phase 2 Cup/Plate/Bowl would only be at 16s/18s and the 17s could simply be a straight league and be split into 2 divisions with winners/top sides facing off in knockout quarters/semis/final depending on take up of that level.
Yes only some clubs in some regions could field separate squads at 16s/17s/18.5s but it would then for some be like in Connacht for smaller clubs and players play on multiple teams with sides at each level playing week on week off.

The Lost Sheep

Provincial squads beginning to have warm up games for interpros. American touring side playing sides in each of the provinces at different levels at the moment while Ulster are scheduled to play an Ontario side at different age groups in a few weeks
Havent seen any other scheduled games yet

Hands Like Flippers

Did USA play Ulster clubs yesterday? Can't find result.

RockBoysarewii

There was a Leinster u17s team playing USA yesterday in Donnybrook

Hands Like Flippers

How did that go?

RockBoysarewii

I think it was 41-21 to Leinster.

It was a bit messy with three Leinster teams playing 20 odd minutes each.

hoodor

RockBoysarewii wrote: »

I think it was 41-21 to Leinster.

It was a bit messy with three Leinster teams playing 20 odd minutes each.

u17 schools or clubs?

The Lost Sheep

Hands Like Flippers wrote: »

Did USA play Ulster clubs yesterday? Can't find result.

US side won

RockBoysarewii wrote: »

There was a Leinster u17s team playing USA yesterday in Donnybrook

They were a schools side

The Lost Sheep

Connacht u17 and u18s playing US side, Eagles Impact Academy in Sportsground today
https://twitter.com/connachtrugby/status/1022489213370019840

The Lost Sheep

Connacht u17s lost 19-10 and 18s won 19-7

Hands Like Flippers

Results Vs Eagle Impact Rugby Academy (USA U17)
Ulster U16 drew 5-5
Ulster U17 won 12-5

The Lost Sheep

Munster team for opening interpro this weekend
Tim Hegarty (Old Christian’s RFC, Colaiste An Chroi Naofa, Carrignavar); Ihechi Oji(Douglas RFC, Douglas Community School), Conor McMahon (Nenagh RFC, Nenagh CBS), Jamie Shanahan Capt (Skibbereen RFC, Skibbereen Community School), Liam Murphy (Young Munster RFC, St Caimins Community School, Shannon); Tony Butler (Ennis RFC, St. Flannan’s College), Ethan Coughlan (Ennis RFC, Rice College); Eddie McIntosh (Clonmel RFC, Clonmel High School), Dylan Murphy (Nenagh RFC, Nenagh CBS), Darragh McCarthy(Cobh Pirates RFC, Cobh Community College), Jay Traynor (Waterpark RFC, De la Salle College, Waterford), Craig Hannon (Galbally RFC, John The Baptist Community School), Fearghail O’ Donoghue (Cashel RFC, Cashel Community School), Richard Wallace (Killarney RFC, St. Brendan’s College, Killarney), Jack O’Keeffe (Nenagh Ormond RFC, Nenagh CBS).

Replacements: Ciaran Bohane (Ballincollig RFC, Colaiste Choilm), Kian Regan (Tralee RFC, Gealcholaiste Chiarrai), Matt McCarthy (Clonakilty RFC, Clonakilty Community College), Tadhg Galvin (Bandon RFC, Hamilton High School), Jack Cosgrave (Young Munster RFC, Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh), Gavin Foley (Skibbereen RFC, Skibbereen Community School), Jack Barrett (Bruff RFC, Charleville CBS), Dylan Brosnan (Young Munster RFC, St Clement’s College).

The Lost Sheep

CONNACHT U18’s 2018/19
Name Position Club School
Alan Duffy Prop Ballina RFC Jesus and Mary Enniscrone
Aodha Hession Scrumhalf Creggs RFC CBS Roscommon
Caolan Hopkins Prop Ballina RFC St. Josephs, Foxford
Cathal Fleming Backrow Monivea RFC Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew
Cathal Forde Outhalf Corinthians RFC Colaiste Iognaid
Cian Scanlon Prop Corinthians RFC Scoil Chuimsitheach, Chiaran
Conal O’Grioffa Backrow Corinthians RFC Scoil Chuimsitheach, Chiaran
Conor O’Shaughnessy Fullback Galweigans RFC St Jarleths
Daragh Hanrahan Centre Corinthians RFC Colaiste Iognaid
Daragh Murray Second Row Buccaneers RFC Colaiste Chiaran
Diarmuid McCormack Backrow Corinthians RFC Colaiste Iognaid
Donnacha Byrne Backrow Sligo RFC Summerhill College
Eoin de Buitléar Hooker Corinthians RFC Scoil Chuimsitheach, Chiaran
Harry Balsiger Fullback West Offaly Lions Gallen CS
Hubert Costello Backrow Corinthians RFC Calasanctius College
Hubert Gilvarry Fullback Sligo RFC Sligo Grammar
Jack Power Centre Galweigans RFC Colaiste Iognaid
Kacper Palamarczuk Number 8 Westport RFC Rice College
Leo McFarlane Scrumhalf Buccaneers RFC Marist College, Athlone
Luke Hogge Centre Sligo RFC Colaiste Mhuire
Martin Fallon Second row Buccaneers RFC Marist College, Athlone
Matthew Earley Hooker Carrick on Shannon RFC Sligo Grammar
Oisin McCormack Backrow Ballinasloe RFC Garbally
Rory McCleane Wing Oughterard RFC Colaiste Einde
Sam O’Sullivan Centre Creggs RFC Marist College, Athlone
Dylan Keane Centre Ballinrobe RFC Roscrea

Quin_Dub

I have to say , it always irks me when they publish the clubs teams that they add the name of the schools as well , especially when the overwhelming majority of them to not even play rugby.

They don't do the reverse when publishing the Schools teams despite the fact that it's fairly certain that every one of those players got their 1st exposure to the game playing minis/youths in their local club.

The Lost Sheep

Quin_Dub wrote: »

I have to say , it always irks me when they publish the clubs teams that they add the name of the schools as well , especially when the overwhelming majority of them to not even play rugby.

They don't do the reverse when publishing the Schools teams despite the fact that it's fairly certain that every one of those players got their 1st exposure to the game playing minis/youths in their local club.

I dont see the issue of schools named on the clubs teams though depending on the province the schools do play some sort of rugby
They should do the reverse with the schools teams but hell will freeze over before it happens
And tbf i wouldnt say every one of the players got first exposure in club but nearly every one would have

The Lost Sheep

Leinster squads for intepros
https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/preview-u18-clubs-kick-off-interprovincial-championship-against-connacht/
https://www.leinsterrugby.ie/preview-leinster-u18-schools-prepare-new-interpro-format/