Squad Named For Under-19 World Cup

A 26-man Ireland squad has been named for the forthcoming IRB Under-19 World Cup in Durban, South Africa. The Irish travelling party departs on Sunday, March 27.

The Irish youngsters will be captained by UCD full-back Robert Kearney – who twice kicked a brace of penalties in the recent losses to England (47-6) and Wales (37-6) – and also include 2004 Ireland Schools skipper Diarmuid Laffen in their ranks.

The tournament – which runs between April 1-17 – will see Ireland take on Georgia, South Africa and Australia in the opening pool stages.

The April 9 clash with the Wallabies will be a poignant one, as it will take place at the ABSA stadium – the venue at which eighteen-year-old flanker and Ulster Schools captain John McCall tragically collapsed and died in Ireland’s opening game at the 2004 tournament.

Defending champions New Zealand will again be favourites for the 60-match competition. The Baby Blacks are number one sees in Division A.

IRELAND U-19 Squad:

Callum Black (Hartpury)
Dale Black (Portadown)
Robert Boles (Colstons Collegiate School)
Darren Cave (Sullivan Upper School)
Greg Cooney (Old Belvedere)
Frank Daly (Thomond)
Matthew D’Arcy (Dublin University)
Daniel Dawson (Cooke)
Kevin Griffin (Shannon)
Robert Kearney (UCD) (Captain)
Diarmuid Laffen (Dublin University)
Killian Lett (UCD)
Brendan Lynch (Rotherham Titans)
Fergus McFadden (Clongowes)
David McGowan (Buccanneers)
Eric Moloney (UCC)
Conor Muldoon (Galwegians)
Barry O’Mahony (Crescent College Comprehensive)
Gavin O’Meara (Lansdowne)
Darren O’Reilly (Blackrock College)
Evan Ryan (UCC)
Adrian Saunderson (Ballyclare)
David Sherry (Ard Scoil Ris)
Devon Toner (Lansdowne)
Fergal Walsh (UCC)
Gary Walsh (UL Bohemians)

Coach: Pat Murray
Assistant Coach: Bryan Hyland
Manager: Michael Cunningham

2005 IRB U-19 World Cup: Ireland fixtures: (all times South Africa)

Friday, April 1: Ireland v Georgia, Kings Park B, 2.45pm

Tuesday, April 5: South Africa v Ireland, Woodburn, 3.30pm

Saturday, April 9: Ireland v Australia, ABSA Stadium, 2.45pm

Division A: (1), New Zealand, (2) France, (3) South Africa, (4) England, (5) Wales, (6) Australia, (7) Ireland, (8) Japan, (9) Scotland, (10) Argentina, (11) Georgia, (12) Romania

Division B: (1) Italy, (2) Uruguay, (3) Chile, (4) Namibia, (5) Tonga, (6) Russia, (7) Samoa, (8) USA, (9) Spain, (10) Korea, (11) Zimbabwe, (12) Paraguay