Under 19 Squad for IRB World Championship Announced
The Ireland U19 Squad (sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers) for the IRB Under 19 World Championship has been named today (Wednesday, 21st March).
EMBARGO 2:15 p.m.
The Championships will take place in Belfast from April 4th – 21st. The Ireland squad will be captained by Paul Ryan of Blackrock College RFC.
Ireland Coach Charlie McAleese said, “Playing at home as the hosts for the tournament was always an added incentive for many of the boys and the selection process has seen a large number of superb candidates whittled down to the final twenty six. As always, there are some disappointed players, but the selections were difficult in many of the positions for the final squad”.
“The pressures of also playing as tournament hosts will be a big part of our challenge, as will the top class opponents we will be facing. It does not get much tougher then playing the defending champions in your opening game and Australia are always tremendously strong at this level”.
“We will need to be at the very top of our game to be able to compete with all of our Pool A opponents over the next couple of weeks, but if we get off to a winning start it will set us up for the rest of the tournament”.
Paul Ryan, also expressed his delight at being named Captain, “It does not get much better then captaining Ireland at any level, but to be doing it as hosts in these World Championships makes it extra special”.
“Playing at home will hopefully give the team an edge and we know that the famous Irish, and especially Ulster, support will give us a great reception during all of our games. Playing Southern hemisphere teams will be a new experience for the majority of the team and we know that they will be physical in all aspects of their play and we expect some really tough games in our opening pool matches”.
“The chance to play at home in such a great tournament is great opportunity for myself and the rest of the squad, so we are really looking forward to the start of the competition”.
The Ireland Under 19 Squad for the IRB Under 19 World Championship is as follows:
Player School/Club
Forwards (14)
Brian Cawley UCD
Stephen Douglas Ballymena
Kieran Essex Christian Brothers College, Cork/UCC
David Foley U.L. Bohemians
Jason Harris-Wright Blackrock College
Paul Karayianis RBAI/Queens
Ian Leonard St. Michael’s College
Patrick Mallon St. Michael’s College
Patrick McCabe Dublin University
Ian Nagle Glenstal Abbey
Matthew Nelson Ballynahinch
Rajan Riley St. Michael’s College
Paul Ryan (Captain) Blackrock College RFC
Michael Sherry Ard Scoil Rís/Garryowen
Backs (11)
Paddy Brophy St. Michael’s College
Conor Cleary St. Michael’s College
Adam Craig Instonians
Scott Deasy Presentation Brothers College, Cork
Alan Gaughan Buccaneers
Kris Greene St. Mary’s College RFC
Murray Kinsella Newtown School, Waterford
Harry McAleese Ballynahinch RFC
Niall Morris Blackrock College RFC
Eoin O’Malley UCD
Tommy Seymour Down High School
Jamie Smith Ballymena
Coaching Staff
Coach – Charlie McAleese
Manager – Gerard Slattery
Assistant Coach – Bobby Byrne
Defence coach – Kurt McQuilkan
Physiotherapist – Shane Collins
Physiotherapist – Josh Hoopes
Doctor – Tim O’Flanagan
Fitness Advisor – Ray Egan
Technical Advisor – Derek Suffern
Pool A – Ireland Fixtures
Australia v Ireland, Ravenhill, Belfast 05/04/2007, Kick off 19:30
Scotland v Ireland, Ravenhill, Belfast 09/04/2007, Kick off 19:30
South Africa v Ireland, Ravenhill, Belfast 13/04/2007, Kick off 19:30
You can keep up to date with information on the tournament and the Irish team on IrishRugby.ie
For further information on the tournament and up to date match reports, log onto http://www.irbu19.com/