Ireland Under-18 Schools Squad Announced

The Ireland Schools selectors have named a squad of 26 players to take on the Japanese Under-19s in Dublin this weekend.

The squad announced will also represent Ireland at the Six Nations Under-18 tournament which takes place in Glasgow from April 8 to 14.

A team will be selected from this squad for the game against Japan at Templeville Road, the home of St. Mary’s College RFC, on Saturday, March 31 (kick-off 2.30pm). The game will be part of the build-up to the traditional U-18 Schools tournament which will see Ireland take on Italy U-18 in their opening game, followed by matches against France and England over the Easter holidays.

The team will be captained by James Sandford of Royal School Armagh.

IRELAND UNDER-28 SCHOOLS SQUAD (v Japan U-19/Six Nations U-18 Tournament):

Forwards (14):

Alex Byrne (St. Michael’s College)
Peter Kelleher (PBC Cork)
Nermin Lovic (Belvedere College)
Adam Macklin (Methodist College)
Stephen Mahony (St. Michael’s College)
Patrick McAllister (R.S. Armagh)
Patrick McGowan (Ballymena Academy)
Kyle O’Dwyer (CBC Cork)
Brian O’Hara (PBC Cork)
Peter O’Mahony (PBC Cork)
Felix Ross (The King’s Hospital)
James Ryan (Rockwell College)
James Sandford (R.S. Armagh) (capt)
Thomas Sexton (Belvedere College)

Backs (12):

Ricky Andrew (Ballymena Academy)
Mark Atkinson (Grosvenor G.S.)
Sam Bell (Methodist College)
Andrew Burke (Crescent College)
Gary Foley (CBC Monkstown)
Shane Gahan (Gonzaga College)
Robert Johnston (Blackrock College)
David Kearney (Clongowes Wood College)
Ian Madigan (Blackrock College)
Chris Nolan (CBC Cork)
Ronan O’Mahony (Castletroy Colllege)
Richard Reaney (R.S. Armagh)

Management:

Lorcan Balfe (Manager)
Peter Melia (Coach)
Paul Barr (Assistant Coach)
Ossie Fogarty (Doctor)
David Lyons (Physiotherapist)

Ireland Schools Fixtures:

March 31, 2007 – Ireland Schools v Japan Under-19s, Templeville Road, St. Mary’s College RFC, 2.30pm
April 8, 2007 – Italy Under-18s v Ireland U-18 Schools, Old Anniesland, Glasgow Hawks RFC, 3pm
April 11, 2007 – France Under-18s v Ireland U-18 Schools, Old Anniesland, Glasgow Hawks RFC, 7.30pm
April 14, 2007 – England Under-18s v Ireland U-18 Schools, Burnbrae, West of Scotland RFC, 1pm