Ireland Club Team Captures Beach Rugby Plate
The Ireland Club team, who completed an historic double over the England Counties and Scotland Clubs sides earlier this season, added to their trophy haul by winning the Plate at the FIRA/AER Beach Rugby tournament in Anglet, France last weekend.
Captained by Clontarf back rower Barry O’Mahony, the Ireland Club side came from 2-0 down to beat Russia 4-2 in the Plate final in their first ever tournament.
Ireland had drawn with Portugal, lost to eventual tournament winners France and Italy and beat Russia and Wales in the opening ranking games on the first day of the tournament.
In the pool stages, the Ireland Club side finished third in their pool and qualified for the Plate pla-yoff. They beat Portugal 3-1 to set up the final with Russia whom they had drawn with in the pool stages.
Coached by David O’Mahony, who was in charge of the Ireland Club team during the regular season, the eight-man squad contained some of the top club players drawn from the Ulster Bank League.
Ireland Club International Squad (FIRA/AER Beach Tournament, Anglet, France)
John Cleary (Galwegians)
Matt D’Arcy (St. Mary’s College)
Hugh Hogan (St. Mary’s College)
Gerry Hurley (Cork Constitution)
Barry Keeshan (Dolphin)
John O’Brien (Buccaneers)
Barry O’Mahony (Clontarf) (capt)
Evan Ryan (Clontarf)
Ireland Club International Management
Coach – David O’Mahony
Manager – Jean Casey
Physio – Garrett Coughlan
