Ireland U-18 Clubs Squad Named For Portugal Trip

A 23-man Ireland Under-18 Clubs squad, sponsored by PwC, has been named for this Saturday’s international match against Portugal Under-18s at Estádio Nacional in Jamor (kick-off 4pm).

The Ireland U-18 Clubs squad is coached again this season by Dan van Zyl, a Coach Development Officer with Leinster Rugby and the province’s U-18 Clubs team head coach, and Munster’s Brendan O’Connor continues as forwards coach.

Nenagh Ormond back rower Evan Murphy, who captained Munster to the IRFU Under-18 Clubs Interprovincial title this season, is the only player included who was involved in Ireland’s 46-12 victory over Portugal in Jamor.

There are a number of players from the IQ Rugby programme, identified through the IRFU Exiles, included for this weekend’s trip to Portugal. This year’s Exiles Under-18s went unbeaten against the provinces earlier this season.

Chris Moore, Connor Beer and Joshua Dunne, who formed the Exiles back row against Leinster, are all selected in van Zyl’s national squad, along with the Bath Academy’s Oran McNulty who was a try scorer for the Ireland U-18 Clubs & Schools side against England U-18 Counties in Ashbourne last April.

Galwegians lock Iarlaith Morrin Laheen, who captained his province this season, leads the Connacht representation, while there is a healthy contingent of Leinster U-18 Clubs front rowers in Marcus Hanan, Mark Nicholson, who captained Wicklow to the Leinster U-17 League title in May, and Charlie Ward.

IRELAND UNDER-18 CLUBS Squad (v Portugal Under-18s, U-18 International Match, Estádio Nacional, Jamor, Saturday, November 4, kick-off 4pm):

Thomas Ahern (Dungarvan RFC/St. Augustine’s Dungarvan)
Connor Beer (Bath Academy/Beechen Cliff School/IQ Rugby)
Ben Daly (Waterpark RFC/Ard Scoil Na Mhara)
Joshua Dunne (Nottingham Academy/Denstone College/IQ Rugby)
Marcus Hanan (North Kildare RFC/Salesians College)
Paddy Harris (Wasps Academy/Henley College/IQ Rugby)
Joe Henry (Wellington College/IQ Rugby)
Hayden Hyde (Harlequins Academy/Cranleigh School/IQ Rugby)
Karl Martin (Boyne RFC/St. Mary’s School Drogheda)
Padraig McCarthy (Bantry Bay RFC/Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai)
Paddy McKenzie (Wicklow RFC /East Glendalough School)
Oran McNulty (Bath Academy/Millfield/IQ Rugby)
Chris Moore (Beechen Cliff School/IQ Rugby)
Iarlaith Morrin Laheen (Galwegians RFC/Calasanctius College)
Conor Morrissey (Cork Constitution FC/Mayfield CS)
Shane Murphy (Skerries RFC/St. Joseph’s, Rush)
Evan Murphy (Nenagh Ormond RFC/Nenagh CBS)
Thomas Ahern (Buccaneers RFC/Coláiste Chíaráin)
Mark Nicholson (Wicklow RFC/Colaiste Chill Mhantain)
Conor O’Brien (Nenagh Ormond RFC/Nenagh CBS)
Saul O’Carroll (Buccaneers RFC/Garbally College)
Kevin O’Connor (Cashel RFC/Cashel Community School)
Charlie Ward (Tullow RFC/Tullow Community School)

IRELAND UNDER-18 CLUBS Management –

Dan van Zyl – Head Coach
Philip Coyle – Team Manager
Brendan O’Connor – Assistant Coach
Mick Coughlan – Baggage Master
Padraig Sheeran – Doctor
Olan Daly – Team Analyst
Shane Malone – Physiotherapist
Ciaran Walsh – Strength & Conditioning Coach