Ireland U.18’s and U.19’s In Action

UCC’s Eric Moloney scores Ireland’s only try in their opening game of the IRB U19 World Championships, while Munster’s had three players in the U18 team that lost to England in the Four Nations.

Saturday 2nd April 2005 IRELAND U.18 s and U.19 s

2005 IRB U19 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

UCC s ERIC MALONEY SCORES IRELAND S ONLY TRY AGAINST GEORGIA

The Irish U.19 team had a 16-0 victory over Georgia on Friday in their first pool game in the 2005 IRB U19 World Championship being held in Durban, South Africa.

Five players from Munster appeared in the match, with three starting and two coming on as replacements. UCC winger Eric Moloney from Limerick was on the starting line up and picked up Ireland s only try of the game in the second half. Also included in the starting fifteen was Moloney s UCC team mate ex-PBC star Evan Ryan at out half and UCC s Fergal Walsh came on to replace Devon Toner in the second row after 61 minutes. Crescent College Comprehensive s Barry O Mahony played the full game at open side wing forward and he is a member of the Munster Academy. Prop Kevin Griffin, of Kilfeacle and Shannon came on after 45 minutes. UL Bohemian prop Gary Walsh and Thomond/Garryowen winger Frank Daly are also on the squad but didn t get a run in Friday s game.

Played in Kings Park, Durban, the Irish made a welcome return to the competition after the tragic death of Ulster flanker John McCall in their opening game last year resulted in the Irish team withdrawing from the competition. Despite the difficult hot and humid conditions, Ireland s captain, fullback Rob Kearney, kicked 11 of Ireland s 16 points, but the team failed to score a bonus point.

In their next Division One pool game on Tuesday 5th, Ireland play hosts South Africa, with the final pool game against Australia on Saturday 9th April.

Irish U.19 Team: 15. Robert Kearney (UCD) Captain, 14. Eric Moloney (UCC), 13. Fergus McFadden (Clongowes), 12. Darren Cave (Sullivan Upper School), 11. Dale Black (Portadown), 10. Evan Ryan (UCC), 9. Matthew D Arcy (Dublin University), 1. Callum Black (Hartpury), 2. Gavin O Meara (Lansdowne), 3. Brendan Lynch (Rotherham Titans), 4. David McGowan (Buccanneers), 5. Devon Toner (Lansdowne), 6. Diarmuid Laffen (Dublin University), 7. Barry O Mahony (Crescent College Comprehensive), 8. Darren O Reilly (Blackrock College) Replacements: Robert Boles (Colstons Collegiate School) 68 for Robert Kearney, Conor Muldoon (Galwegians) 69 for Gavin O Meara, Kevin Griffin (Shannon) 45 for Brendan Lynch, Fergal Walsh (UCC) 61 for Devon Toner, Adrian Saunderson (Ballyclare) 44 for Darren O Reilly

FOUR NATIONS TOURNAMENT

Ireland U18 s suffered a 38-19 defeat against England at Pontypridd on Friday. Having drawn against Wales and beaten Scotland in their earlier games, Ireland s U18 were hoping for a better performance against England. St. Munchin s hooker Ger Slattery, kicked three conversions in the first half to keep Ireland in touch, but England proved too strong, running in four tries, with three conversions and four penalties. Also included on the starting line up was St. Munchin s Neilus Keogh at second row. Clanwilliam s Tommy O Donnell came on for Sean O Brien after 66 minutes.

Irish U.18 Team: 15. Dan Lavery (Irish Exiles) , 14. Shane Monahan (Boyne RFC), 13. Aiden Wynne , Athlone RFC), 12. Ian Whitten (Wallace HS), 11. Colin Murphy (Belvedere College), 10. Ian Keatley ( Belvedere College), 9. Stephen Cranley (Pres. Bray), 1. David Millard (Irish Exiles), 2. Gerard Slattery (St. Munchin s), 3. Richard Sweeney (St. Mary s College), 4. Jonathon Graham (Royal School Armagh), 5. Nelius Keogh (St. Munchin s College), 6. Kevin Sheehan (St. Michael s College), 7. David Fenlon (Irish Exiles), 8. Sean O’Brien (Tullow RFC) (capt) Replacements: David Drake (R.B.A.I.) for Stephen Cranley (64), David Mahoney (St. Michael s College) for David Milard (64), Steven Douglas (R.B.A.I.) for Ger Slattery (52), James McCullough (R.B.A.I.) for Richard Sweeney (64), Jamie Hogan (Balbriggan) for Neilus Keogh (52), Tommy O Donnell (Clanwilliam) for Sean O Brien (66), David Johnston (Methodist College) for David Fenlon (67)