Barron Looks Ahead To U19 Interpro Series
22nd August 2016 By Munster Rugby
We catch up with Tipperary man Diarmuid Barron who looks ahead to representing his province in the Munster U19 Interprovincial Series this September.
A native of Cashel, Co. Tipperary, Barron has recently graduated from his second year with the Munster Rugby Talent Camp, having represented Munster at Under 18 Schools level last season.
The Munster U19s have been training alongside the Munster Combined Under 20 and Development Squad throughout the summer in Cork and Limerick, and Barron said working together has helped raise the standards within the Under 19 camp.
“It has definitely raised the bar and there is a lot more use of physicality at training. You’re training and playing alongside older guys that obviously are going to be bigger, so you’re getting used to changing your game around which is very beneficial. They really help you along aswell, especially with your own specific position and they’re great to give you advice if you need it.”
Barron, who recently completed his Leaving Certificate, is a former pupil of Rockwell College where he claimed a Munster Schools Senior Cup medal in 2015 and captained his school last season. Based on that experience he said he was familiar with many of his teammates going into this year’s Talent Camp.
“I would have known most of them from playing against them in schools rugby. Obviously you would be eyeing the guy playing for your position so there is very healthy competition which makes you work as hard as you can. At the same time we’re a squad of players playing for our province so we play together as a unit and don’t lose sight of that.”
The Munster U18 Clubs and Schools were both narrowly defeated by Leinster last season, who went on to claim both respective titles, and Barron said the experience will stand to all the players going into this year’s series.
“You definitely have a different frame of mind playing at Interpro level. We have trained really hard and had the best of coaching throughout the summer which has really boosted our confidence.
“Throughout the Talent Camp we have been steadily improving and the coaches have really instilled a belief in us.
“Last year we felt that both our Under 18 squads left it slip. Though it was disappointing, it was a great learning experience so we’ll take it with us this year and hopefully do our province proud.”
The Munster Under 19s will take on Sunday’s Well in a pre Interprovincial friendly on Thursday, 25th August at Irish Independent Park (Back Pitch), ko 7pm.
Getting To Know Diarmuid Barron
Age: 18
School: Rockwell College (Just completed Leaving Cert)
Position: Hooker
Hometown: Cashel
Favourite Food: Spaghetti Bolognaise
Favourite TV programme: Top Gear
Favourite Film: Django Unchained
Favourite Actor/Actress: Robert Sheehan
Most enjoyable holiday location: Lisbon, Portugal
Marooned on a desert island what could you not be without: My phone
Favourite sport other than rugby: Gaelic Football
The sport you least like: I like all sports
Person you would most like to meet: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Where and when did you first play rugby: Cashel RFC – Age 5
Biggest influence on rugby career: My Dad. Even though he played Gaelic Football for Tipperary!!
Other Sports you played: Gaelic Football, Basketball & Hurling
Best rugby memory: Munster Schools Senior Cup Medal 2015
Sports person you admire most: Dane Coles
Rugby team you admire most: Munster Rugby
Sporting event you would most like to attend: Rugby World Cup Final
Three people you would invite to dinner: Roy Keane, Joe Brolly and Arielle Grande
Favourite singer or band: Hozier
Munster U19 Management Team
Head Coach: Noel O’Meara
Assistant Coach: Denis Leamy
Team Manager: Tom Fogarty
S&C: Johnny McGailey
Scrum Coach: Ian Murray
Performance Analyst: Gill Bourke
Kit Manager: Billy McNamara
Physio: Shane Malone
Interprovincial Fixtures 2016
Munster Combined U20 & Development Squad Fixtures
Friday, 2nd September, Munster Combined U20 & Development Squad v Connacht, Irish Independent Park, ko 7pm
Friday, 9th September, Munster Combined U20 & Development Squad v Ulster, Thomond Park, ko 7pm
Friday, 16th September, Leinster v Munster Combined U20 & Development Squad, Donnybrook, ko 7pm
Munster Under 19 Fixtures
Saturday, 3rd September, Munster Under 19s v Connacht, Thomond Park Stadium, ko 2.30pm
Saturday, 10th September, Munster Under 19s v Ulster, CIT, ko 3pm
Saturday, 17th September, Leinster Under 19s v Munster Under 19s
Munster Under 18 Clubs Fixtures
Friday, 19th August, Munster U18 Clubs v Exiles, Irish Independent Park, ko 7pm
Saturday, 3rd September, Ulster U18 Clubs v Munster U18 Clubs
Sunday, 11th September, Munster Under 18 Clubs v Leinster, Thomond Park, ko 2.30pm
Saturday, 17th September, Connacht Under 18 Clubs v Munster Under 18 Clubs
Munster U18 Schools Fixtures
Friday, 26th August, Ulster v Munster Under 18 Schools, Perry Park, ko 4.00pm
Tuesday, 30th August, Munster Under 18 Schools v Leinster, Thomond Park Stadium, ko 2.30pm
Saturday, 10th September, Munster Under 18 Schools v Ulster, CIT, ko 1pm
Saturday, 24th September, Leinster Under 18 Schools v Munster Under 18 Schools, Donnybrook 3pm
