Five Munster Players To Start

Ireland’s U18 Club side will play France today, with five Munster Representative Players named in the starting XV.

The side is lead by Jack O’Donoghue, who last year captained Waterpark to an Avonmore SuperMilk Munster Youth Final win against Shannon.

Speaking about this achievement, Dermot Kelly, Manager of the Munster Under 18 Team said, “ It is a great testament to the hard work put in by both the players and the coaching staff, leading into the interprovincial games of this season 2011/12.

“We are currently building on the progress made over the last year and the inclusion of 5 players for Irelands U18 Club Side is evidence of the work and commitment put in at club level throughout the Province.”

Adrian Enright (Abbeyfeale) will play on the wing along with fellow Munster man Seamus Keating (Dungarvan) and Killian O’Keeffe (Crosshaven) will start at scrum half. John Madigan (Charleville) has been named in the second row while Jack O’Donoghue (Waterpark) will captain the side at number eight.

Following their 17-11 defeat by Italy in their opening game of the season in Rovigo last February, they now face France U18 Clubs today at St. Mary’s College RFC, Kick off 12:00.

Ireland will then play their England counterparts on April 14th.

Ireland Under-18 Clubs v France Under-18 Clubs (Thursday 5th April, St. Mary’s College RFC – Kick off 12.00hrs)

15 – Rueben Pepperhobbs (Westport /Connacht)
14 – Adrian Enright (Abbeyfeale /Munster)
13 – Adam Byrne (UCD /Leinster)
12 – Sean O'Hagan (London Irish /Exiles)
11 – Seamus Keating (Dungarvan /Munster)
10 – Fergal Cleary (Navan /Leinster)
9 – Killian O'Keeffe (Crosshaven/Munster)
1 – Peter Dooley (Birr/Leinster)
2 – Paul O’Donnell (Galwegians /Connacht)
3 – Jacob Walshe (Garbally/Ballinasloe /Connacht)
4 – Russell Blair (Ballymoney/Ulster)
5 – John Madigan (Charleville/Munster)
6 – Killian Sweeney (Malahide /Leinster)
7 – Joseph Bercis (Rugby Lions/Exiles)
8 – Jack O'Donoghue (Waterpark /Munster) Captain

Replacements

16 – Brian Cunningham (Navan/Leinster)
17 – Stephen Dalton (Westcombe Park/Ravens Wood Rugby Academy/Exiles)
18 – Scott Flannagan (Buccaneers/Connacht)
19 – Luke Connolly (Glamorgan Wanderers /Exiles)
20 – Francis Taggart (Whitgift School/Exiles)
21 – Caolin Blade (Monivea/Connacht)
22 – Jim White (Enniscorthy /Leinster)
23 – Eoghan O’Reilly (Buccaneers/Connacht)