Ireland Club Team Named For Dalriada Cup Decider

Head Coach Morgan Lennon has made six changes to the Ireland Club XV side for Friday’s Club International Series decider against Scottish Clubs.

A total of nine Munster club players have been selected, including Cork Constitution’s Niall Kenneally who will captain the side, while club teammates Aidan Moynihan, Brian Hayes, Conor Kindregan, Luke Cahill, James Murphy, Young Munster’s Dan Walsh, UCC’s John Poland and Garryowen’s Liam Cronin.

The Irish will have a 14-point advantage at Energia Park as they look to win the Dalriada Cup for the first time in five years.

Hooker John Sutton and Prop Tom O’Reilly are rotated into the front row with Michael Brown starting on the wing. Prop Adam Coyle and Dan Walsh have been drafted in from the extended 32-man squad. Walsh comes straight into the starting XV in place of the injured Joe McSwiney.

The Young Munster open side admits there is a need to back up a rare win in Scotland with a performance in Energia Park. “The lads did brilliantly last week so there’s a pressure on us to deliver in front of our home fans. I know I’ll need to put in a performance too as the back row was outstanding. We’ll give it 100%,” he said.

Michael Noone also picked up a knock last week as a back row replacement. His place on the bench goes to Cork Constitution’s James Murphy, who is called up from outside the initial squad. He was initially selected for the 2018 series but was forced to withdraw due to injury.

The Dalriada Cup will go to the side with the higher aggregate score in the two-game series. Kick-off in Energia Park on Friday is at 7:30pm and tickets are now available on ticketmaster.ie

IRELAND CLUB XV v Scottish Clubs (2019 Dalriada Cup Series, Energia Park, Donnybrook – Friday 8th February – Kick-off 7.30pm):

15. Eamon Mills (Lansdowne/4)
14. Daniel McEvoy (Lansdowne/3)
13. Niall Kenneally (Cork Constitution/3) (capt)
12. Matt D’Arcy (Clontarf/8)
11. Michael Brown (Clontarf/1)
10. Aidan Moynihan (Cork Constitution/1)
9. John Poland (UCC/1)
1. Tom O’Reilly (St. Mary’s College/1)
2. John Sutton (Buccaneers/1)
3. Ian Prendiville (Lansdowne/6)
4. Brian Hayes (Cork Constitution/1)
5. Conor Kindregan (Cork Constitution/1)
6. Michael Melia (Terenure College/3)
7. Dan Walsh (Young Munster/0)
8. Luke Cahill (Cork Constitution/1)

Replacements:
16. Liam Cronin (Garryowen/1)
17. Cronan Gleeson (Old Wesley/3)
18. Adam Coyle (Naas/0)
19. Jack O’Sullivan (Lansdowne/1)
20. James Murphy (Cork Constitution/0)
21. Alan Bennie (Lansdowne/1)
22. Callum Smith (Malone/1)
23. Jack Keating (Old Belvedere/1)