Ireland U18 Men’s And Women’s Squads Named For Six Nations Festival

The Ireland U18 Men’s and Women’s squads have been named ahead of the respective Six Nations Festivals which begin next weekend.

For the U18 Men’s squad, there are seven Munster players included; Chris Barrett (CBC Cork), Jamie Conway (Castletroy College), Joe Finn (CC Roscrea College), Bill Hayes (CC Roscrea College), James O’Leary (PBC Cork), Cian Walsh (CBC Cork) and Tom Wood (St Munchin’s College).

In the U18 Women’s squad, there are four Munster players selected; Caitriona Finn (UL Bohemian/Ballina-Killaloe RFC), Mia Hennelly (Ballina-Killaloe RFC), Aoibheann McGrath (Dungarvan RFC / Carrick-On-Suir RFC) and Ava O’Malley (Killarney RFC).

See below for more details on the squad announcements.

Ireland U18 Men’s Squad

The Ireland U-18 Men’s Squad , sponsored by PwC, has been named for the upcoming Six Nations Men’s U18 Festival in Parma (March 29 – April 7).

The 26-man squad includes two players who featured in last year’s tournament which took place in Dublin – Charlie Molony and Luke McLaughlin, younger brother of Ireland U20 player Hugo.

There are several players who picked up a Schools Cup medal recently, named in the squad including Molony, Brian O’Flaherty, Conor O’Shaughnessy, Donnacha McGuire, and Michael Walsh from Blackrock College, James O’Leary from Pres Cork and RBAI players Blake McClean and Josh Gibson.

Ireland face France in their opening match on March 30th, followed by hosts Italy on April 3rd and finish the tournament against Portugal on April 7th.

All matches will be live streamed by Six Nations and will be available on IrishRugby.ie and YouTube.

Speaking about the tournament Wayne Mitchell, National Talent Squad & Talent ID Manager, said, “The Six Nations festival is a traditional part of the rugby calendar for our young players. It offers a wonderful opportunity for them get a taste of what it is like to play at an elite level. We’re really looking forward to seeing how the squad goes.”

Ireland U18 Schools Squad (U18 Six Nations Festival 2024, Parma, Italy, March 29-April 7)

Chris Barrett (CBC Cork/Munster Rugby)
Ethan Black (St. Michael’s College/Leinster Rugby)
Noah Byrne (Gonzaga College/Leinster Rugby)
Jamie Conway (Castletroy College/Munster Rugby)
Paddy Curry (Terenure College/Leinster Rugby)
Jack Deegan (CC Roscrea College/Leinster Rugby)
Max Doyle (Clongowes Wood College/Leinster Rugby)
Joe Finn (Roscrea College/Munster Rugby)
Rory Gavin (Colaiste Iognaid/Galwegians RFC/Connacht Rugby)
Josh Gibson (RBAI/Ulster Rugby)
Bill Hayes (CC Roscrea College/Munster Rugby)
Conor Magee (Banbridge Academy/Ulster Rugby)
Luke McLaughlin (Gonzaga College/Leinster Rugby)
Blake McClean (RBAI/Ulster Rugby)
Donnacha McGuire (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)
Dylan McNeice (St. Michael’s College/Leinster Rugby)
Charlie Meagher (CBC Monkstown/Leinster Rugby)
Charlie Molony (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)
Diarmuid O’Connell (Carrick on Shannon RFC/Sligo Grammar/Connacht Rugby)
James O’Dwyer (Gonzaga College/Leinster Rugby)
Brian O’Flaherty (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)
James O’Leary (PBC Cork/Munster Rugby)
Conor O’Shaughnessy (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)
Cian Walsh (CBC Cork/Munster Rugby)
Michael Walsh (Blackrock College/Leinster Rugby)
Tom Wood (St. Munchins College/Munster Rugby)

Ireland U18 School Management

Neil Doak – Head Coach
Brendan O’Connor – Assistant Coach
Michael Hodge – Assistant Coach
Stephen O’Hara – Team Manager
James O’Leary – Athletic Development Coach
David Lyons – Team Physio
Prof. John Ryan – Team Doctor
Brandon Shanahan – Team Analyst
Mo Dempsey – Team Logistics

U18 Six Nations Festival 2024 – Fixtures

Ireland u18 vs. France u18 (30th March 2024) @ 15.30pm

Ireland u18 vs. Italy u18 (3rd April 2024) @ 17.45pm

Ireland u18 vs. Portugal u18 (7th April 2024) @ 11.00am

Ireland U18 Women’s Squad

The Ireland U18 Women’s Squad, sponsored by PwC, has been named for the upcoming Six Nations Women’s U18 Festival which takes place in Colwyn Bay, Wales, from March 29th to April 6th.

Several players who featured in the tournament this time last year are again included – Alma Atagamen, Ailish Quinn, Grainne Moran, Emma Brogan, Caitriona Finn, Emily Foley, and Abby Healy.

Brogan and Foley along with Caitriona Finn also featured in the Ireland U18s 7s side that finished 5th in the Rugby Europe U18 7s last year.

The format remains the same as last year with two 35 minute matches in the opening rounds and finishing with a full 70 minute clash on the final day.

Ireland will face England on March 29th, followed by Wales on April 2nd and will close out the tournament against Scotland on April 6th.

All matches will be live streamed by Six Nations and will be available on IrishRugby.ie and YouTube.

Ireland U18 Women’s Squad (2024 U-18 Women’s Six Nations Festival, Colwyn Bay, Wales, March 29-April 6):

Jemima Adams-Verling (Creggs RFC/Connacht)
Alma Atagamen (Balbriggan RFC/Leinster)
Bronagh Boggan (Wexford Wanderers RFC/Leinster)
Emma Brogan (Navan RFC/Leinster)
Rebecca Brennan (Wicklow RFC/Leinster)
Aoife Corcoran (Coolmine RFC/Leinster)
Carla Cooney (Enniscorthy RFC/Leinster)
Sophie Cullen (Naas RFC/Leinster)
Clara Dunne (Wicklow RFC/Leinster)
Caitriona Finn (UL Bohemian RFC/Ballina-Killaloe RFC/Munster)
Emily Foley (Ballina RFC/Connacht)
Abby Healy (Wicklow RFC/Leinster)
Mia Hennelly (Ballina-Killaloe RFC/Munster)
Siofra Hession (Creggs RFC/Connacht)
Leah Irwin (Enniskillen RFC/Ulster)
Sophie McAllister (Ballymena RFC/Ulster)
Erin McConalogue (Inishowen RFC/Ulster)
Aoibheann McGrath (Dungarvan RFC / Carrick-on-Suir RFC/Munster)
Cara McLean (Larne RFC/Ulster)
Grainne Moran (Ballina RFC/Connacht)
Kate Noons (Cill Dara RFC/Leinster)
Ava O’Malley (Killarney RFC/Munster)
Sarah Purcell (Creggs RFC/Connacht)
Ailish Quinn (Ballina RFC/Connacht)
Sadhbh Wells (Enniskillen RFC/Ulster)
Emma Jane Wilson (Cill Dara/Leinster)

Ireland U18 Women’s Management Team

Matt Gill – Head Coach
Sana Govender – Assistant Coach
Becky Irvine – Team Manager
Lorna Barry – Athletic Development Coach
Naomi Hamilton – Team Physio

Ireland U18 Women’s Fixtures

Friday 29th March – 12pm v England (35mins) and 2pm v Italy (35mins)
Tuesday 2nd April – 12pm v Wales (35mins) and 1pm v France (35mins)
Saturday 6th April – 4.30pm v Scotland (Full 70mins)