Munster Players in Ireland Action

A weekend of mixed fortunes for Munster players representing their country at the weekend.

Ireland Women

The Irish representative action was rounded up on Sunday afternoon when the Irish Women’s team suffered defeat at the hands of an impressive England side. Ireland became the first side to score against England in this 6 Nations campaign with Clonmel’s Kate O’Loughlin touching down for a try.

The England Women continue on the quest for a 6 Nations Grandslam after defeating Ireland Women 22-5.

Ireland currently lie in fourth place on the table and with upcoming home ties against Wales and Scotland the side will be looking to improve their position as they finish out the tournament.

Ireland Women: Niamh Briggs (Clonmel/Munster), Nora Stapleton (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Joanne O’Sullivan (Richmond/Exile), Shannon Houston (Blackrock/Leinster), Amy Davis (Blackrock/Leinster), Helen Brosnan (Highfield/Munster), Tania Rosser (Blackrock/Leinster), Fiona Coghlan (UL Bohemians/Leinster) (capt), Chris Fanning (Highfield/Munster), Lauren Day (Cooke/Ulster), Kate O’Loughlin (Clonmel/Munster), Marie Louise Reilly (Navan/Leinster), Orla Brennan (Blackrock/Leinster), Claire Molloy (Bristol/Connacht), Joy Neville (UL Bohemians/Munster).

Replacements used: Grace Davitt (Blackrock/Leinster) for Houston (62 mins), Emer McManamly (Blackrock/Leinster) for Day, Gillian Bourke (UL Bohemians/Munster) for Fanning (both 65), Louise Austin (UL Bohemians/Munster) for Brennan, Carol Staunton (Galwegians/Connacht) for Coghlan, Alison Miller (Portlaoise/Connacht) for Davis (all 73), Louise Beamish (UL Bohemians/Munster) for Rosser (75).

AIB Club Interntational XV

A second half resurgence from the Ireland Club side showed great determination and belief, but unfortunately the memorable comeback was not to be, as the side were defeated 29-25 by England Counties.

Despite Ireland’s best efforts in the closing half, the damage was done going in at the break as England held a 23 point advantage.

Shannon’s Michael Essex scored Ireland’s first try, with his fellow clubman Stephen Kelly adding two more. Dolphin’s Barry Keeshan added a penalty and a conversion.

Next up David O’Mahony’s charges face the Scottish Club side on Friday March 19th in Donnybrook, ko 7pm.

Ireland Club XV: Daragh O’Shea (Clontarf), John Cleary (Galwegians), Eric Moloney (Dolphin), Evan Ryan (Cork Constitution), Stephen Kelly (Shannon), Barry Keeshan (Dolphin), Sam Cronin (Dolphin) (capt), Martin Gately (Cork Constitution), Mike Essex (Shannon), Simon Shawe (Ballymena), Paul Huntly (Blackrock College), Fergal Walsh (Shannon), Richie Leyden (Old Belvedere), Barry O’Mahony (Dolphin), Frank Cogan (Cork Constitution).

Replacements used: Hugh Hogan (St. Mary’s College) for Cogan (61 mins), Simon Crawford (Clontarf) for Huntly (65), Aaron Dundon (Clontarf) for O’Mahony (78). Not used: Christy Condon (Dolphin), Cathal Sheridan (UL Bohemians), Darragh Fitzpatrick (Blackrock College), Sean Scanlon (UCC).

Ireland U20s

The Ireland U20s move to top of the 6 Nations table after their Friday night win in Kingsholm, where they defeated the England U20s 25 points to 20.

Shannon’s Duncan Casey made his first appearance of the 6 Nations tournament coming on in the final minutes.

Ireland welcome Wales to Dubarry Park on Friday March 12th, ko 7.30pm.

Ireland U20: Andrew Conway (Blackrock College/Leinster); Darren Hudson (St. Mary’s College/Leinster), Brendan Macken (Blackrock College/Leinster), Nevin Spence (Ballynahinch/Ulster), Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster); James McKinney (Queen’s University/Ulster), John Cooney (UCD/Leinster); Bryan Cagney (UCC/Munster), Niall Annett (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), Jack O’Connell (Lansdowne/Leinster), David O’Callaghan (UCC/Munster), Ben Marshall (UCD/Leinster), Rhys Ruddock (UCD/Leinster) (capt), Dominic Ryan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Patrick Butler (Shannon/Munster).

Replacements used: Brian Kingston (Blackrock College/Leinster) for McKinney (50 mins), Stewart Maguire (Old Belvedere/Leinster) for O’Connell, Brian Hayes (Cork Constitution/Munster) for Marshall (both 63), Michael Heaney (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) for Cooney (67), Duncan Casey (Shannon/Munster) for Annett (68), Eoin Griffin (Corinthians/Connacht) for Macken (79). Not used: Robin O’Sullivan (Bective Rangers/Leinster).

Irish Colleges

The Irish College’s side were at the wrong end of a six try tally as the England Students proved too strong winning 42-9 in Gosford on Friday night.

Irish Colleges: Conor Lavelle (Athlone IT); Conor Conroy (NUI Galway), Paul Harte (Athlone IT), Phil De Barra (IT Carlow), Ross Williamson (IT Carlow); Conor Murphy (NUI Galway), Hugo Nolan (DCU); Jarleth Naughton (GMIT), Wayne Falvey (Cork IT), Sean Preston (DIT), Michael Kearney (IT Carlow), Ben Reilly (DCU), John Dever (Garda College), Ross Hackney (UUJ), Alex Dunlop (IT Tallaght) (capt).

Replacements: Andrew Ferguson (Belfast Metropolitan College), Gavin Kelly (Athlone IT), Benny McManus (Athlone IT), Cathal Deans (IT Tallaght), Andrew Winder (UUC), Andrew Kenny (IT Carlow).