Six Munster Players Named On Ireland Schools Squad

The Ireland U-18 Schools Squad has been announced naming six Munster players for the upcoming European U-18 Championships in Spain from March 29th to April 8th.

David Johnson, Rockwell College and Cormac O’Donnell, St. Munchin’s College who both featured in last Monday’s Schools Senior Cup final have been named along with last year’s Munster Schools Junior Cup winners Gearoid Lyons and Greg O’Shea from Crescent College Comprehensive.

Cork players Max Abbott from Presentation Brothers College and Charlie Slowley from Christian Brothers College have also been included in the 26 man squad.

The Ireland U-18 Schools will warm up for their defence of the FIRA/AER European U-18 Championship with a pre tournament friendly against Scotland in Coolmine RFC on Sunday, March 25th, k.o. 12 noon.

This year's Justin Bridou U-18 European Championship takes place in Spain with Ireland drawn in the Elite group alongside England, Wales, France, Scotland, Italy, Georgia and Portugal.

Ireland won the tournament in France last year for the first time having previously reached two finals with the U-18 Club team.

The U-18 Schools, who beat a fancied England team by 17 – 8 to take the title in 2011, will play Portugal in Ciudad Universitaria in Madrid in their opening game. The winner will progress to a semi final where they will face either France or Scotland.

Terry McMaster will coach the 26 man squad with the assistance of Paul Barr and Kenny Hooks.

Ireland U-18 Schools Squad

Max Abbott (PBC Cork/ Munster)
Benjamin Alexander (RBAI/ Ulster)
Shane Boyle (Sligo GS/ Connacht)
Harrison Brewer (Terenure College/ Leinster)
William Dardis (Terenure College/ Leinster)
Shane Delahunt (Kilkenny College/ Leinster)
Dylan Donnellan (Clongowes Wood College/ Leinster)
Josh Fullerton (CCB/ Ulster)
Bobby Holland (St. Michaels College/ Leinster)
David Johnston (Rockwell College/ Munster)
Cian Kellerher (St. Michaels College/ Leinster)
Daniel Leavy (St. Michaels College/ Leinster)
Gearoid Lyons (Crescent College/ Munster)
Rory Maloney (CC Roscrea/ Connacht)
Eoghan McKeever (CBC Monkstown/ Leinster)
Conor McKeon (Gonzaga/ Leinster)
Saba Meunargia (Marist College/ Connacht)
Ross Molony (St. Michaels College/ Leinster)
Sean O'Brien (CC Roscrea/ Connacht)
Cormac O'Donnell (St Munchins/ Munster)
Ruairi O'Farrell (Blackrock College/ Leinster)
Jack O'Neill (Castleknock College/ Leinster)
Gregory O'Shea (Crescent College/ Munster)
Rory O'Loughlin (St. Michaels College/ Leinster)
Charlie Slowey (CBC Cork/ Munster)
Peadar Timmins (Clongowes Wood College/ Leinster)