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Ireland U-18 Schools Squad Revealed For International Series 5 April 2017 11:17 The Ireland Under-18 Schools squad, sponsored by PwC, has been confirmed for the Under-18 International Series which will take place in Wales over the Easter holidays.

The competition, which features Ireland, England, Italy, Scotland, Canada and Wales, takes place in Cardiff, Caerphilly and Llanelli. Ireland will play Italy, England and hosts Wales on Saturday, April 8, Wednesday, April 12 and Sunday, April 16 respectively.Noel McNamara’s selected side features several players whose older siblings have represented Ireland across a range of levels. St. Michael’s College pair Harry Byrne and David Ryan have seen their brothers line out for Ireland at Under-20 level.Harry’s brother Ross played at out-half during the 2014/15 season and has been regularly involved with the Leinster senior team this season, while David’s brother James captained the Ireland Under-20 side to the final of the World Rugby U-20 Championship in Manchester last summer.

Josh Wycherley is brother of current Ireland Under-20 second row Fineen, and Billy Scannell has two older brothers in Rory and Niall who have worn the green of Ireland.

Rory has represented Ireland at Under-20 level, won the Tbilisi Cup with Emerging Ireland in 2015 and was part of the Ireland senior squad this season, while hooker Niall won his first senior cap against Italy during the recent RBS 6 Nations Championship.

The Ireland U-18 Schools squad contains 12 players from Leinster schools, nine from Munster, four from Ulster and one from Connacht, and features Munster Schools Senior Cup winners Sean French, Jonathan Wren and Scannell from Presentation Brothers College, Cork.

UNDER-18 INTERNATIONAL SERIES FIXTURES: Ireland Under-18 Schools v Italy Under-18s, BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff, Saturday, April 8, 6pm Ireland Under-18 Schools v England Under-18s, Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli, Wednesday, April 12, 5.15pm Ireland Under-18 Schools v Wales Under-18s, CCB Centre of Sporting Excellence, Caerphilly, Sunday, April 16,. 4.15pm Ireland U-18 Schools Team Selected For England Game 11 April 2017 09:54 The Ireland Under-18 Schools team, sponsored by PwC, has been announced for their second match of the U-18 International Series against England at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli on Wednesday (kick-off 5.15pm).

Ireland will look to make it two wins out of two in the tourna-

ment, having emerged with a 39-23 victory over Italy in last Saturday’s opening round in Cardiff.

Head coach Noel McNamara has made seven personnel changes and one positional switch to the side that started against Italy.

Pres Cork’s Sean French, who touched down twice in the series opener, will be partnered at centre by Eoin Barr of Gonzaga College.

Blackrock’s Liam Turner moves to the right wing to accommodate the inclusion of Stewart Moore(Ballymena Academy) at full-back, with French’s school-mate Jonathan Wren starting on the left wing and Glenstal Abbey’s Ben Healy completing an all-Munster half-back pairing with captain Craig Casey.

There is another Munster combination in the front row where Josh Wycherley, whose brother Fineen was a regular for Ireland during the recent U-20 Six Nations, links up with hooker Billy Scannell - a try scorer against Italy - and tighthead Luke Masters.

The second row of Ryan Baird and Connacht’s Niall Murray is unchanged, while Knockbeg College’s Martin Moloney and Azur Allison of Ballymena Academy, who skippered the Ulster U-18 Schools team this season, will form a new-look back row with vice-captain Scott Penny.

The England Under-18s scored nine tries on their way to a 55-11 win over Canada U-19s last Saturday. Right winger Turner is the only player who was involved for Ireland in last year’s corresponding fixture - a tight 15-12 defeat at Bristol’s SGS College.

Three-Try Finish Sees Ireland U-18 Schools Team Overcome Italy 9 April 2017, 11:08 am :: Match Report By Editor The Ireland Under-18 Schools team, sponsored by PwC, produced a strong second half performance to run out 39-23 winners over Italy in their opening match of the U-18 International Series in Wales. Noel McNamara’s side made certain of the win with three tries in the final 14 minutes at BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park. Pres Cork duo Sean French and Billy Scannell both touched down before vice-captain Scott Penny closed out the scoring in the 68th minute. Centres French and David Ryan, brother of last year’s Ireland Under-20 captain James Ryan, combined for three tries on the day, with St. Michael’s youngster Ryan crossing in the 13th minute. Ireland were quick to respond to an initial Alberto Rossi three-pointer, as Harry Byrne’s cross-field kick was caught on the full by Ballymena Academy winger Angus Kernohan who passed inside to the supporting Niall Murray and he linked with Ryan to finish off a well-worked try which Byrne converted.

However, Italy displayed a clinical edge of their own when fullback Rossi converted tries from wingers Mattia Giovannini (2minutes) and Damiano Mazza (27), leaving Ireland with a 17-7

deficit to overcome. A superb late penalty from out-half Byrne made it a seven-point game at half-time.

Within seven minutes of the restart, Ireland had retaken the lead as French and St. Fintan’s winger Darragh Kelly both crossed the whitewash in impressive fashion, with Byrne converting the centre’s 38th-minute effort.

A good kick chase pressurised the Italian defence and the onrushing French gathered the ball over the line to touch down.

Kelly then took up the baton, collecting an openside kick from 40 metres out. He stepped inside the cover and although he was tackled just at the line, he reached out to finish off a classy try.

Although the Italians battled back with Rossi maintaining his 100% place-kicking record, landing successive penalties for a 23-22 scoreline, Ireland built for a terrific finish to what was an engrossing and typically hard-fought age-grade international.

French completed his brace in the 56th minute, Ireland building momentum in the Italian 22 before the try was produced after 11 phases. Hooker Scannell followed his school-mate over the whitewash just four minutes later, the pack setting up a lineout drive before a series of pick and goes had the desired result.

Those two tries went unconverted but Ireland sealed the deal with another spell of controlled multi-phase play from the forwards. Industrious flanker Penny broke through to score close to the posts with replacement Ben Healy adding the extras.

Driven on by captain Craig Casey, it was a real squad effort from McNamara’s charges, with some of the replacements having a notable impact and helping to turn the game in Ireland’s favour.

The competition for starting places is sure to increase in the coming days as Ireland prepare to tackle England in Llanelli on Wednesday and tournament hosts Wales in Caerphilly on Easter Sunday.

Reflecting on the six-try performance against Italy, Ireland U-18 Schools team manager John McKinneysaid: “It’s a game from which much can be learned. The boys responded very positively after the experiences gained from their first 35 minutes of international football and adapted effectively during the second half, especially in the last 20 minutes.”

Ireland U-18 Schools Squad Determined To End Series ‘On A High’ 13 April 2017 20:09 The Ireland Under-18 Schools coaches will have to wait until the weekend to decide on the fitness of a handful of players before they face host Wales in their final U-18 International Series fixture on Sunday.

But team manager John McKinney is hopeful that they will have a full squad to select from for the third game in the Easter tournament hosted by the Welsh Rugby Union. Wales have already beaten Scotland and Canada and came into the series on the

back of a win over England.

The biggest injury victims in Ireland’s 39-20 defeat to a highly physical England side at Parc y Scarlets last night were full-back Stewart Moore (Ballymena Academy/Ulster), lock Ryan Baird (St. Michael’s College/Leinster), flanker and vice-captain Scott Penny (St. Michael’s College/Leinster) and Azur Allison(Ballymena Academy/Ulster). They all had to be replaced with a variety of head knocks and cuts.

“It was a bruising encounter and the medical team is working hard to ensure the coaches have a full squad to select from. We want to end the tournament on a high and we also have a very important ‘capping’ ceremony coming up on Saturday,” explained McKinney.

“All the players have now been capped in the first two matches.

The game against England was competitive throughout, but being able to cope with that level of physicality is the next learning curve for this group of players.

Schoolboy rugby is different to Test match rugby at this level, there is no doubt about that. That is becoming more obvious, which is a bit sad really. These are schoolboys, they are all within that world, and we honour the schools system in Ireland as it is a system that has produced so many internationals.

“There was a lot to be pleased about with the performance against England and their last score put a bit of gloss on the scoreline for them. The whole idea of coming to Wales for this international series was for the players to learn.

“We are getting high level matches played at high speed and full of great intensity. Whilst the results do not really matter, there is still a lot of pride at stake,and as in any game between Ireland and England, it would have been great to get a win.

“The players learned a lot about the need for good game management. Running the ball all the time is fine, but that is where the biggest learning curve comes in. It was a sharp learning curve for all the players and by exposing them to this kind of playing environment, they can only benefit from the overall experience.”

First Starts For Ireland Under-18 Schools Quartet 15 April 2017 07:49 Four players will make their first starts of the tournament when the Ireland Under-18 Schools team close out the U-18 International Series against hosts Wales in Caerphilly on Sunday (kickoff 4.15pm).

St. Gerard’s scrum half Cormac Foley and forwards John McKee (Campbell College), Thomas Clarkson(Blackrock College) and Cian Hurley (CBC Cork) have been handed their first starts by head coach Noel McNamara, who has made nine personnel changes to the side that lost 39-20 to England in midweek.

There are all-Leinster partnerships at half-back and centre

respectively as Foley pairs up with the returning Harry Byrne and Gonzaga’s Eoin Barr will have David Ryan outside him in midfield. Darragh Kelly and Angus Kernohan, who were the starting wingers in the win over Italy, will form a new back-three with Ballymena Academy full-back Stewart Moore.

Hooker Billy Scannell of PBC Cork, St. Aloysius lock Niall Murray and flanker Scott Penny from St. Michael’s are retained as the only Irish players to be ever-present throughout the tournament.

Penny will captain the side with Craig Casey on the bench.

Three provinces are represented in the front row as McKee and Clarkson, who both turned 17 in February, join forces with Scannell. CBC Cork’s Hurley, whose 17th birthday is still 10 days’ away, is picked in the engine room with Murray, and Dan O’Donovan returns for the sidelined Azur Allison at number 8.

Ireland U-18 Schools Side End Series With Stunning Caerphilly Comeback 16 April 2017, 07:24 pm :: Match Report By Editor A three-try second half surge set up a famous 38-36 win over previously unbeaten Wales as the Ireland Under-18 Schools team ended the U-18 International Series in the Principality on a high.

Hitting top form on the 4G pitch at Ystrad Mynach, Ireland clawed their way back from a 19-point deficit in a game that eventually ended up five tries apiece after both teams showed off their full array of attacking talents.

Head coach Noel McNamara made nine changes to the side that had been beaten 39-20 by England four days earlier in Llanelli and handed first starts to St. Gerard’s scrum half Cormac Foley and forwards John McKee (Campbell College), Thomas Clarkson (Blackrock College) and Cian Hurley (CBC Cork).

Ireland got off to a dream start when Harry Byrne landed a fourth-minute penalty to give the visitors an early lead, but they were rocked a few minutes later when a loose ball just inside their half was picked up by Wales number 8 Taine Basham who then proceeded to sprint 40 metres to the line.

That try was converted by out-half Cai Evans, son of Welsh rugby legend Ieuan Evans, and he then added a penalty to stretch the lead. Winger Tomi Lewis then made the running for a second Welsh try for scrum half Harri Morgan and another Evans conversion had Ireland 17-3 adrift after half-an-hour.

It took McNamara’s youngsters time to get to the pace of the game on the artificial surface, but once they found their feet they came more and more into the contest. Ballymena Academy’s Angus Kernohanstruck first after 32 minutes with a try in the corner after some hard graft and yards made by captain Scott Penny and his pack. Number 10 Byrne nailed an excellent conversion.

But Wales were in full flow and created the try of the match for

centre Tom Hoppe on the stroke of half-time to make it three tries to one. Evans converted and Wales were 14 points ahead once again at the interval - 24-10.

The first score in the second period was always going to be vital and some wonderful footwork from replacement Craig Casey set up flanker Penny for a try two minutes after the restart. Byrne added the extras and it was game on again.

Wales reacted immediately through full-back James McCarthy, who crossed the Irish line twice in the space of four minutes to hoist the hosts into a 36-17 lead. It was time for the Irish side to stand tall and they did just that, not only to hit back with three tries, but also to stop Wales from adding to their five-try tally.

The Irish pack had an edge at scrum time and were efficient and effective at the lineout. The back row of Penny, Martin Moloney and Dan O’Donovan also made life increasingly difficult for the Welsh with their tireless work at the breakdown and their constant hunger to carry the ball.

The great fightback was started by replacement Liam Turner from Blackrock in the 52nd minute. He jumped to catch a pinpoint cross-field kick from Byrne and then race to the line for a try that his out-half converted. Then it was the hard-working Irish pack that took over to add the killer touch.

A five-metre lineout was caught and then driven on to create enough panic in the home defensive system for Gonzaga College centre Eoin Barr to squeeze his way over from close range. Byrne’s conversion cut the gap to five points (36-31) with little over 10 minutes remaining.

There was now visible panic in the home ranks - Wales had beaten England in a game before the tournament started and then posted comfortable wins over Scotland and Canada before they met Ireland - and all the momentum was with McNamara’s fired-up charges. They needed to keep it going and they completed their remarkable comeback with a try from industrious front rower McKee. That levelled the scores at 36-all before Byrne stepped up to tag on the conversion to complete his 13-point haul and edge Ireland in front for the first time after 63 minutes. Now it was a case of holding out for the win.

It seemed as though everything was going to plan until Wales won a penalty midway between the Irish 10-metre line and halfway. Up stepped Ioan Davies to shoot for glory, but his kick went wide and Ireland could celebrate a thrilling victory.

The result saw the Ireland U-18 Schools squad finish the weeklong U-18 International Series in Wales with two wins out of three, and follow up on their U-18 Clubs & Schools compatriots’ double over England in Ashbourne.

Ireland U18s Schools Azur Allison, Ryan Baird , Eoin Barr, Harry Byrne, Craig Casey (capt), Thomas Clarkson, Fintan Coleman , Cormac Foley, Sean French , Ben Healy , Cian Hurley Darragh Kelly, Angus Kernohan, Luke Masters, Niall McEniff, John McKee , Martin Moloney, Stewart Moore, Niall Murray, Dan O’Donovan, Scott Penny (vice-capt) David Ryan, Billy Scannell, Liam Turner , Jonathan Wren , Josh Wycherley gpfoto my photos, your story gerry@gpfoto.ie +353 (087) 2424123 © All rights reserved