A 26 player Ireland schools squad, sponsored by PwC, has been announced to participate in the FIRA\/AER U-18 European Championships which take place in Grenoble, France from March 22nd – 30th.<\/p>\n
The Ireland U-18 sides that have competed in the tournament over the last number of years have a proud record in the competition, being finalists over the previous three seasons in 2010, 2011 and 2012. <\/p>\n
The 2011 side were crowned as European champions for the first time after beating England in the final and included current professional players Stuart Olding and recent O2 Ireland Wolfhounds representative Robbie Henshaw.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s squad is dominated by players from the top teams who reached the latter stages of their provincial schools cup competitions. Ulster champions Methodist College Belfast and Leinster winners Blackrock College supply eight players to the squad, with Leinster schools showing 20 players in total.<\/p>\n
Ireland will take on Georgia in the opening game on Friday, 22nd March at 7.00pm. <\/p>\n
Ireland U-18 Schools Squad to compete in the FIRA\/AER Justin Bridou U-18 European Championship: Backs (12): Management: Opening Ireland match:
\nForwards (14):
\nOisin Heffernan (CC Roscrea)
\nMichael Lagan (Methodist College)<\/strong>
\nSean McNulty (Rockwell College)
\nAndrew Roche (Terenure College)
\nOliver Jager (Blackrock College)
\nJeremy Loughman (Blackrock College)
\nDavid O\u2019Connor(Blackrock College)
\nAlexander Thompson (Methodist College)<\/strong>
\nJames Ryan (St.Michael\u2019s College)
\nJoshua Murphy (St. Michaels College)
\nRory Moloney (CC Roscrea)
\nPatrick Thornton (Terenure College)
\nNick Timoney (Blackrock College)
\nJames Gallagher (Methodist College)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nNick McCarthy (St. Michaels College)
\nCharlie Rock (Blackrock College)
\nRoss Byrne (St.Michaels College)
\nCiaran Gaffney (CC Roscrea)
\nMatthew Gilsenan (St.Michaels College)
\nGreg O\u2019Shea (Crescent Comprehensive)
\nFergal Cleary (Clongowes Wood College)
\nHarrison Brewer (Terenure College)
\nMichael Courtney (CBC Monkstown)
\nCormac Brennan (CC Roscrea)
\nBilly Dardis (Terenure College)
\nJack Owens (Campbell College)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nCoach – Noel McNamara
\nManager – John McKinney
\nBacks Coach – Mark Butler
\nForwards Coach – Brian Robinson
\nBaggage master – John Moran
\nDoctor – Prof. John Ryan
\nVideo Analyst – Brett Igoe
\nPhysiotherapist – David Lyons
\nStrength & Conditioning Coach – Chris Shields<\/p>\n
\nFriday, 22nd March, K.O. 19.00hrs (local)
\nIreland v Georgia
\nMatch venue Name: Moirans (approx. 20kms from Grenoble town centre) <\/p>\n