Leinster Academy 2021-22

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Schools won 45-12.

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Ex-sub academy hooker Ronan Loughnane(Birr RFC/Roscrea) training with Munster, played in their warmup game today off the bench.

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Reading elsewhere the club side were comfortably better than ulster, with Sheridan(13) being a standout.

The 19's were pretty even until subs started making a difference, Prendergast(10) stood out for Leinster.

The schools side seemed to blow the ulster side in the backs with Moloney(15) being the best player on the field.

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Leinster U-18 Clubs: Tries: Charlie Sheridan, Oisin Lynch, Senan Phelan, Tom Larke; Cons: Tom Larke 3, Senan Phelan

With two victories each across the first two rounds, it was a winner-takes-all affair in Belfast where Daryl Maxwell’s Ulster outfit were looking to make the most of home advantage.

Despite an early Ben Gibson penalty, the hosts were 14-3 down at half-time following tries from Leinster’s Charlie Sheridan (11 minutes) and Oisin Lynch (17).

Nathan Hook touched down for Ulster, 15 minutes into the second half, but Leinster finished the stronger with Senan Phelan and Tom Larke taking their team’s try haul to four.

In a typically frenetic start, Ulster’s James Girvan got over the ball at the breakdown to win a penalty. From a tough position on the right wing, Gibson split the posts for a fourth-minute lead.

Leinster began to make headway through their elusive full-back David Donohue and big carriers up front, yet another turnover penalty – won by Malone’s Sam Green – allowed Ulster to kick clear.

Nonetheless, from the resulting 11th-minute lineout, a Gibson pass was intercepted on the Leinster 10-metre line by Sheridan, and the Naas centre nimbly shrugged off Girvan and accelerated clear of Gibson’s despairing tackle for an excellent individual try, converted by Larke.

Midway through the first half, a slashing break by Sheridan took Leinster deep into the hosts’ 22. The forwards took over, rumbling up close before Boyne prop Lynch burrowed over for Phelan to convert.

Oliver Smyth’s quick tap penalty soon got Ulster over the gain-line, with hard-working flanker Jamie Jackson also making good yardage.

Just when they looked poised to strike, Green was bundled into touch and, on the opposite wing, Nathan Ogborne was denied by a try-saving tackle from Andrew Doyle.

Into the second half, Ulster continued to edge the breakdown battle with a well-positioned Green earning a penalty. Yet, an error-strewn spell prevented both sides from building for a score.

The silky Sheridan made 30 metres on another eye-catching burst, before scrum half Doyle was held up over the line. Ulster stormed back with some nice interplay between James McKillop and Mark Lee, who gobbled up 25 metres between them.

Their hard work laid the platform for Hook to slam the ball down by the left corner flag, closing the gap to 14-8. Joseph O’Rawe and Green had worked the ball wide for the Dromore winger to crash over past two defenders.

After replacement O’Hawe’s conversion attempt drifted wide, it was nip and tuck until St. Mary’s centre Phelan, fed from a scrum, sliced in under the posts on a slick sidestepping run with Ulster guilty of two missed tackles.

Larke converted and it was his quickly-taken lineout, barely five minutes later, which saw replacement Sean Tipper’s return pass put the Old Wesley out-half over in the left corner for the clinching try.

Ulster switched off following two individual errors and paid the price as Joe Carbery’s charges clinically sealed their third straight triumph. Larke swung over a terrific touchline conversion for good measure.

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U19's:

Prop
George Hadden (Gorey RFC)- 2 starts(1), 1 sub
Ronan Foxe (Tullamore RFC) - 2 start(3), 1 sub
Patrick McCarthy (Blackrock College) - 1 start(3), 2 sub
Adam Duffy (Dundalk RFC) - 1 start(1), 1 sub
Gerhard Zdunek (Temple Carrig School) - 1 sub
George Morris (Gonzaga College)
Dan Barron (St Michael’s College)

Hooker
Gus McCarthy (Blackrock College) - 2 start, 1 sub - 1 try
Tom Barry (Gonzaga College) - 1 start, 2 sub
Zach Baird (St Michael’s College)
Cal Marrey (Belvedere College)

Lock
Diarmiud Mangan (Newbridge College) - 3 starts(2@5, 1@6) - 3 tries
Daniel Leane (St Mary’s College) - 3 starts(2@4, 1@6)
Jim Peters (Portlaoise RFC) - 2 start - 1 try
James Doyle (Enniscorthy RFC) - 3 subs - 1 try
David Woods (St Michael’s College)

Backrow
Matthew Victory (St Michael’s College) - 3 starts(8)
Dan Carroll (St Michael’s College) - 2 start(6/7), 1 sub
Liam Molony (Blackrock College) - 2 starts(7)
Joshua O’Hare (Dundalk RFC/Lansdowne FC) - 2 sub
Luke Brady (Castleknock College)
Ciaran Bolger (Suttonians RFC)

Scrumhalf
Fintan Gunne (St Michael’s College) - 2 start, 1 sub - 1 try
Oscar Cawley (Naas RFC) - 1 start, 2 sub
Conor Tracey (St Mary’s College)
Culann Carbery (Athy RFC)

Outhalf
Sam Prendergast (Newbridge College) - 3 starts(10) - 1 try
Matthew Lynch (Terenure College) - 2 sub
Zach Quirke (Blackrock College)

Outside Backs
Hugh Cooney (Blackrock College) - 3 starts(13) - 1 try
Noah Sheridan (Wicklow RFC) - 2 start(14/15)
David Dooley (Tullamore RFC/MU Barnhall RFC) - 2 start(12)
Ethan Laing (Blackrock College) - 2 starts(11)
Jed Tormey (Belvedere College) - 1 start(11), 1 sub
Daragh Gilbourne (St Mary’s College) - 1 start(12), 2 sub
Andrew Osborne (Naas RFC) - 1 start(15)
James Nicholson (St Michael’s College) - 1 start(14) - 1 try
Henry McErlean (St Michael’s College) - 1 start(15)
Luka Hassett (St Michael’s College) - 1 start(14)
Daniel Magner (Belvedere College)
Hugh Wilkinson (Clongowes Wood College)
Lucas Berti-Newman (Newbridge College)

appearances for 19's and tries.

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The Leinster Rugby U-18 Clubs coaching team have announced their final squad ahead of the Interprovincial Series.

Their first interprovincial fixture takes place on Saturday, 21 August, in the National Sports Campus, with the second round set for Saturday, 28 August, and the third round to kick-off on Saturday, 4 September.

Congratulations to all the players taking part and best of luck to those selected to participate and represent their clubs at provincial level.

Leinster Rugby U-18 Clubs Squad:

Prop
Adam Daey (Tullow RFC) - 3 starts(3) - 1 try
Oisin Lynch (Boyne RFC) - 3 starts(1) - 3 tries
Keith Farrell (MU Barnhall RFC) - 3 sub - 1 try
Jamie Rafferty (Dundalk RFC) - 3 sub
Dylan O’Keefe (Newbridge RFC)
Scott O’Keefe (Newbridge RFC)

Hooker
Niall O’Hanlon (Athy RFC) - 3 starts(2)
Liam Nicholson (Wicklow RFC) - 2 sub
Sean Tipper (Naas RFC) - 1 sub

Lock
James O’Loughlin (Naas RFC) - 3 starts(4)
Eoin Clarke (Cill Dara RFC) - 3 starts(2@5, 1@6)
Luke O’Connor (Wexford Wanderers RFC) - 1 start(5)
Darragh Matthews (Clontarf FC) - 1 sub
Ciaran Crowley (Tullamore RFC)

Backrow
Grant Palmer (Wexford Wanderers RFC) - 3 starts(8)
Donagh McCarrick (Coolmine RFC) - 3 starts(7)
Niki Moelders (Wicklow RFC) - 2 start(6)
Anrai Poole (Suttonians RFC) - 3 sub
Sean Wheelan (New Ross RFC) - 2 sub

Scrumhalf
Andrew Doyle (Athy RFC) - 3 starts(9)
Jack Nolan (Lansdowne FC) - 3 sub
Dylan Kelly (Portlaoise RFC)

Outhalf
Tom Larke (Old Wesley RFC) - 2 starts(10), 1 sub - 1 try
Ethan Travers (Naas RFC) - 1 start(10), 1 sub

Outside Back
Senan Phelan (St Marys RFC) - 3 starts(12) - 1 try
Charlie Sheridan (Naas RFC) - 3 starts(13) - 2 tries
David Donohue (Lansdowne FC) - 3 starts(15) - 1 try
Jack Sheirdan (Naas RFC) - 2 start(11)
Aidan Henry (Athy RFC) - 2 start(14)
Tom Hodgekinson (Wicklow RFC) - 1 start(11), 1 sub
Paidi Farrell (Tullamore RFC) - 2 sub

u18 club appearances and tries.

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Leinster U-19s: Tries: Diarmuid Mangan, James Doyle, Fintan Gunne; Cons: Sam Prendergast 2; Pen: Sam Prendergast

Andy Wood’s charges had to overcome a stiff challenge from the hosts in order to become 2021 champions. Ross McKay kicked Ulster into an early second half lead (10-8).

However, captain Prendergast converted quick-fire tries from replacement James Doyle and Gunne to give Leinster a decisive buffer.

Prendergast took his tally for the tournament to 25 points, while his Newbridge College compatriot, lock Diarmuid Mangan, crossed in the fifth minute for his third try in as many games.

Leinster exerted the early pressure, Matthew Victory and George Hadden profiting from a counter-ruck to drive up close before Mangan grounded under the watchful eye of referee Dan Carson.

After Prendergast pulled his conversion wide from the right, there were some scrappy phases until scrum half James Wright’s snappy break brought Ulster up to the opposition 22.

Handling errors prevented both sides from getting into scoring range, but the Ulster forwards clicked in the 26th minute to tee up tighthead Boal’s close range effort, converted by McKay.

A superb lineout maul saw the hosts tear through into the Leinster 22, number 8 Michael Crothers carrying well before centre Ross Taylor did likewise. Andrew Donald then drove within a metre of the line, the quick recycle putting fellow front rower Boal over past David Dooley.

McKay converted, nudging his kick inside the left hand post, but his opposite number Prendergast’s penalty rewarded a late Leinster purple patch as they squeezed into an 8-7 interval lead.

McKay hit back with a brilliant penalty from distance early on the resumption, as good work by the number 10 in gathering his own chip kick, and a strong run by flanker Matthew French, had set the tone for Ulster.

Prendergast hit the post with a penalty in response, but Leinster soon prospered from a loose Ulster lineout. Gus McCarthy scooped up possession at the rear, raided into the 22 and offloaded for pacy replacement lock Doyle to finish off to the right of the posts.

Prendergast converted and also added the extras to Gunne’s try of the game. It was an outstanding solo score from the St. Michael’s College scrum half, who used quick scrum ball on the Leinster 10-metre line to flash through a gap, burn off the chasers, including winger James Campbell, and dart in behind the posts.

Suddenly, the gap was out to twelve points (22-10) and Ulster had it all to do. Arthur Johnson, their replacement scrum half, lifted his team-mates with a perfectly-placed touchfinder into the right corner and then a sniping break.

Ulster kept chipping away in the dying minutes, and following a Leinster yellow card for Patrick McCarthy collapsing a maul, Angus Robson fed winger Rory Telfer for a muscular finish past two defenders.

McKay’s missed conversion was the final kick of this close and entertaining contest, with unbeaten Leinster finishing top of the table and Ulster now hoping to finish on a winning note in their rescheduled clash with Munster.

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Leinster U-18s: Tries: Hugo McLaughlin, Reuben Moloney, Inigo Cruise O’Brien, Jules Fenelon(2), Alex Mullan, Tadhg Brophy; Cons: Jack Murphy(5 of 7)

The final game of the busy afternoon featured the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team against the Leinster Schools’ team in a game that would go a long way in deciding the outcome of the PWC U18 IRFU Schools’ Inter-Provincial title.

Once again it was the Leinster team which came out on top-this time winning the game by 45-12.

The Leinster team dominated the first half when they ran in office first half tries to take a 31-0 lead into the break.

Hugo McLaughlin, Reuben Moloney and Inigo Cruise O’Brien each touched down for one try while the impressive Jukes Fenelon scored twice. Three of the tries were converted by Jack Murphy.

The Danske Bank Ulster U18 Schools’ team started the second half strongly but got little change out of a very determined Leinster Schools’ defence.

Midway through the second period of play the Leinster Schools’ team increased their lead to 38-0 when Alex Mullan touched down for a try which Jack Murphy converted.

Now it was the turn of the Danske Bank Ulster U18 Schools’ team to get onto the scoreboard and they did so twice with Lucas Kenny running in for two quick tries. Tristan Ferguson added the extras to one of these tries to reduce the Ulster deficit to 12-38.

However, with the final play of the game Tadgh Brophy scored a Leinster Schools’ try, which Jack Murphy converted to secure the 45-12 victory for the Leinster Schools’ team.

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Would have to presume Lucas Berti and Zach Baird are injured if they haven't featured in any of the 19s games

LBN was in Bath at the weekend along with his brother.

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Schools photos: https://dicksondigital.photoshelter.com ... a6dIhVkgA/

Clubs photos: https://dicksondigital.photoshelter.com ... rNXm5ohlk/

U19 photos: https://dicksondigital.photoshelter.com ... Dez7tyr1w/

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Leinster 19's highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RC6SY8 ... ishRugbyTV

U18 clubs highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjjHkua ... ishRugbyTV

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ULSTER U-18 SCHOOLS 12 LEINSTER U-18 SCHOOLS 45, Newforge, Belfast
Scorers: Ulster U-18 Schools: Tries: Lukas Kenny 2; Con: Ben McFarlane
Leinster U-18 Schools: Tries: Hugo McLaughlin, Ruben Moloney, Lucas Maguire, Jules Fenelon 2, David Colbert, Tadhg Brophy; Cons: Jack Murphy 5
HT: Ulster U-18 Schools 0 Leinster U-18 Schools 31

Following the recent postponement of their clash with Munster, Leinster were eager to get going and ran in five tries – including two from impressive winger Jules Fenelon – to lead 31-0 at half-time.

A Lukas Kenny brace saw Ulster rally at 38-12, but Leinster replacement Tadhg Brophy touched down in the final play to seal a 33-point winning margin.

Coached by Jonathan Gillespie, the Ulster Schools brought momentum into this game following last week’s three-try 22-15 victory over Munster at the IRFU High Performance Centre.

Back on home soil, they struggled for territory early on and Leinster struck in the sixth minute, a free-flowing back-line move seeing Fenelon put fellow winger Hugo McLaughlin over in the left corner.

Pres Bray’s Jack Murphy missed the difficult conversion, but it was a strong start from Leinster who had captain Stephen Smith to thank for winning the initial turnover penalty which set up the attack.

Out-half Murphy showed some nice touches, including a 50:22 kick, and it was his inside pass which sent Fenelon scurrying through from 30 metres out. Supporting full-back Ruben Moloney finished off behind the posts.

Murphy made it 12-0 with the conversion, and just when Ulster looking to be building a decent platform, the Andy Skehan-coached visitors struck again.

Midway through the first half, busy hooker Zac Solomon broke menacingly from an Ulster maul, combining with fellow front rower Jacob Boyd to bring the Leinster 22 within reach.

However, Tom Crowther’s attempted kick through failed to come off – under pressure from Murphy – and Inigo Cruise O’Brien scooped up the ball to embark on a surging 70-metre break downfield.

Ulster full-back Conor Drain did brilliantly to race back and haul him down just short of the line, but Luke Kritzinger’s quick clearout gave incoming hooker Lucas Maguire the opportunity to dive over near the posts. Murphy converted from close range.

Solomon led Ulster’s response, breaking down the left touchline from a deft Drain offload, only for a subsequent Harry Hughes knock-on to add to the home side’s growing frustration.

A solid set-piece platform allowed Leinster to dictate approaching the interval. Numbers on the right saw Kritzinger send Fenelon over in the right corner for an unconverted bonus point effort.

Fenelon squeezed in his second score in the dying seconds, slipping past a tackle near the right touchline. Murphy was bang on target with a terrific conversion from out wide.

Ulster enjoyed better territory on the restart, helped by Josh Stevens’ hard graft at the breakdown and some further Leinster indiscipline. They missed out on a try when centre Matthew Booth was held up.

Despite Leinster tighthead Andrew Sparrow being sin-binned for a high tackle on Joe Hopes, Ulster leaked seven more points.

From his own kick through, replacement David Colbert followed up to score for the visitors after Hughes had taken the ball over his own line.

Into the final 10 minutes, replacement Kenny sparked an Ulster resurgence by sidestepping through for an unconverted try. The Campbell College back added an even better second score, shrugging off three would-be tacklers on his way to the line.

The home pack did the donkey work, earning a penalty advantage from a lineout drive in the Leinster 22, and fellow replacement Ben McFarlane converted from close in.

Nonetheless, it was Leinster who had the final say, Newbridge College’s Brophy snapping up a loose pass from Tristan Ferguson to dash in by the posts. Murphy tagged on his fifth successful conversion.

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it's unclear to me at the minute if the leinster munster schools interpro is happening this weekend.

Also unclear at the minute when the u20's/A interprovincials will start.

[LeinsterLeader]

This is interesting. Might unearth some gems

"Simon Broughton has announced a Leinster Rugby Development XV to face Ulster Rugby in an interprovincial game to be held tomorrow in the IRFU High Performance Centre in Abbotstown.

The game is part of a series of games being played in Abbotstown behind closed doors over the coming weeks to help players who have missed out on so much club and representative rugby over the last 18 months.

It’s a youthful squad but there are a number of players in Broughton’s match day squad from the Leinster Academy and a sprinkling of Energia All-Ireland League experience as well.

His starting XV includes Marcus Hanan, who has been capped by Leo Cullen in the United Rugby Championship (formerly the PRO14), and John McKee who captains the squad.

To team news, former Belvedere College player Dylan O’Grady starts at full back, with Fionn Gibbons on the right wing and Aitzol Arenzana-King on the left.

Gibbons played in the centre for Castleknock College and lit up the Senior Cup matches in 2020 with a number of superb performances for his school, while Balbriggan club man Arenzana-King played for CUS in the Vinnie Murray Cup.

In the centre former Blackrock College student Ben Brownlee lines up alongside Mullingar RFC man Conor Gibney who played in the Shane Horgan Cup with the Midlands team in 2019 and represented the Leinster Rugby U19s last season.

Former Castleknock College scrumhalf Conor Duggan wears the number nine jersey with Kilkenny College’s Charlie Tector outside him at ten.

Hanan and McKee are joined in the front row by Michael McCormack, the St. Mary’s College RFC prop.

Paul Deeny – younger brother of Brian – starts in the second row, with the Wexford Wanderers man joined by St Michael’s College’ Conor Ó Tighearnaigh.

Finally in the back row Portlaoise RFC man Fionn McWey is joined on the flanks by Luke Callinan with Donough Lawlor completing the starting XV.

Leinster Rugby Development XV vs. Ulster Rugby Development XV"

15. Dylan O’Grady
14. Fionn Gibbons
13. Conor Gibney
12. Ben Brownlee
11. Aitzol Arenzana-King
10. Charlie Tector
9. Conor Duggan
1. Marcus Hanan
2. John McKee CAPTAIN
3. Michael McCormack
4. Paul Deeny
5. Conor Ó Tighearnaigh
6. Fionn McWey
7. Luke Callinan
8. Donough Lawlor

Replacements

16. Howard Noonan
17. Ben Popplewell
18. Thomas Connolly
19. Ruairí Clarke
20. Dylan Ryan
21. Seanan Devereux
22. Fionn O’Hara
23. Callam O’Reilly

https://t.co/FdsLBXfEis?amp=1

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This is interesting. Might unearth some gems

"Simon Broughton has announced a Leinster Rugby Development XV to face Ulster Rugby in an interprovincial game to be held tomorrow in the IRFU High Performance Centre in Abbotstown.

The game is part of a series of games being played in Abbotstown behind closed doors over the coming weeks to help players who have missed out on so much club and representative rugby over the last 18 months.

It’s a youthful squad but there are a number of players in Broughton’s match day squad from the Leinster Academy and a sprinkling of Energia All-Ireland League experience as well.

His starting XV includes Marcus Hanan, who has been capped by Leo Cullen in the United Rugby Championship (formerly the PRO14), and John McKee who captains the squad.

To team news, former Belvedere College player Dylan O’Grady starts at full back, with Fionn Gibbons on the right wing and Aitzol Arenzana-King on the left.

Gibbons played in the centre for Castleknock College and lit up the Senior Cup matches in 2020 with a number of superb performances for his school, while Balbriggan club man Arenzana-King played for CUS in the Vinnie Murray Cup.

In the centre former Blackrock College student Ben Brownlee lines up alongside Mullingar RFC man Conor Gibney who played in the Shane Horgan Cup with the Midlands team in 2019 and represented the Leinster Rugby U19s last season.

Former Castleknock College scrumhalf Conor Duggan wears the number nine jersey with Kilkenny College’s Charlie Tector outside him at ten.

Hanan and McKee are joined in the front row by Michael McCormack, the St. Mary’s College RFC prop.

Paul Deeny – younger brother of Brian – starts in the second row, with the Wexford Wanderers man joined by St Michael’s College’ Conor Ó Tighearnaigh.

Finally in the back row Portlaoise RFC man Fionn McWey is joined on the flanks by Luke Callinan with Donough Lawlor completing the starting XV.

Leinster Rugby Development XV vs. Ulster Rugby Development XV"

15. Dylan O’Grady
14. Fionn Gibbons
13. Conor Gibney
12. Ben Brownlee
11. Aitzol Arenzana-King
10. Charlie Tector
9. Conor Duggan
1. Marcus Hanan
2. John McKee CAPTAIN
3. Michael McCormack
4. Paul Deeny
5. Conor Ó Tighearnaigh
6. Fionn McWey
7. Luke Callinan
8. Donough Lawlor

Replacements

16. Howard Noonan
17. Ben Popplewell
18. Thomas Connolly
19. Ruairí Clarke
20. Dylan Ryan
21. Seanan Devereux
22. Fionn O’Hara
23. Callam O’Reilly

https://t.co/FdsLBXfEis?amp=1

15. Dylan O’Grady(u20/Belvedere)
14. Fionn Gibbons(u20/Castleknock)
13. Conor Gibney(u20/Mullingar RFC)
12. Ben Brownlee(u20/Blackrock)
11. Aitzol Arenzana-King(u20/Balbriggan RFC)
10. Charlie Tector(u20/Kilkenny)
9. Conor Duggan(u20/Caslteknock)
1. Marcus Hanan
2. John McKee CAPTAIN
3. Michael McCormack
4. Paul Deeny(u20/Wexford RFC)
5. Conor Ó Tighearnaigh(u20/St.Michaels)
6. Fionn McWey(u20/Portlaoise RFC-Roscrea)
7. Luke Callinan(u20/Castlknock)
8. Donough Lawlor(u20/Newbridge)

Replacements

16. Howard Noonan(u20/Temple Carrig)
17. Ben Popplewell(u20/Wexford RFC)
18. Thomas Connolly
19. Ruairí Clarke(u20/Cill Dara RFC)
20. Dylan Ryan(u20/St. Michaels)
21. Seanan Devereux(u20/St. Marys)
22. Fionn O’Hara(u20/Mullingar RFC)
23. Callam O’Reilly(u20/St. Michaels)

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FT

Leinster Development XV 27
Ulster Development XV 34

Tries from Aitzol King(x2) and Mick McCormack

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FT

Leinster U18 schools 34
Munster U18 schools 15

15. Ruben Moloney (Blackrock College)
14. Jules Fenelon (St Michael’s College)
13. Sam Berman (St Michael’s College)
12. Luke Kritzinger (Blackrock College)
11. Hugo McLaughlin (Gonzaga Collage)
10. Jack Murphy (Presentation School Bray)
9. Oliver Coffey (Blackrock College)

1. Tom Stewart (St Michael’s College)
2. Lucas Maguire (Catholic University School)
3. Andrew Sparrow (St Mary’s College)
4. Michael Colreavy (Blackrock College)
5. Alex Mullan (Blackrock College)
6. Stephen Smith (Kilkenny College) CAPTAIN
7. Ingo Cruise-O’Brien (Blackrock College)
8. Richard Whelan (Cistercian College Roscrea)

Replacements:
16. Flynn Pyper (Presentation School Bray)
17. Karl Brennan (Belvedere College)
18. Ben Howard (St Michael’s College)
19. Alan Spicer (Belvedere College)
20. Tom Brigg (Blackrock College)
21. Tadgh Brophy (Newbridge College)
22. Davy Colbert (Gonzaga College)
23. Wilhelm de Klerk (St Michael’s College)

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Scorers – Leinster U-18 Schools: Tries: L Kritzinger, S Smith, T Stewart, R Whelan. Cons: J Murphy (4). Pens: J Murphy (2).

LEINSTER U-18 SCHOOLS – Ruben Moloney (Blackrock College); Jules Fenelon (St Michael’s College), Sam Berman (St Michael’s College), Luke Kritzinger (Blackrock College), Hugo McLaughlin (Gonzaga College); Jack Murphy (Presentation College Bray), Oliver Coffey (Blackrock College); Tom Stewart (St Michael’s College), Lucas Maguire (CUS), Andrew Sparrow (St Mary’s College); Michael Colreavy (Blackrock College), Alex Mullan (Blackrock College); Stephen Smith (Kilkenny College), Inigo Cruise-O’Brien (Blackrock College), Richard Whelan (Cistercian College, Roscrea).

Replacements – Davy Colbert (Gonzaga College) for Fenelon (22), Flynn Pyper (Presentation College, Bray) for Maguire (45), Alan Spicer (Belvedere College) for Mullan (50), Tom Brigg (Blackrock College) for Cruise-O’Brien (50), Wilhelm de Klerk (St Michael’s College) for Kritzinger (65), Karl Brennan (Belvedere College) for Stewart (65), Tadgh Brophy (Newbridge College) for Coffey (65), Ben Howard (St Michael’s College) for Sparrow (65).

The Leinster Rugby U-18 Schools had to overcome a bad start to claim the Interprovincial title at the expense of Munster at MU Barnhall RFC on Sunday.

The boys in red were able to get off to a good start when the battle for field position, their forwards revelling in the role of the underdogs.

The front row of Rory Doody, Danny Sheahan and Harry Foster and locks Jak Somers and Evan O’Connell went about their business in workmanlike fashion, Sheehan barreling over for out-half Benjamin Lynch to convert in the second minute.

They had the cohesion to keep Leinster locked up inside their own half and Lynch arrowed over a penalty to make it 10-0 in the ninth minute.

The greasy surface placed extra pressure on the pass-catch execution and Munster’s defence was able to shut down the Blues.

Gradually, Leinster’s forwards worked their way into the game, captain Stephen Smith and prop Andrew Sparrow leading the way.

The X-factor of the back division suddenly flashed to the fore from a two-side attack, punching up the left and coming back right for centre Luke Kritzinger to split the Munster defence, Jack Murphy landing the conversion in the 23rd minute.

Leinster looked the more likely without putting it all together. That changed utterly in the second period, starting with a refusal to take two kickable penalties.

Instead, they backed their big runners to crack open Munster, Smith landing the try and Jack Murphy the conversion for 14-10 in the 40th minute.

This didn’t rattle the Munstermen, out-half Lynch kicking cleverly in behind to create confusion which led to a penalty, Lynch unable to convert from 30 metres out.

Still, they were in the right area of the field and second-row Somers was the unlikely source of a subtle kick through which Sean Long grounded for a one-point lead in the 45th minute.

From there, however, Leinster took control, out-half Murphy slotting a penalty for the lead again in the 50th minute when Munster drifted up offside.

Midway through the half, prop Tom Stewart showed impressive leg drive to benefit from a low body angle in splashing down for another Murphy conversion for 24-15.

The momentum was with Leinster, Murphy shooting a penalty and then a real team-effort, involving full-back Ruben Moloney and centre Sam Berman, ended with No 8 Richard Whelan plunging for the line for Murphy to convert.

“It is difficult to know what you have and what you are up against with Covid. It feels like the backline is, maybe, the best I have had as Leinster Schools coach,” said Andy Skehan, in his fourth time in the role.

“There are replacements and replacements for the replacements which you wouldn’t have in a general year. There are players outside the 23 who would start in other years.”

For all of that, Leinster were made to struggle by a well-drilled, typically aggressive Munster challenge.

“The players got involved in the trenches and they came out on the right side of that, eventually,” added Skehan.

“It is a reward for their hard work and how they coped with all the interruptions and problems put in front of them this year and for the last two years.”

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only highlight so far of the highly rated schools side: https://twitter.com/brettruganalyst/sta ... 87904?s=20

[mildlyinterested]

Leinster Rugby U-18 Clubs 24 Connacht 17
Tries: Adam Deay, Oisin Lynch, David Donohue

15. David Donohue (Lansdowne)
14. Aidan Henry (Athy)
13. Charlie Sheridan (Naas)
13. Senan Phelan (St Mary’s College)
11. Jack Sheridan (Naas) / Tom Hodgkinson (Wicklow) 40 mins
10. Tom Larke (Old Wesley)
9. Andrew Doyle (Athy)
1. Oisin Lynch (Boyne) / Jamie Rafferty (Dundalk) 50 mins
2. Niall O’Hanlon (Athy) / Liam Nicholson (Wicklow) 50 mins
3. Adam Deay (Tullow) / Keith Farrell (MU Barnhall) 3 mins
4. James O’Loughlin (Naas, Capt)
5. Eoin Clarke (Cill Dara)
6. Niklas Moelders (Wicklow)
7. Donagh McCarrick (Coolmine) / Sean Whelan (New Ross)ht.
8. Grant Palmer (Wexford Wanderers) / Anrai Poole (Suttonians) 34 mins.

Leinster Rugby U-19s 19 Connacht 17
Tries: Diarmuid Mangan, Hugh Cooney & Sam Prendergast

15. Henry McErlean (St Michael’s College) / Jed Tormey (Belvedere College) ht.
14. Noah Sheridan (Wicklow RFC)
13. Hugh Cooney (Blackrock College)
12. Darragh Gilbourne (St Mary’s College) / Matthew Lynch (Terenure College) 42 mins
11. Ethan Laing (Blackrock College)
10. Sam Prendergast (Newbridge College, Capt)
9. Oscar Cawley (Naas RFC) / Fintan Gunne (St Michael’s College) 42 mins
1. Adam Duffy (Dundalk RFC) / George Hadden (Gorey RFC) 42 mins.
2. Gus McCarthy (Blackrock College) / Tom Barry (Gonzaga College) 52 mins
3. Patrick McCarthy (Blackrock College) / Ronan Foxe (Tullamore RFC) 52 mins
4. Daniel Leane (St Mary’s College)
5. Diarmuid Mangan (Newbridge College)
6. Dan Carroll (St Michael’s College)
7. Liam Molony (Blackrock College) / Josh O’Hare (Dundalk RFC) 42 mins
8. Matthew Victory (St Michael’s College).

Any big locks coming through? We need some big locks.

following up on this there is a huge lock in the schools squad, he didn't start either interpro game so is probably a bit of a project but he certainly has the size required for a modern lock.