Ireland team for the European Cup.

leinster__fan

Head coach Andy Kelly has named a few of the squad.
So far....

Scott Grix, Huddersfield Giants
Simon Grix, Warrington Wolves
Joe Taylor, Harlequins (& North Dublin Eagles)
Jamie O’Callaghan, Harlequins
Adam Aigbokhae, Portadown Pumas (& Liverpool John Moores University)
Greg McNally, Huddersfield Giants
John Gillam, Oldham Roughyeds

http://www.rlef.eu.com/news.php?id=1430

Has anyone any more news?

couerdelion

Well done to Joe Taylor. Will be fantastic experience for him.

toomevara

Wonder if Sheffield's Bergin will get a look in? Hope there's a good turn out for the Scotland/Ireland game in Tallaght...going to try and get over

couerdelion

Would have expected Wayne Kerr to be included again too. He seems to have been playing regularly for the Roughyeds and scored in their semi at the weekend.

leinster__fan

Here's my tips for the squad:

Tim Bergin. As suggested. He's been playing well in Sheffield and improving all the time.
Sean Hesketh, Lee Doran & Liam Finn, all named in the Championship "all-stars" so are on form. (unless age goes against Doran if Andy Kelly is building a team for the 2013 world cup)
Pat Richards (again unless age goes against him, like Doran he's 28)

Tyrone McCarthy, Luke Ambler, Ryan Boyle, Michael McIloram (all under 23 !!)

Bob Beswick of Halifax & Liam Harrison of Barrow are possibilities.

Karl Fitzpatrick & Stuart Littler are both finishing their careers with Salford so might not be considered, OPINIONS please.

Dave Allen, Is he back from his drugs ban?? what's happening with him??

Marcus St.Hillier is about 32 now so prob not for the future.OPINIONS please

From the domestic scene, Brendan Gilfoyle has the experience. Paddy Barcoe has been playing reserves in Sheffield and will be in the mix.

Andy Kelly looks like he's putting a young squad in place. He has a lot of talent in the early 20s atound so the future could be really good if the structures are right.

couerdelion

Thanks Leinster_fan pretty much agree with what you have written.

I think Richards has to be in there. He's got the experience which will help the young lads coming in and it must be a great experience to line up alongside him.

I guess the same argument could be made with the rest of the older players but I'd like to see a young team blooded and stuck with for the next few years to build consistency. It's nice to see some domestic players doing well and going over to England and making a go of it. The IRL really neeed to push the aspect and let potential RL players realise this is an alternative route into pro rugby for those who have the ability and aptitude. Hopefully some of them can get SL experience too.

Richard has also said he won't switch to England which has got to be the biggest worry for the team especially for the young english born lads playing super league and qualifying on grand parent rule.

couerdelion

From http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/super-league-stars-in-ireland-squad-2350100.html

Ireland coach Andy Kelly has included 13 Super League players in his 30-man training squad for next month's Alitalia European Cup.
The contingent is headed by prop Eamon O'Carroll and hooker Mick McIlorum but Wigan Warriors team-mate Pat Richards, one of Ireland's heroes from their successful 2008 World Cup campaign, is not available.
Huddersfield utility player Scott Grix will captain the side and is joined in the squad for the first time by his brother Simon, of Warrington.
"We are targeting three wins out of three and plan on springing a few surprises like we did in the World Cup," said Kelly.
"The games will be physical challenges, we know that, but like 2008 in Australia, we have the right spirit and attitude to make people sit up and take notice."
Ireland face trips to France and Wales on October 9 and 17 respectively before taking on Scotland in Tallaght Stadium on October 24.
Ireland 30-man training squad: Liam Harrison, Brett McDermott (both Barrow), Sean Hesketh (Batley), Michael Platt (Bradford), Paddy Barcoe (Carlow Crusaders), Matthew Fox (Dewsbury), Liam Finn (Featherstone), Bob Beswick (Halifax), Jason Golden, Jamie O'Callaghan (Harlequins), Simon Finnigan, Scott Grix (both Huddersfield), Adam Aigbokhae (Ireland Students), Luke Ambler, Kyle Amor (both Leeds), Stevie Gibbons (Leeds Met), Joseph Taylor (North Dublin Eagles), John Gillam, Wayne Kerr, Marcus St Hilaire, Greg McNally (all Oldham), Sean Gleeson, Ryan Boyle (both Salford), Tim Bergin (Sheffield), Brendan Guilfoyle (Treaty City Titans), Simon Grix, Tyrone McCarthy (both Warrington), Dave Allen (Widnes), Michael McIlorum, Eamon O'Carroll (both Wigan).
Press Association

leinster__fan

QUOTE ***I think Richards has to be in there. He's got the experience which will help the young lads coming in and it must be a great experience to line up alongside him***
I believe Pat Richards made himself unavailable for selection even before he got injured, as he'll be away (in Australia). Big shame.
However, there is a very good panel of young Superleague players. Hopefully, the final squad of 20 will be announced soon, as they are travelling to a training camp in France (monday i think).
Best of luck to them all. Spread the word about the home game on 24th in Tallaght Stadium !!!

leinster__fan

Ireland 20-man squad to face France:
Brett McDermott (Barrow Raiders),
Sean Hesketh (Batley Bulldogs),
Paddy Barcoe (Carlow Crusaders),
Matthew Fox (Dewsbury Rams),
Liam Finn (Featherstone Rovers),
Bob Beswick (Halifax),
Jamie O'Callaghan (Harlequins RL),
Scott Grix, (Huddersfield Giants),
Greg McNally (Huddersfield Giants),
Adam Aigbokhae (Irish Students),
Luke Ambler (Leeds Rhinos),
Joe Taylor (North Dublin Eagles),
Matt Ashe, (Oldham),
John Gillam, (Oldham),
Wayne Kerr (Oldham),
Ryan Boyle (Salford City Reds),
Tim Bergin, (Sheffield Eagles),
Michael Hayley (Sheffield Eagles),
Brendan Guilfoyle (Treaty City Titans),
Simon Grix (Warrington Wolves)

The game will take place at 2.15 Irish time and live updates will be available through Rugby League Ireland's new twitter page. Just search for @Irelandrl and follow us to keep up to date with the game.
The game is also screened live on-line www.direct8.fr and highlights on boots n all on monday eve on sky sports

leinster__fan

Ireland
1. Greg MCNALLY

2. Tim BERGIN
3. Simon GRIX
4. Jamie O'CALLAGHAN
5. John GILLAM

6. Scott GRIX
7. Liam FINN

8. Michael HALEY
9. Robert BESWICK
10. Bret MCDERMOTT

11. Sean HESKETH
12. Luke AMBLER

13. Matthew FOX

14. Matthew ASHE
15. Joe TAYLOR
16. Wayne KERR
17. Brendan GUILFOYLE
FRANCE

1. Cyril STACUL

2. Vincent DUPORT
3. Teddy SADAOUI
4. Jean-Philippe BAILE
5. Frédéric VACCARI

6. Tony GIGOT
7. Maxime GRESEQUE

8. Rémi CASTY
9. Kane BENTLEY
10. Jamal FAKIR

11. Olivier ELIMA
12. Julien TOUXAGAS

13. Jason BAITERI

14. Nicolas MUNOZ
15. Mickaël SIMON
16. Mathieu GRIFFI
17. Andrew BENTLEY

couerdelion

Good to see a few home grown players made the 17.

Good luck lads.

Ismhunter

leinster__fan wrote: »

Ireland 20-man squad to face France:
.
The game is also screened live on-line www.direct8.fr and highlights on boots n all on monday eve on sky sports

My french is not too good and google translate aint good enough. Do you know if they are going to put the video up for watching later aswell? I was at the leinster game.

Tollie

Anyone know. What time & date is the game in Tallaght? Where will Ireland be training ahead of the game?

couerdelion

October 24th - 2:30pm kick off.

Not sure where they will be training. In the past they have trained at ALSAA out nr the airport.

MerryWhistleblo

Off topic, RLI site - events section is advertising pre-game meal at Maldron Hotel for past players,members and supporters.

Tollie

couerdelion wrote: »

October 24th - 2:30pm kick off.

Not sure where they will be training. In the past they have trained at ALSAA out nr the airport.

Its time the National side were able to train on the National RL pitch, if we had one!

BoboDub

MerryWhistleblo wrote: »

Off topic, RLI site - events section is advertising pre-game meal at Maldron Hotel for past players,members and supporters.

Spoke to 3 former players - none had heard anything about it :mad:

Will hopefully be a good day, although I can't see a big crowd coming out when Ive seen or heard almost no advertising (same as the Tolka Park game back in 2007 then ). After the better performance against the Welsh there's a chance to top things off with a good home win here.