Provincial Schools Cups 2013-2014 [MOD NOTE POST 1]

JagerScout

Agreed on the front row being very tight, well apart from Dooley who is a strong option for captain of this side.
Kelleher is certainly talented but Fitzpatrick and Byrne are both very good too.
Not sure on Hayden, he impressed me last year but you could be right, maybe Josh Murphy at 6 is an option.
Outhalf very tight too but McKeon will probably edge it.

One thing for sure there is a lot of depth at certain positions so plenty of rotation.

Weakest position is probably scrumhalf or backrow, strongest either front row or outhalf or centre.

Hagz

Philip Maher looked very good when I watched him for Clongowes.

lurtz

McGagh is from Rockwell and has represented munster at 18s and connacht at 19s,so surely will become the only player to have represented 3.
Great to see new faces,from league schools as well as players being rewarded for good cup performances.
I presume brewer will be involved in the sub academy this coming season,think he had surgery recently enough which is probably ruling him out of this.
Very interesting to see an exile involved,not normally a leinster move he must be going to trinity

JagerScout

lurtz wrote: »

McGagh is from Rockwell and has represented munster at 18s and connacht at 19s,so surely will become the only player to have represented 3.
Great to see new faces,from league schools as well as players being rewarded for good cup performances.
I presume brewer will be involved in the sub academy this coming season,think he had surgery recently enough which is probably ruling him out of this.
Very interesting to see an exile involved,not normally a leinster move he must be going to trinity

Brewer had another surgery today.

Quint2010

JagerScout wrote: »

Brewer had another surgery today.

You'd wonder if all these injuries affected his form. Certainly not the same player in the cup this year.

JagerScout

Quint2010 wrote: »

You'd wonder if all these injuries affected his form. Certainly not the same player in the cup this year.

Maybe, but he was pretty good for the schools team in France during easter. Either way they can't have helped.

ormond lad

McGagh is from Waterford lurtz. Won a munster u/age title with w'park before moving to Rockwell winning a senior cup
Prob would never have reached this level at all if he hadn't moved position as up to 3 1/2 years ago or so he was a 2nd row

rugby_fan

JagerScout wrote: »

Agreed on the front row being very tight, well apart from Dooley who is a strong option for captain of this side.
Kelleher is certainly talented but Fitzpatrick and Byrne are both very good too.
Not sure on Hayden, he impressed me last year but you could be right, maybe Josh Murphy at 6 is an option.
Outhalf very tight too but McKeon will probably edge it.

One thing for sure there is a lot of depth at certain positions so plenty of rotation.

Weakest position is probably scrumhalf or backrow, strongest either front row or outhalf or centre.

Have heard like Leavy that Dooley wont be involved in the interpro.

JagerScout

rugby_fan wrote: »

Have heard like Leavy that Dooley wont be involved in the interpro.

wouldn't be a surprise either considering he finished the JWC with an injury, kind of surprised Brian Cunningham isn't involved.

Leinster5

Yeah they are leaving it light in the loosehead area if Dooley can't play. Soroka is unproven and Coulson's scrummaging can be questionable at times, and that was at schools level.

JagerScout

Coulson is a fine scrummager at LH and Heffernan plays both sides so I'd say he would be an option there too.

Soroka isnt unproven, he is just not aswell known. Was a standout for Belvo last year.

Also sounds like the lads were seriously put through their paces today on their first day back, physically tortured was one quote ive heard from one player.

Hagz

Is Gardiner that youth's second row that a few of you spoke very highly of?

JagerScout

Hagz wrote: »

Is Gardiner that youth's second row that a few of you spoke very highly of?

i've heard good things, unsure how tall he is. Never seen him play myself.

ormond lad

Hagz wrote: »

Is Gardiner that youth's second row that a few of you spoke very highly of?

Yes. From Gorey. Very good player. Seen him once or twice with Leinster. Is about 6ft 7/8 and has a very bright future in the game

JagerScout

Quite a lot of turnover from the under-19 team last year to this year:

Robert Somerville, Dermot Lavelle, Matthew Lowe, Brian Cunningham, Dermot O'Flynn, Darragh Henry, Daniel Jordan, Sam Sterling, Cormac O'Donoghue, Mark O'Keeffe all not involved.

3 players from the under 19 second team involved with the under 20 team: Denis Coulson, Stephen Gardiner, Bryan Hayden.

ormond lad

JagerScout wrote: »

Quite a lot of turnover from the under-19 team last year to this year:

Robert Somerville, Dermot Lavelle, Matthew Lowe, Brian Cunningham, Dermot O'Flynn, Darragh Henry, Daniel Jordan, Sam Sterling, Cormac O'Donoghue, Mark O'Keeffe all not involved.

3 players from the under 19 second team involved with the under 20 team: Denis Coulson, Stephen Gardiner, Bryan Hayden.

Sam is in Munster squad and there nearly always is quite a bit of turnover between 19s and 20s squads with normally 5/6 changes between each year.

JagerScout

St. Michaels players with the u18 and u19 development squads this summer. Surprisingly no Harry Redmond or Oisin O'Meara but still impressive numbers once again.

Leinster U18
James Bollard - Prop
James Ryan - Lock
Charlie Cregan - Backrow
Max Deegan - Backrow
David Duggan - Scrumhalf
Robin Cosgrave - Outhalf
Matthew Gilsenan - Centre

Leinster U19
Dan Green - Wing
Adam Leavy - Centre
Alex Penny - Backrow

Quint2010

What's happened to Charlie Rock?

stellenbosch

Quint2010 wrote: »

What's happened to Charlie Rock?

Leinster 19's

Quint2010

stellenbosch wrote: »

Leinster 19's

Thought he was 19's last year?

ormond lad

Quint2010 wrote: »

Thought he was 19's last year?

Rock was in FIRA squad in April

JagerScout

although rock is pretty small i'd rate him higher than McCarthy, although McCarthy must be highly rated by the Leinster setup considering he skipped under-19 and was captain of the Ireland schools side last year, would be odd to see both McCarthy and Rock skip under 19.

ormond lad

Player from Ulster, Justin Allen is in an American high school squad about to go on a tour of Argentina. He is a second row from Banbridge.
http://usarugby.org/youth-news/item/hsaas-ready-for-argentina-tour

Anyone know any more about him? Has he played schools or club rugby? According to link he's 6'10 and 120kg so he is a very big lad. Has he played with Ulster before??

JagerScout

Justin Allen played for Banbridge under-19s in May.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/news/11430.php

More info here:

Justin Allen is a 17 year old born in Co. Wexford and living in Donegal. His mother is American, therefore he is eligible to play with the USA Eagles International Rugby Team. He started rugby at age 12 at Wexford RFC then moved to Co. Donegal at age 14 and joined Letterkenny RFC. He was involved with the Ulster development squad at age 15-16 and is now with The Ulster Rugby Academy in Belfast. We have travelled 450 Miles a week for 2 yrs. so Justin could play a higher level of rugby with Portadown RFC, Co. Armagh under 17's and under 19's squads. Justin's team came 2nd in the Ulster Cup Final at Ravenhill, Belfast in the under 19's division May 11, 2013. Justin was top scorer in the Ulster under 17's rugby last season with 93 points. Justin is 6'11" and plays 2nd row lock. He's been invited to go on tour with the USA High School All American Team (u18/19s) to Argentina this summer, July 12-30th. Justin needs to raise €1000.00 for the tour. Any donations, no matter how small, to help Justin realise his goal would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[the magic of google]

RuPi

Hasn't played for any Ulster Rep squads but played for Portadown RFC under age sides. Fair play to the lad, I know some schools players in Ulster had trials for Scotland U18's last year after not making Ulster schools and that some other under age players are using family links to Italy to try and get in academies over there.

All the best to Justin.

JagerScout

Ulster under 18 school from early April.

Ulster U18 Schools XV:
15. Angus McCartney (Sullivan Upper)
14. David Campbell (BRA)
13. Matthew Butler (Campbell College)
12. Matthew McDowell (Ballyclare HS)
11. Jordan Hylton (BRA)
10. Joel McBride (Belfast HS)
9. Cameron Fulton (Coleraine AI)
1. Michael Gillan (Ballymena Academy)
2. Reuben Heyburn (Ballyclare HS)
3. Peter Cooper (Sullivan Upper)
4. Robert Norwood (Campbell College)
5. Jonny Harris (Regent House)
6. Matthew Darling (Ballyclare HS)
7. Matthew McKinney (Methodist College)
8. Alexander Hamilton (Campbell College)
Replacements:
16. Daniel Kealy (Campbell College)
17. Saul Herdman (Methodist College)
18. John Clarke (Portora RS)
19. George McKeague (Coleraine AI)
20. Conal Boomer (Methodist College)
21. Fergus Jemphrey (Sullivan Upper)
22. Michael Black (Carrickfergus GS)
23. Ben Finlay (Wallace HS)
24. Jack McCool (Limavady GS)
25. Ryan Wilson (Wallace HS)
26. Nathan Graham (Regent House)

lurtz

ormond lad wrote: »

Player from Ulster, Justin Allen is in an American high school squad about to go on a tour of Argentina. He is a second row from Banbridge.
http://usarugby.org/youth-news/item/hsaas-ready-for-argentina-tour

Anyone know any more about him? Has he played schools or club rugby? According to link he's 6'10 and 120kg so he is a very big lad. Has he played with Ulster before??

seriously obscure find there OL!!
this one must be one of your best!

RuPi wrote: »

Hasn't played for any Ulster Rep squads but played for Portadown RFC under age sides. Fair play to the lad, I know some schools players in Ulster had trials for Scotland U18's last year after not making Ulster schools and that some other under age players are using family links to Italy to try and get in academies over there.

All the best to Justin.

Italy is really thinking outside the box and a great idea. We forget there is a fully professional league there

ormond lad

lurtz wrote: »

seriously obscure find there OL!!
this one must be one of your best!


Italy is really thinking outside the box and a great idea. We forget there is a fully professional league there

saw something on twitter...(too much time on hands with no work/college)
Yes Italy is an option with chance to push on from league there to come back here after few years

JagerScout

Insight into Munster's under 20 camp..

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/domestic/news/12055.php#.UdyZvPnVBqU

good to see Leamy coaching.

specttator

ormond lad wrote: »

saw something on twitter...(too much time on hands with no work/college)
Yes Italy is an option with chance to push on from league there to come back here after few years

Interesting! Are there many young Irish players on the Italian League circuit?

ormond lad

There was an update on the Munster 19s on the Munster website today with the 19s team manager. Fixtures below are of Munster's warm up games and the interpro series. I have added in the other interpro fixtures from what was on the Munster website

Sunday, 11th August Exiles U19 v Munster U19 (Away - Venue TBC)
Friday, 16th August Munster U19 v Italy U19 (Home - Venue TBC)
Monday, 19th August Leicester U19 v Munster U19 (Away - Venue TBC)
Friday, 23rd August Cardiff U19 v Munster U19 (Away - Venue TBC)

Munster U19 Interprovincial Fixtures
Saturday, 7th September Ulster v Munster, Connacht v Leinster
Saturday, 14th September Munster v Leinster, Ulster v Connacht
Saturday, 21st September Connacht v Munster, Leinster v Ulster

On other interpro fixtures apart from Munsters the sides that are home and away are not known.

ormond lad

Munster Schools u18 interpro fixtures from Munster website http://www.munsterrugby.ie/domestic/news/12065.php
Saturday, 7th September, Leinster v Munster (Venue TBC)
Saturday, 14th September, Munster v Connacht (Venue TBC)
Saturday, 21st September, Munster v Ulster (Venue TBC)

lurtz

specttator wrote: »

Interesting! Are there many young Irish players on the Italian League circuit?

there have been a few,mostly props like Royce Burke Flynn Brian McGovern,Bryan Young and the Ryan Brothers. Neilus Keogh was over there last season and I think Eoghan Hickey is over there now. No young players really though

irishbucsfan

ormond lad wrote: »

saw something on twitter...(too much time on hands with no work/college)
Yes Italy is an option with chance to push on from league there to come back here after few years

It should be pointed out also that the head coach of that team is called Salty Thompson,


He's a very big lad though, am I right in thinking he's just 17?

JagerScout

Stephen Gardiner moving from Gorey to Landsdowne.

ormond lad

JagerScout wrote: »

Stephen Gardiner moving from Gorey to Landsdowne.

Good move for him as he would only be playing junior rugby in Gorey.

Senior League groups have been released
Section A - Pres Bray, Roscrea, Andrews, Gerards, Newbridge, CBC Monkstown

Section B - Kilkenny, Kings Hospital, Wesley, Gonzaga, CUS, Castleknock

JagerScout

ormond lad wrote: »

Good move for him as he would only be playing junior rugby in Gorey.

Senior League groups have been released
Section A - Pres Bray, Roscrea, Andrews, Gerards, Newbridge, CBC Monkstown

Section B - Kilkenny, Kings Hospital, Wesley, Gonzaga, CUS, Castleknock

It was inevitable really, history of gorey players moving there(Earle&Sheriff) also getting involved with landsdowne also inherently boosts his chances at being involved with the u20 irish team which is a real possibility if he keeps progressing.

Also Richie Allen(St. Michaels) joining Belvo.

dregin

ormond lad wrote: »

Player from Ulster, Justin Allen is in an American high school squad about to go on a tour of Argentina. He is a second row from Banbridge.
http://usarugby.org/youth-news/item/hsaas-ready-for-argentina-tour

Anyone know any more about him? Has he played schools or club rugby? According to link he's 6'10 and 120kg so he is a very big lad. Has he played with Ulster before??

Hah, and there was I was about to comment on there being no players from outside NI in the Ulster squad and this guy's from Letterkenny!

lurtz

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/domestic/news/12089.php

good insight

JagerScout

Oliver Jager playing rugby in NZ this summer, doesnt look like he will be involved with leinster under-19 for the inter-pros. To be determined though.

lurtz

JagerScout wrote: »

Oliver Jager playing rugby in NZ this summer, doesnt look like he will be involved with leinster under-19 for the inter-pros. To be determined though.

what part and for who?

JagerScout

lurtz wrote: »

what part and for who?

playing under-21 in christchurch and training with the canterbury academy.. he has played both prop and flanker. Back in mid-august afaik.

Leinster5

JagerScout wrote: »

It was inevitable really, history of gorey players moving there(Earle&Sheriff) also getting involved with landsdowne also inherently boosts his chances at being involved with the u20 irish team which is a real possibility if he keeps progressing.

Also Richie Allen(St. Michaels) joining Belvo.

Is Allen joining Belvo? Last thing I heard from his 'Michaels coach is that he was St. Mary's or Lansdowne bound, almost certain Shane Delahunt has joined Belvo as well. Anyone know when Leinster 20's first game is? Or has the squad even been cut yet?

lurtz

Leinster5 wrote: »

Is Allen joining Belvo? Last thing I heard from his 'Michaels coach is that he was St. Mary's or Lansdowne bound, almost certain Shane Delahunt has joined Belvo as well. Anyone know when Leinster 20's first game is? Or has the squad even been cut yet?

squad wont be cut until just before the interpro
first game is around 2nd or 3rd week of august v tarf

JagerScout

rumor going round that mckeever has packed it in.

Leinster5

From what I was told McKeever, Summerville and Allen have all quit, and I also heard that two lads quit the u19's set-up, one of them being a member of St. Michaels Senior team this year, but the name slips me.

Quint2010

Leinster5 wrote: »

From what I was told McKeever, Summerville and Allen have all quit, and I also heard that two lads quit the u19's set-up, one of them being a member of St. Michaels Senior team this year, but the name slips me.

Richie Allen is part of the Leinster 20's set up this year according to the official 'Michaels twitter feed.

Hagz

Quint2010 wrote: »

Richie Allen is part of the Leinster 20's set up this year according to the official 'Michaels twitter feed.

He could still have quit. It looks like McKeever packed it in a week ago

CGD

Hagz wrote: »

He could still have quit. It looks like McKeever packed it in a week ago

I think McKeever was sick for the first 2 weeks of camp and hadn't fully recovered, would have been tough for him to catch up and being a big lad wouldn't have helped him

JagerScout

CGD wrote: »

I think McKeever was sick for the first 2 weeks of camp and hadn't fully recovered, would have been tough for him to catch up and being a big lad wouldn't have helped him

nah he just doesnt have it in him...