That’s a pretty good way for Kilkenny RFC to kick off the May Bank Holiday weekend.
Four of Kilkenny Rugby Club’s firsts have been selected to play for Leinster in the Junior Interprovincial Series kicking off this Sunday in Portlaoise Rugby Club (Togher) with Munster providing the first opposition.
Kick off is set for 2.30pm.
Podge Mahon (pictured above), Wes Carter and captain David ‘Doc’ O’Connor will all take part in the series. Liam Caddy, while selected, misses out on the Munster game through injury.
While no Carlow players make the squad, the Kilkenny collective will be joined by Frank Murphy, Stephen Smith and William O’Brien of Tullow RFC.
The Portlaoise game will be followed with games against Connacht in Westport and Ulster in Coleraine. These three games are followed with a very attractive game against Gydnia in Donnybrook on the 21st May. Gydnia are the Polish Champions and they will have a number of International players playing in this game against the Leinster Juniors.
Manager Derick Turner (Longford RFC) says that the competition will throw up some great contests.
“There is never anything easy in these inter provincial games. The challenge is to knit players from different clubs who would have contrasting styles into a cohesive unit. It is a significant challenge, but it is a great opportunity for junior players to represent their Province. “It also gives players a chance to play with players they would normally be opposing or never play against.”
Leinster Squad
Gary Robb, Simon Kinsella, Marcus McAllister, John Shine,(Malahide) Conor McNally, James Rooney, Mark Rooney , James McGaghy, (Ashbourne), Harry Lalor, Gavin Thompson, Robin Foot (Portlaoise), Liam Caddy, Wesley Carter, David O’Connor, (Kilkenny), Neil Finlay, Simon King, Paul Nolan, Chris Jebb (Clondalkin), William Groome, (Edenderry) Matt Bater, Jordan Ahern, Stephen Horan, Darragh Bellanova, Willian Earle (Gorey), Armand Smit (Portarlington), Ronan Costello, Ross Shaughnessy, Cian Glennon, (De La Salle Palmerston), Conor Hayes, Luke Pollard (Coolmine), Arthur Brabazon,(Mullingar), Joe Gerry, (Nth Kildare), Hubie Connolly, (Longford), Frank Murphy, Stephen Smith, Willie O’Brien (Tullow).
Munster Squad
1 Pat Ryan (St. Senan’s)
2 Mike Cronin (Castleisland)
3 Colm Skeehan (Thurles)
4 Dave Foley (Newcastle West)
5 Rory O’Donnell (St. Mary’s)
6 Courtney Canning (Clonakilty) (Capt.)
7 Aidan Weir (Old Christians)
8 Kieran Downey (Castleisland)
9 Nicky Irwin (Thurles)
10 John Lillis (Thurles)
11 Dan Horgan (Muskerry)
12 Kieran Merrigan (Clanwilliam)
13 Shane Moloney (Thurles)
14 Warren Kerry (St. Senan’s)
15 Dean O’Brien (Newcastle West)
Replacements
16 Darragh Fitzgerald (St. Marys)
17 Darre Collins (Muskerry)
18 PJ O’Connor (Charleville)
19 Brendan Childs (Galbally)
20 Ian Fitzgerald (St. Senans)
21 Sean Herlihy (Newcastle West)
22 Aidan Dwyer (Thurles)
23 Brian Collins (St. Senans)
