The Ireland’s Under-18 Clubs squad was announced earlier this week and sees another Tullow son set to pull on the green jersey.
Charlie Ward, a leaving certificate student in Tullow Community School, playing his club rugby with Tullow RFC, is in Portugal as part of Dan van Zyl’s squad.
Ireland’s Under-18s opened their season with a 46-12 victory over Portugal in November of last year with Nenagh Ormond’s Evan Murphy the only player involved in that game retained for this weekend. Kick off is 4pm this Saturday.
Nenagh Ormond back rower Evan Murphy, who captained Munster to the IRFU Under-18 Clubs Interprovincial title this season, is the only player included who was involved in Ireland’s 46-12 victory over Portugal in Jamor.
Galwegians lock Iarlaith Morrin Laheen, who captained his province this season, leads the Connacht representation, while there is a healthy contingent of Leinster U-18 Clubs front rowers in Marcus Hanan, Mark Nicholson, who captained Wicklow to the Leinster U-17 League title in May, and Tullow’s Charlie Ward.
Ireland Under 18 Clubs Squad v Portugal
Thomas Ahern (Dungarvan RFC/St. Augustine’s Dungarvan)
Connor Beer (Bath Academy/Beechen Cliff School/IQ Rugby)
Ben Daly (Waterpark RFC/Ard Scoil Na Mhara)
Joshua Dunne (Nottingham Academy/Denstone College/IQ Rugby)
Marcus Hanan (North Kildare RFC/Salesians College)
Paddy Harris (Wasps Academy/Henley College/IQ Rugby)
Joe Henry (Wellington College/IQ Rugby)
Hayden Hyde (Harlequins Academy/Cranleigh School/IQ Rugby)
Karl Martin (Boyne RFC/St. Mary’s School Drogheda)
Padraig McCarthy (Bantry Bay RFC/Colaiste Pobail Bheanntrai)
Paddy McKenzie (Wicklow RFC /East Glendalough School)
Oran McNulty (Bath Academy/Millfield/IQ Rugby)
Chris Moore (Beechen Cliff School/IQ Rugby)
Iarlaith Morrin Laheen (Galwegians RFC/Calasanctius College)
Conor Morrissey (Cork Constitution FC/Mayfield CS)
Shane Murphy (Skerries RFC/St. Joseph’s, Rush)
Evan Murphy (Nenagh Ormond RFC/Nenagh CBS)
Thomas Ahern (Buccaneers RFC/Coláiste Chíaráin)
Mark Nicholson (Wicklow RFC/Colaiste Chill Mhantain)
Conor O’Brien (Nenagh Ormond RFC/Nenagh CBS)
Saul O’Carroll (Buccaneers RFC/Garbally College)
Kevin O’Connor (Cashel RFC/Cashel Community School)
Charlie Ward (Tullow RFC/Tullow Community School)
