Big well done and congrats to the U19 squad on the interpro win in Ashbourne, great result.

connacht 10 leinster 48 much closer than that.

started of by leinster 14, running from his own 22 to connachts 22 which led to a penalty. no tackles to be seen but hes very good.
then leinster scored a try before 10mins.
connacht then missed a penalty right in from of the posts on the 22, (someone was coached by NOC last season )
after half hour good attacking by connacht but led to penalty to leinster, there 12 tom daly ran all of 45metres, kicked by himself. score 16-0
36mins connacht get penlty , from 35 metres, 21-3
38mins foot in touch and made ground to the far corner,
connacht win the ball on the ground, joc style but ref gives penalty to leinster. said he was of his feet.
min later sin bin for 7, paul maxwell.
then leinster was under the posts, ref had his hand up in the air, awarding the try before they even went over, then as the ran over he blew for it, 26-10

42mins 26-3should of been a lineout, flag was up but ref played on 31-10 at 47 mins.
52mins try from there number 8, 38-10
alex o meara went of injured, played on the wing, 14 but much better fullback. then there fullback score a try. 65mins 43-10
then ref and linesman failed to notice the foot in touch again, connacht touch the ball down over there try line, THEN knocked it on, scrum 5metres out, 48-10

edit, score could of been 51-10

got to say, ref was a joke, listed here that his 2linesmen were ment to be A, moore and M forrestal. what happened to them? from what i seen, it was a team player from both squads.
you'd had a better ref set up at an under 12. bad touchline calls cost connacht 3 trys

swift4prez wrote: off to the connacht vs leinster under20's game, internet not working so cant do any score updates, maybe knockon.ie will be there. ill give a report when i get back

there should be somebody tweeting/giving updates
Youths side to play munster
domestic.connachtrugby.ie/201209212299/c...ce-munster-announced

off to the connacht vs leinster under20's game, internet not working so cant do any score updates, maybe knockon.ie will be there. ill give a report when i get back

Think Philip O'Dwyer has just started at UCD so Leinster more practical.

Cistercian Roscrea are most represented school Leinster vs Connacht

It's only a question, but has there been a policy change by the Connacht Schools selctors?

The U-18's squad this season looks like a league of nations i.e. with the idea to represent as many schools as possible rather than a team selected based on the strongest player in each position.

I haven't seen any of these kids play so I'm not judging them at all as individuals, but it does seem that Marist & Roscrea apart the representation from the schools who have been the most successful over the last decade is minimal (One Grammar lad on the bench, and not a single Jes lad).

Of course it could be that given our small playing pool we are just in a cylce where a bunch of very talented players have now left school and we're left with mainly experienced but average players and talented post Junior Cup lads. The volumes that Leinster & Ulster produce mean their fallow years are realtively few by comparison...

It may be a plan to encourage the other schools in an attempt to bolster standards across the Schools Cup competition, which would very noble indeed but I'm not sure getting pasted in two of three fixtures (one at home) will benefit any of the players participating...

Munster 23 - 15 Connacht
Connacht 00 - 23 Ulster
Leinster 61 - 03 Connacht


But the question sticks in my head, is that the best Connacht Schools XX111 available this year?

LeinsterRugby wrote:
Leinster Schools defeat Connacht to seal title...
19 September 2012, 5:06 pm
By Editor

The Leinster Under-18 Schools, sponsored by Newstalk, completed their clean sweep of the Interprovincial Championship in a super-impressive nine-try 61-3 victory over Connacht at Donnybrook on Wednesday afternoon...

This was yet another comprehensive performance to follow on from their 68-5 rout of Ulster and 34-12 beating of Munster in Limerick.

Leinster coach Noel McNamara was forced, by injury, into making two changes from the win over Munster, Adam Leavy coming in on the right wing for Cormac Brennan and Oisin Heffernan moving from loose-head to tight-head for Oliver Jager, Eric O’Sullivan slotting in on the other side of the front row.

Connacht started steadily enough until centre Fergal Cleary collected his own block-down and hared down the touchline for the opening try in the third minute. Fly-half Ross Byrne converted from the left touchline.

A delicately angled kick by Connacht out-half Colin Keane almost came to something. But, referee Barry O’Connell had spotted an earlier infringement and centre Dwayne Corcoran nailed the penalty to clip the lead to 7-3.

Leinster were quick to respond, full-back Billy Dardis fielding a clearance and doing the simple thing perfectly for Harrison Brewer to send lock Rory Moloney galloping through on the right. Byrne kicked the two points.

A quick throw in at a lineout by wing Adam Leavy created the space for full-back Dardis to speed into the left corner. Byrne tacked on another two for a 21-3 advantage in the 18th minute.

They came again straight away for left wing James McCormack to chip down the left flank and lock Moloney showed enough pace to take the bouncing ball overhead for his second touchdown, converted by Byrne.

When Connacht kicked into touch on the full, it was all the encouragement Leinster needed for a driving maul from which Moloney peeled off the back and fast ball allowed number eight Nick Timoney to ease over at the posts. Byrne converted to make it 35-3 at the break.

There was a scrappy opening to the second period that was soon forgotten when Dardis weaved through traffic for a sparkling try all of his own making and taking in the 45th minute.

A simple loop move, prompted by Byrne, opened the space going right and the quick hands of Dardis put wing Leavy away down the right. Openside Patrick Thornton was on his inside shoulder to just about make the line. Byrne converted to make it 49-3 in the 50th minute.

A period of intense pressure within ten metres of the Connacht line ended with Moloney taking a short ball from captain Nick McCarthy’s tap penalty for the eighth try, the first Byrne could not convert.

The tank was still not empty. Connacht tried to hold onto the ball. When their continuity stopped, Leinster countered at speed for Dardis to stroll to the posts for Byrne to make it eight conversions out of nine.

“We are very pleased. We feel the boys performed very well and it was a pleasing aspect that they only conceded one try over the three matches, while scoring a few in the process,” said coach Noel McNamara.

“The process of selecting the Ireland Schools squad will take place over the coming weeks. The coaches from the different provinces will sit down and rank their players in terms of who they, potentially, think could play for the Irish Schools”.

Leinster: B Dardis (Terenure); A Leavy (St Michael’s), F Cleary (Clongowes Wood), H Brewer (Terenure), J McCormack (Castleknock); R Byrne (St Michael's), N McCarthy (St Michael's, CAPTAIN); E O’Sullivan (Templeogue), A Roche (Terenure), O Heffernan (Cistercian Roscrea), J Ryan (St Michael’s), R Moloney (Cistercian Roscrea), J Murphy (St Michael's), P Thornton (Terenure), N Timoney (Blackrock).

Replacements: A Penny (St Michael’s) for Thornton 57 mins; T Schmidt (Terenure) for McCarthy, both 58 mins; G Reynolds (King’s Hospital) for Roche, N Mpiko (King’s Hospital) for O’Sullivan, H O’Donnell (Newbridge) for Heffernan, all 61 mins; C O’Donoghue (Clongowes Wood) for McCormack 64 mins; M Courtney (CBC Monkstown) for Brewer 65 mins.

Connacht: S Doyle, B Gilligan, S Dempsey (all Marist), D Corcoran (Cistercian Roscrea), P Glavey (McHale, Achill); C Keane (Pres, Headford), J Mitchell (St Jospeh’s, Galway); C Kyne (Colaiste Mhuire, Spiddal), C Gavin (Cistercian, Roscrea), F Murphy (St Gerald’s, Castlebar), F Tully (St Muredach’s, Ballina), R Murphy (Balla School), M Kelly (Cistercian, Roscrea), D Maher (Athenry VS), J Codyre (Garbally).

Replacements: C Laheen (Holy Rosary, Mountbellew) for F Murphy 26 mins; C Hansbury (St Calasanctus, Oranmore) for Laheen, F Stoneman (Colaiste Einde, Galway) for Corcoran both ht; C Evans (St Joseph’s, Galway) for Dempsey 45 mins; P O’Toole (Sancta Maria, Louisburgh) for Gavin, E Galvin (Marist) for Codyre, M Greene (Sligo Grammar) for Keane, all 52 mins.

REFEREE: B. O'Connell (IRFU)

Craic Head wrote:

ormond lad wrote: Can anybody here tell me what Connachts A schools side is like? Theyre playing the Munster A schools in musgrave park on wednesday afternoon.
The Munster A schools played Connachts u18 schools a few weeks ago and lost on a scoreline of around 35-5 so i imagine Munster should beat Connacht on wednesday

I thought that our U18s were supposed to have played well to beat the Munster A Schools a few weeks ago. They play a very high tempo game and when it comes off it is great to watch. They were unlucky to lose to the Exiles playing very high risk stuff and giving soft tries away.

They were supposed to have a really good Exile lad training with them this summer, Sean O'Hagan, he only played for 20mins in each game but was supposed to be very very impressive. He did not stay for the interpros so only played short periods. Don't know much else about him.

We only have one player in the schools only team and all the others are club/youths eligible. We should only play one team at this age as we do not have enough rugby playing schools. We can fare better at 19's and 20's as we showed last year but we will never match the teams of Munster and Leinster in particular at 18's. Even Ulster are struggling to keep up at 18's and they have more schools than we have.

The branch are definitely right to use much the same squad for Connacht Schools & Youths (as long as the fixtures don't clash) especially as our Schools competition is still the weakest of the four provinces, the extra games together give them more time together under better coaching standards and a better chance to be competitive in the Interpro's.

Playing pool is way too small in the province for schools ask for players not to compete for local clubs at weekends, most of them are doubling up with other sports at their schools anyway especially those at traditionally GAA schools...

Craic Head wrote:

ormond lad wrote: Can anybody here tell me what Connachts A schools side is like? Theyre playing the Munster A schools in musgrave park on wednesday afternoon.
The Munster A schools played Connachts u18 schools a few weeks ago and lost on a scoreline of around 35-5 so i imagine Munster should beat Connacht on wednesday

I thought that our U18s were supposed to have played well to beat the Munster A Schools a few weeks ago. They play a very high tempo game and when it comes off it is great to watch. They were unlucky to lose to the Exiles playing very high risk stuff and giving soft tries away.

They were supposed to have a really good Exile lad training with them this summer, Sean O'Hagan, he only played for 20mins in each game but was supposed to be very very impressive. He did not stay for the interpros so only played short periods. Don't know much else about him.

We only have one player in the schools only team and all the others are club/youths eligible. We should only play one team at this age as we do not have enough rugby playing schools. We can fare better at 19's and 20's as we showed last year but we will never match the teams of Munster and Leinster in particular at 18's. Even Ulster are struggling to keep up at 18's and they have more schools than we have.

You are talking about the u18 schools. Ive seen them play. i want to know about the side you will have playing in cork tomorrow which will not involve players whove been playing in the u18 intepros that have been played so far this month
On the 18 schools theyre a good side and im surprised they lost to munster in the interpro

ormond lad wrote: Can anybody here tell me what Connachts A schools side is like? Theyre playing the Munster A schools in musgrave park on wednesday afternoon.
The Munster A schools played Connachts u18 schools a few weeks ago and lost on a scoreline of around 35-5 so i imagine Munster should beat Connacht on wednesday

I thought that our U18s were supposed to have played well to beat the Munster A Schools a few weeks ago. They play a very high tempo game and when it comes off it is great to watch. They were unlucky to lose to the Exiles playing very high risk stuff and giving soft tries away.

They were supposed to have a really good Exile lad training with them this summer, Sean O'Hagan, he only played for 20mins in each game but was supposed to be very very impressive. He did not stay for the interpros so only played short periods. Don't know much else about him.

We only have one player in the schools only team and all the others are club/youths eligible. We should only play one team at this age as we do not have enough rugby playing schools. We can fare better at 19's and 20's as we showed last year but we will never match the teams of Munster and Leinster in particular at 18's. Even Ulster are struggling to keep up at 18's and they have more schools than we have.

Swift,
Connacht u20's play Leinster in Sportsground on Friday at 3pm..

any games at the sportsground this week? under 20/18 or A????

ormond lad wrote: Can anybody here tell me what Connachts A schools side is like? Theyre playing the Munster A schools in musgrave park on wednesday afternoon.
The Munster A schools played Connachts u18 schools a few weeks ago and lost on a scoreline of around 35-5 so i imagine Munster should beat Connacht on wednesday

Well given the lack of rugby schools in Connacht I can't see the schools team being too strong

Can anybody here tell me what Connachts A schools side is like? Theyre playing the Munster A schools in musgrave park on wednesday afternoon.
The Munster A schools played Connachts u18 schools a few weeks ago and lost on a scoreline of around 35-5 so i imagine Munster should beat Connacht on wednesday

Olding has that late drop of class for Ulster

Sat, Sep 15, 2012

Connacht 7 Ulster 9: STUART OLDING’S drop-goal four minutes from time gave Ulster their second win of the Under-20s championship at Dubarry Park last night.

Ulster struggled to shake off a determined Connacht side, but Oldings late drop goal and two earlier penalties ensured his side retained their 100 per cent record so far.

After losing out to Munster in the first round, defending champions Connacht needed a win to kick-start their campaign, but instead Olding deservedly kicked Ulster into the lead with a penalty after 18 minutes.

But three minutes later Alex OMeara was on his toes to intercept a flat Ulster pass and canter in from halfway to leave Dara Leader with a simple conversion for a 7-3 lead.

Leader missed two late penalties in the first half to stretch Connacht’s advantage, but, after the westerners held their four-point advantage at the break, Ulster soon took control.

Olding slotted his second kick in the 63rd minute before his drop goal gave Ulster a 9-7 lead.

Leader could have edged it for Connacht late on, but his long-range penalty dropped inches wide to leave the champions winless.

CONNACHT: C Joyce; C Fitzgibbon, M Roche, R Casey, A OMeara; D Leader, B Digby; A Boland, J Connolly, J Dever; S OBrien, U Dillane; A Connaughton, P Maxwell, J Connolly. Replacements: R Keller for Casey (h-t), B Teape for Dever (54 mins), D Heath for Digby (74 mins).

ULSTER: R Scholes; R Adair, R Martin, C Farrell, D Busby; S Olding, J Creighton; J Caulfield, J Andrew, C Taylor; J Donnan, M Rea; C Joyce, M Clarke, B Alexander. Replacements: S Hooks for Clarke (32 mins), G Bartley for Rea (74 mins).

Referee: B OConnell (IRFU).

© 2012 The Irish Times

swift4prez wrote:

Ulster Rugby ‏@UlsterRugby
Big congrats to Ulster Schools who opened their inter-pro campaign with a 23-0 win over Connaght this afternoon

That is the schools team not the u20's in case your mixing the two up

Ulster Rugby ‏@UlsterRugby
Big congrats to Ulster Schools who opened their inter-pro campaign with a 23-0 win over Connaght this afternoon