Diom wrote: Mind if we use that on the site pcoyle? It's not from a news-site?

It's from the Connacht Domestic site (don't think it'd be a major issue, just link-back)

domestic.connachtrugby.ie/201208302280/c...t-u20-19-italy-u20-8

They've also posted up a report of the U-18's fixture the previous day against Irish Exiles at Stockport RFC (Greater Manchester)

domestic.connachtrugby.ie/201208292279/e...8-22-connacht-u18-17

Who Knew it was even on..???

Mind if we use that on the site pcoyle? It's not from a news-site?

Match report..

Connacht U20’s continued their preparations for the interprovincial series with a comfortable 19-8 win over their Italian counterparts at the Sportsground last Wednesday.

An early surge from the kick-off saw Connacht put pressure on the visiting defence and out-half Darragh Leader was unlucky to be brought down metres from the try line after just two minutes.

Connacht kept the foot on the gas and after ten minutes of concerted pressure a Phil O’Neil kick-through was fielded in an off-side position by the Italian defence and Leader put the resulting penalty into touch just outside 5m line.

Connacht won the line-out and from the resulting maul powered forward. Prop Adam Boland was in control as he crashed over for the first try of the day. Darragh Leader added the two points to put the U20’s 7-0 up.

The home side continued to dominate the first half and carried that dominance into the second half when just before the break prop Adam Boland scored Connacht’s second try after a catch and drive from another close-range lineout. The difficult conversion was missed in the strong wind but Connacht held a commanding 12-0 lead.

Italy’s out-half Filippo Buscema attempted a penalty kick five minutes into the second half but the wind drew the ball just wide. That was the start of a period of significant Italian dominance and, 15 minutes later fullback Alessandro Torlai scored Italy’s first points from a penalty kick in front of the posts.

Connacht responded well and some slick passing and aggressive ball-carrying left replacement prop John Conroy free to race in for the third try of the day. Leader added the conversion to seal the game for Connacht.

A mix up on the sideline left 16 players on the pitch and as a result, the good efforts which led to Aidan Connaughton’s ‘try’ were in vain and, with just seconds left on the clock, Italy rumbled forward with a rolling maul and replacement Samuel Seno was at the back to claim Italy’s only try of the match.

The final score at the Sportsground Connacht U20 19 – Italy U20 8

Was wondering was Adam Boland any relation to Callum Boland? Good to hear about O'Brien hopefully he can step up now.

Leinster did not have first refusal on him..He plays his schools rugby with Roscrea and has stepped up from Connacht 18's last year to captain the 20's this year..

Keith Matthews is the backs coach for Connacht 20's..Team sheet from yesterday listed below and Inter-pro fixtures..

1 Adam Boland
2 Jason Connolly
3 Bryan Teape
4 Sean O’Brien (c)
5 Mick Mannion
6 Aidan Connaughton
7 Paul Maxwell
8 James Connolly
9 Barry Digby
10 Darragh Leader
11 Phil O’Neill
12 Ryan Casey
13 Mark Roche
14 Conor Fitzgibbon
15 Alex O’Meara

Replacements from

16 Niall Fitzgerald
17 John Conroy
18 Saba Meunargia
19 Jacob Walshe
20 David Heath
21 Joe Bercis
22 Cathal Murtagh
23 Ryan Sheridan
24 Marc Cleary
25 Conor Joyce


Connacht U20 Interprovincial Fixtures
Munster v Connacht, Friday, 7th September, Musgrave Park, Cork, ko 7.30pm
Connacht v Ulster, Friday, 14th September, Dubarry Park, Athlone, ko 5pm
Connacht v Leinster, Friday, 21st September, Sportsground, Galway, ko 3pm

forgot to say that the captain today was sean o brien. there was a bit of talk here about him before saying that leinster had first refusal on him, which ever way it worked out he's here now.

i noticed after the game that the one and only keith mathews was out on the pich. not sure if hes a coach now but he was there. in the coach pull over jacket so he might be working with the backs.

the connacht team stayed out on the pitch at half time, big huddle first, the the backs went into there own huddle and forwards did the same. i think this worked well for them as they score a try very quick after kick off. big difference to the usa colleges when they didnt play at all in the second half

sound swifty, yea he had a good game alright. Who was th 12? he was very good aswell.

From talking to a few of the parents on the terrace a lot of them are on 10 week training contracts which are ending shortly. They didnt seem to know what was happening after that but i assume the official acadamy will be announced( dont know how valid original announcements are).

They also told me that Robbie Henshaw is expected to start on saturday( by the u20 lads)!

rossie wrote: I assume o meara was 12?


2nd try was scored by the LH prop and he had a carry of 15 mtres to score.( looked like he would drop it for most of carry but he held on!).


Italians were poor and struggled at times to pass the ball to each other but imo were rattled early by the intensity and workrate of connacht pack at breakdown and in the tackle.

o meara was 15 and had a blinder, he made the break with the disallowed try, he was stopped when his jersey couldnt streach anymore.
yes the lh did juggle with the ball running for the line, no idea how it didnt drop. wet ball and all.
some off there passes were to noone on the wing, others way to high, dont no if this was the winds fault.

connachtexile. he came here first on a three month deal. im sure he will get a better deal when the 3 months are over

sorry about the delay internet went

does anyone know if Alex O'Meara is sub-academy or academy? Doesn't he have a twitter account?

I assume o meara was 12? I thought that dara Leader was impressive in the first half especially and looks a good prospect. 9,10, 11,12 and 13 were impressive as were 2, 6 and 7 in the loose.

The first try was scored by the Th from athlone off a rolling maul after leader went to the corner from a penalty.
2nd try was scored by the LH prop and he had a carry of 15 mtres to score.( looked like he would drop it for most of carry but he held on!).
3rd try was scored by the replacement TH carrying over from about 5m after good phase play from connacht.
The dissallowed try which was a fine effort by the 6 on the blind side but was ruled out because connacht had 16 players on the pitch at the time. The player leaving was slow to leave the field but neither he nor player who came on had any part to play in move but rules are rules.

If the connacht seniors play the game in the style that this u20 team did it will make for enjoyable season. they played some entertaining rugby and were controlled well from 10 by leader.

Italians were poor and struggled at times to pass the ball to each other but imo were rattled early by the intensity and workrate of connacht pack at breakdown and in the tackle. they never regained their composure and knocked on repeatedly in midfield. The connacht scrum was strong throughout also.
Lineout was again over complicated at times and i hope we see none of this nonsense saturday. This is a good team who are decent in all the basics and have good work rate and flair and pace at the back.
There was no team sheet available which is why i cant put names to the numbers.

just back in the door from the match. missed first 30mins due to stupid bus driver.

i missed the first try as that happened in the first half in hour. half time score 7-0

• i missed the first try as that happened in the first half in hour. half time score 7-0
• second try came early in the second half, great break from alex o meara at full back and finished of by the prop playing loose.

• then a scrum happened in from of me, interested to see the loosehead playing tighthead and vice versa.
• then again o meara broke the game line yet again and passed it out the wing 15metre out another pass and we scored a disallowed try, none of the players know why.

• after great pressure in the last 3mins of the game the italian team managed to jump over the line.
• there has to be alot of reserve players into this team to give us a chance in the b+i this year. too many mistakes but need more game time

my man of the match goes to alex o meara

Thanks, hope the advertiser has a report tommorow

19-8 for the baby eagles

Any body know what happened?

GTTC wrote: So there is a u-20 game at 3pm today?

Yes v Italy U-19's...

So there is a u-20 game at 3pm today?