Selectors take the traditional route

THE IRELAND Under-18 schools squad to play in the Six Nations competition in Cork next week has been announced. There are some well deserved selections, such as Methodist College centre Michael Allen, but judging from overall selection, along with the Ireland Under-19 squad, the criteria for inclusion leans more towards reputation than form during the recent schools' cup competitions.

Brian O'Hara, from Presentation, Cork, will captain the team.

St Mary's winger Ray Crotty, who pulled a hamstring in the Leinster Schools Cup final defeat to Belvedere College on March 16th, is an injury worry.

In a strange tournament structure, Ireland play Wales next Wednesday, England the following Saturday and Italy on Tuesday, April 1st, all at Musgrave Park. There are no fixtures against France or Scotland.

Admission is free.

SQUAD: Backs (12) - Michael Allen (Methodist College), Mark Atkinson (Grosvenor Grammar School), Jason Bloomfield (Coleraine Academical Institution), Ray Crotty (St Mary's College), Diarmuid McCarthy (Castletroy College), Michael Kelleher (St Munchin's College), Luke Marshall (Ballymena Academy), James McKinney (Campbell College), David McSharry (Templeogue College), David O'Driscoll (PBC, Cork), Noel Reid (St Michael's College), Nevin Spence (Wallace High School). Forwards (14) - Niall Annett (Methodist College), Richard Bent (St Mary's College), Denis Buckley (Blackrock College), Patrick Butler (Rockwell College), Risteard Byrne (Terenure College), Brian Cagney (PBC, Cork), Brian Hayes (CBC, Cork), Ben Marshall (St Andrew's College), Martin Moore (Castleknock College), David O'Callaghan (Midleton College), Jack O'Connell (Clongowes Wood College), Brian O'Hara (PBC, Cork, capt), Paul Pritchard (Ballymena Academy), Dominic Ryan (Gonzaga College).

© 2008 The Irish Times

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