Cian Butler to captain Ireland against Italy tomorrow

Portlaoise RFC’s Cian Butler has been picked to captain the Ireland U/18 Clubs team to play Italy U/18 in the second match of their mini-tour tomorrow.

On Wednesday Ireland lost the first test 31-17 having trailed 21-17 at half time. Tries from Eoin O’Doherty, Andrew Henson, and Charlie Dineen and a conversion from James Curry gave Ireland their points.

What a proud day this will be for Cian, his parents Paul and Diane and his club.

Speaking about the second test match Head Coach Jamie Kirk said: “Building on the experience from the first test against Italy, the team is hugely excited ahead of the second test on Saturday. This upcoming match offers the players a valuable chance to review performance and implement learning, making it a key step in their ongoing development.” The game will be played in the Stadio Gianni Visentin, at 1pm Irish time.

TEAM Andrew Henson (Buccaneers RFC/Marist College/Connacht Rugby); Ryan McDowell (Larne RFC/Larne GS/Ulster Rugby), Ferdia O’Braonain (Corinthians RFC/Coláiste Chroí Mhuire/Connacht Rugby), Finn O’Dwyer (Kanturk RFC/ Millstreet Community School/Munster Rugby), Harry Waters (Ratoath RFC/Navan RFC/Ratoath College/Leinster Rugby); James Curry (Wicklow RFC/East Glendalough School/Leinster Rugby), James Brugger (Kinsale RFC/Bruce College, Cork/ Munster Rugby); Kailin Blessing (Buccaneers RFC/Marist College/Connacht Rugby); Sean Glennon (Ballinasloe RFC/Garbally College/Connacht Rugby), Anthony Ukagwu (Boyne RFC/St Mary’s Diocesan, Drogheda/Leinster Rugby); Pasha Thiam (Corinthians RFC/Colaiste Einde/Connacht Rugby), Cian Butler (Portlaoise RFC/St Mary’s CBS Portlaoise/Leinster Rugby); Alex Kerr (Sale Sharks/St. Anselm’s College/IQ Rugby), Shane McGuigan (Longford RFC/Wilson’s Hospital School/Leinster Rugby), Alex Carter (Navan RFC/Leinster Rugby).

Replacements: Eoin O’Doherty (Wexford Wanderers RFC/Good Counsel College, New Ross/Leinster Rugby), Jack Power (MU Barnhall RFC/Lucan Community College/Leinster Rugby), Leo Anic (Creggs RFC/CBS Roscommon/Connacht Rugby), Tomás Crotty (Dungarvan RFC/Meánscoil San Nioclás/Munster Rugby), Harvey Leonard (Sale Sharks/Ellesmere College/IQ Rugby), Conor Butler (Naas RFC/Naas CBS/Leinster Rugby), Fergus Callington (Harlequins FC/Whitgift School/IQ Rugby), Matthew Callaghan (Ards RFC/Regent House/Ulster Rugby), Andrew Jackson (Banbridge RFC/Banbridge Academy/Ulster Rugby), Michael Bolger (Suttonians RFC/St Fintan’s High School/Leinster Rugby), Dylan Rice (Ballina RFC/ St Gerald’s College/Connacht Rugby).

Additional Squad Member: Charlie Dinneen (Newcastle Falcons/Sedbergh School/IQ Rugby).

Ireland U/18 Club Management: Jamie Kirk – Head Coach; Johne Murphy – Assistant Coach; Ken Moore – Assistant Coach; Anthony McKibben – Team Manager; Mark Synnott – Athletic Development Coach; Martin Dunlop – Team Physio; Dr. Padraigh Sheeran – Team Doctor; Alan Doonan – Team Analyst; Maxi McDonald – Team Logistics.