Ireland AIB Club international squad named

A 38-man squad for the first AIB Club International between Ireland and Scotland in Donnybrook on Friday, March 10 was named today.

The game is part of the IRFU Community Rugby Programme that was launched at the beginning of the season game and gives non contracted club players the opportunity to win representative honours for Ireland and to showcase the club game at the highest possible level. The game will also be televised live by RTE with a 7.35pm kick off.

The initial squad has been selected throughout the AIB League season with club coaches asked to put forward names of opposition players that have impressed them.

Also, a five man team of selection advisors have been monitoring games and recommending players for consideration.

The recommendations of the club coaches and selection advisors were then narrowed down by the Ireland Management team of coach Geoff Moylan, manager Mick Galwey, assistant Coach Gerald McCarter, assistant manager Donal Brennan and former Ireland and British & Irish Lions prop Phil Orr, who is part of the management team and chairman of the selection Committee.

Ireland Squad for AIB Club International:

Forwards (22): Niall Carson (Clontarf), Frank Cogan (Cork Constitution), Niall Conlon (Dublin University), Kevin Corrigan (Lansdowne), James Coughlan (Dolphin), Matthew Crockett (Dublin University), Kevin Croke (UCD), Conor Hartigan (Buccaneers), Chris Henry (Malone), Les Hogan (Shannon), Anthony Kavanagh (Garryowen), Alan Maher (Lansdowne), Peter Malone (Garryowen), Rory McGrath (Dolphin), Mark Melbourne (Garryowen), Cillian O’Byrne (St.Mary’s College), David Quinlan (Buccaneers), Donncha Ryan (Shannon), Thomas Ryan (Cork Constitution), Simon Shawe (Ballymena), Robert Sweeney (Clontarf), Marc Warburton (Dublin University).

Backs (16): Eoin Burke (Barnhall), David Delaney (Shannon), Stephen Grissing (UCD), Cronan Healy (Cork Constitution), Denis Hurley (UCC), Gerry Hurley (Garryowen), Derek Keane (Clontarf), Richard McCarter (City of Derry), James McGrugan (Ballymena), David McKechnie (Greystones), Niall O’Brien (Clontarf), Ciaran O’Boyle (Garryowen), Breiffne O’Donnell (Clontarf), Fiach O’Loughlin (Clontarf), Gareth Steenson (Dungannon), Glen Telford (Dungannon).