#7 Steven Gardiner

Ireland Under 20s

gpfoto

Professional Sports Photography

JWC 14 Auckland New Zealand 2 gpfoto

gpfoto 3

4 gpfoto

gpfoto 5

6 gpfoto

gpfoto 7

8 gpfoto

gpfoto 9

10 gpfoto

gpfoto 11

12 gpfoto

gpfoto 13

14 gpfoto

gpfoto 15

16 gpfoto

gpfoto 17

18 gpfoto

gpfoto 19

20 gpfoto

gpfoto 21

22 gpfoto

Munster academy player has been outstanding throughout the competition and if Ireland

exorbitant.

England Under-20s stand between Ireland and IRB Junior World Cup final

were to lose another one of their first choice players, it would put a massive dent in their

It should be noted that the Baby Blacks’ running lines and offloading were of a very high

Garry Ringrose has been the stand-out performer in number 13 jersey

hopes of reaching the final.Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s game, Ruddock insisted that

standard. They had the game’s best player in outhalf Richard Mo’unga, the catalyst for

Gavin Cummiskey

his side are not getting ahead of themselves. “We’re not getting carried away. It’s a really

their best moments, ably supported by fullback Damian McKenzie and a superstar in the

The Ringrose clan, St Michael’s College and UCD can take the most satisfaction from

good achievement to reach the semi-finals, but we know there’s a lot of work to be done

making, left wing Tevita Li.

this odyssey. That’s what any journey to the penultimate stages of a rugby tournament

yet.”It’s been a real team effort all the way through. Jack O’Donoghue, I think, deserves a

Ireland too were bolstered by some exceptional performances, notably fullback Cian Kelle-

in New Zealand deserves to be called. It has been fraught with peril and still, somehow,

special mention as captain. He’s led from the front and has rallied his troops superbly,” said

her, who had a marvellous game, so too Frankie Taggart while Ireland’s centre pairing of

Mike Ruddock’s Ireland team are in a World Cup semi-final against England. Considering

Ruddock. “Look, let’s see what happens. If we can make a final, then we might start talking

Harrison Brewer and Garry Ringrose had moments of quality too.

tomorrow’s opponent beat them 33-9 at Franklin’s Gardens in February the coming power

about being a bit more of a special group.”If we can win the World Cup then definitely they

Individually and collectively, the pack excelled in the set-piece and also in carrying ball into

surge may prove overwhelming.

can talk about being a special group. But at the moment it’s just another game and we’ve

contact. They ran to a standstill, until there was nothing but lactic acid left in the muscles.

But it’s some feat to get this far without three off the best underage players in the country

got to front up and continue to improve,” he added.Ruddock’s men will also be looking for

Ireland’s performance in those opening 40 minutes broached both ends of the spectrum,

– Dan Leavy, Seán O’Brien and Peter Robb, while David Busby is another injury-enforced

revenge for their 33-9 defeat in the Six Nations in February this year.”England, the current

porously brittle in defence contrasting with some exquisite attacking patterns, the product

absence.

World champions, are our next opponents and it doesn’t get any bigger than that. They

of excellent footwork and intelligent support lines.

Leavy, then O’Brien were named captain. Adversity does strange things to young men and

will be confident after beating us in the Six Nations, but we have improved since then.

The defence though was a massive issue and while New Zealand’s ability to shift the ball in

Jack O’Donoghue has proved an inspirational, albeit third choice, skipper.

Nothing less than our ‘A’ game will do.”Regardless of what happens in Auckland tomorrow,

the tackle and run clever inside trail lines, Ireland’s first up defence was weak and directly

Granted, they have yet to beat a major Southern Hemisphere opponent and did lose to

Ireland are guaranteed their best ever finish at the Junior World Championship, but given

responsible for all three tries during that period.

France but they have reached this juncture by scoring tries. From the big picture perspec-

the competitive nature of this current crop, they will be hoping to go one better.IRELAND

New Zealand outhalf Richard Mo’unga - he carried the ball in two hands and offered a

tive this crop looks set to yield some decent professionals. “Brian O’Brien, who used to

IRELAND V ENGLAND,LIVE, TOMORROW, SKY SPORTS 2, 6.05AM Irish Independent

constant running threat - made the initial incision, running 15 metres before offloading to

Sat, Jun 14, 2014, 01:00

be manager of the senior Irish side, used to say if you got three internationals out of an

the supporting Tevita Li to sprint under the Irish posts.

under-21 squad you are doing really well,” said Mark McDermott, coach of the 2004 side

Mike Ruddock rings the changes for Ireland U-20s third place play-off with All

The second was equally disappointing from an Irish perspective. Ireland were pedestrian,

that reached the Junior world cup final. Injury permitting, Leavy should come again but the

Blacks

right wing Ciaran Gaffney an exception, in chasing a Ross Byrne up and under. New

Leinster think tank already saw enough of Ross Molony to promote him right out of school.

Mike Ruddock has made a number changes to his Ireland Under-20s side for tomorrow’s

Zealand fullback Damien McKenzie did brilliantly to catch and offload, despite being hit in

Last year he led St Michael’s to the Leinster Schools Senior Cup final, losing to a Blackrock

third place play-off at the IRB Junior World Championship.

the air by Gaffney. Li breezed past a couple of tacklers and this time it was the left wing

side inspired by Garry Ringrose, but his age didn’t stop Girvan Dempsey making full use of

Jack O’Donoghue has been ruled out of the game against host nation New Zealand as he

that passed to Mo’unga for the try. Li’s second try was also down to ragged Irish defence,

his growth spurt. In the recent British and Irish Cup final against a bunch of grizzled semi-

continues to observe to the ‘return to play’ concussion protocols following a knock in the

rank tackling and a clever inside pass from New Zealand scrumhalf Mitchell Drummond.

pros from Leeds Carnegie, Ben Marshall was helped ashore after seven minutes. Molony

semi-final defeat to England.

McKenzie converted all three.

arrived and was the outstanding forward in Donnybrook that night. An English enforcer

Peadar Timmins will captain the side in his absence.

with the ball was of a very high standard, from their excellent rolling maul to a powerful

even tried roughing him up and while he didn’t retaliate you could see he will the next time.

The backrow sees Timmins joined by Rory Moloney, who is named at openside flanker with

scrum and the facility of several individuals to beat the first tackle; Kelleher shone like a

Like Ringrose, he has put on noticeable muscle and there is more to come.

Frank Taggart moving to number eight.

beacon in this respect

UCD have six players in the squad but St Michael’s arrival as a serious rugby nursery

Dylan Donnellan and Oisin Heffernan both make their first starts of the tournament partner-

Ireland were correctly awarded a penalty try by French referee Alexandre Ruiz after the

is reflected by the presence of Cian Kelleher, Ross Byrne, Nick McCarthy and Molony.

ing Peter Dooley in the front row with Darragh Moloney named in the second row alongside

shunted the New Zealand eight back over their line from a scrum, while the second came

Leavy also went there and Josh Murphy just missed the bench as Ruddock went with

Ross Molony.

from a Ringrose break, and the neat footballing skills and dexterity of outstanding tighthead

former Roscrea flanker Darragh Moloney.

TG4 will broadcast this game live on Friday morning (6.05am Irish time) ahead of the final.

prop Oisin Heffernan.

Meanwhile, Victor Matfield will become the most-capped South African player of all time

Ireland led 23-21 at the interval and on the balance of play in that first half it was no more

Interestingly, of the 14 Leinster players in the match day squad only two are listed in the

when the giant lock leads the Springboks in the second Test against Wales in Nelspruit

than the visitors deserved. It’s been a gruelling tournament from a physical perspective

province’s academy. That’s one of those good problems enhanced by this success. And

on Saturday.

and there would have been a concern about whether the Irish side could last the pace.

regardless of the result here, this has been a success.

When he takes to the pitch, the 37-year-old will beak the record of 2007 World Cup-winning

They couldn’t, despite the collective bravery and character displayed, supplemented by

They have a real chance of making the final but England crushed Italy (63-3), beat Aus-

skipper John Smit with his 112th appearance for the side as South Africa look to wrap up

the periodic arrival of fresh legs. Ireland’s defence remained a fundamental issue and

tralia (38-24) and survived Argentina (17-16). Their heavy artillery should prove decisive.

the two-Test series.

New Zealand exploited it with a further four tries from James Tucker, Lachlan Boshier,

has really impressed in the 13 jersey.

There are no stars in this team but Ringrose

A Blackrock centre retires another one arrives.

First published:Thu, Jun 19, 2014, 01:00

Harrison Brewer is named in the centre along with Garry Ringrose.

And France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has recalled versatile back

Yet for all Ireland’s shortcomings in defence, their work

Outhalf Ross Byrne kicked three penalties and two conversions;

Hugo Bonneval and flanker Fulgence Ouedraogo to the starting side for the third and final

Drummond and the game’s outstanding performer Mo’unga.

Irish Under 20s face Kiwis for third place

Test against Australia in Sydney, as Les Bleus bid to avoid a series sweep.

The harsh glare of the scoreboard was tough on the Irish boys, the discrepancy in points’

Coach Mike Ruddock has made a number of changes for the bronze medal match

Beaten 6-0 in Melbourne last Saturday, France have already lost the series 2-0, but have

terms a product of tired minds and limbs. Ireland went down to New Zealand minus half

Wed, Jun 18, 2014, 16:31

retained a strong side for the match at Sydney Football Stadium with the hope of ending a

a dozen front-line players and lost their captain and pivotal performer Jack O’Donoghue

The Irish Under-20 side to face New Zealand Under-20’s in the 3rd place play-off of the

24-year losing streak on Australian soil.

to concussion. They should be proud of what they achieved but it make take a day or two

IRB Junior World Championship has been named.

for that to sink in.

Head Coach Mike Ruddock has made a number changes to the side that lost out to En-

Ireland U-20 suffer second half blackwash at Eden Park

England later defended their IRB Junior World Championship title with a thrilling 21-20 win

gland in the semifinal match. Jack O’Donoghue has been ruled out of the game as he

Mike Ruddock’s side finish in fourth place overall in the agegrade World Championship

over South Africa at Eden Park.

continues to observe to the ‘return to play’ concussion protocols. Peadar Timmins will

There was a consolation for South African captain Handre Pollard, after he was voted IRB

captain the side.

Ireland’s Cian Kelleher had an outstanding game against New Zealand.

Junior Player of the Year.

The back row sees Timmins joined by Rory Moloney, who is named at openside flanker

Fri, Jun 20, 2014, 10:05

Scoring sequence

with Frank Taggart moving to number 8. Dylan Donnellan and Oisin Heffernan both make

New Zealand U-20 45 Ireland U-20 23: It was half a match too far for a battered and belea-

7 mins: Li try, McKenzie conversion, 7-0; 9: Byrne penalty, 7-3; 12: Byrne penalty, 7-6;

their first start of the tournament partnering Peter Dooley in the front row with Darragh

guered Ireland team that once again demonstrated cameos of rich quality but succumbed

19: Mo’unga try, McKenzie conversion, 14-6; 23: Penalty try, Byrne conversion, 14-13;

Moloney named in the second row alongside Ross Moloney. Harrison Brewer is named in

to the physical wear and tear of a long tournament. This was Ireland’s highest ever finish

26: Byrne penalty, 14-16; 28: Li try, McKenzie conversion, 21-16; 30: Heffernan try, Byrne

the centre along with Garry Ringrose. TG4 will broadcast this game live on Friday morning

and given the obstacles they overcame they deserve nothing but praise for their efforts.

conversion, 21-23. Half-time: 21-23. 48: Tucker try, 26-23; 67: Drummond try, McKenzie

(6.05am Irish Time) ahead of the IRB JWC Final

This though was a brutal lesson.

try, 33-23; 71: Mo’unga try, McKenzie conversion, 40-23; 79: Boshier try, 45-23.

Ireland defied the odds to reach the semi-finals of the Junior World Championship

New Zealand scored seven tries to two, a stark statistic that suggests a contest of a certain

Referee: Alexandre Ruiz (France)

for the first time, having come through a daunting pool in which they lost their opening

ilk in this Under-20 World Championship third and fourth place play-off game but it would

game.

be a misnomer. Ireland led 23-21 at the interval and if they somehow could have found a

Mike Ruddock’s side will take on defending champions England tomorrow at QBE Stadi-

panacea to brittle defence, they might have gone mighty close against their hosts.

um, in Auckland at 6.05am (Irish time).England topped their pool undefeated and will be

Ireland lost this game because of technically poor defence. The defensive line resembled

brimming with confidence, especially given that they beat Ireland 33-9 in the Six Nations

an S-bend more often than not and instead of going low and putting the New Zealand ball

earlier this year.Ireland are sweating over the fitness of their inside centre Dan Goggin.The

carrier, Ireland went too high against physically more powerful opponents. The price was

Name CLUB Position Rory Burke Cork Constitution Prop Denis Coulson Carlow / Lansdowne Prop Peter Dooley Lansdowne Prop Oisin Heffernan Lansdowne Prop Craig Trenier Terenure College Prop Max Abbott Cork Constitution Hooker Jack Dinneen Galwegians Hooker Dylan Donnellan University College Dublin Hooker Stephen Gardiner Lansdowne Lock Darragh Moloney Cork Constitution Lock Ross Molony University College Dublin Lock Diarmaid Dee Young Munster Back Row Rory Moloney Buccaneers Back Row Josh Murphy University College Dublin Back Row Jack O’Donoghue UL Bohemians Back Row Frank Taggart Belfast Harlequins Back Row Peadar Timmins University College Dublin Back Row Ryan Foley Cork Constitution Scrumhalf Nick McCarthy University College Dublin Scrumhalf Ross Byrne University College Dublin Flyhalf Conor McKeon Lansdowne Flyhalf Harrison Brewer Terenure College Centre Dan Goggin Y oung Munster Centre Garry Ringrose University College Dublin Centre Ian Fitzpatrick Lansdowne Wing Cian Kelleher Lansdowne Wing Alex Wootton Garryowen Wing Billy Dardis University College Dublin Fullback Ciaran Gaffney Galwegians Fullback

Fixtures & Results Date Venue 02 Jun 17:35 France 19 - 13 Ireland QBE Stadium, Auckland 06 Jun 17:35 Wales 21 - 35 Ireland ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe 10 Jun 13:35 Ireland 38 - 0 Fiji QBE Stadium, Auckland 15 Jun 17:05 England 42 - 15 Ireland QBE Stadium, North Harbour 20 Jun 17:05 Ireland 23 - 45 New Zealand Eden Park, Auckland IRELAND Seeding for 2014 JWC: 8 Best finish: Fifth (2012) Worst finish: Ninth (2008, 2010) JWC match record: Played 30/Won 14/Lost 16 JWC points/tries scored: 707/73

Fixtures & Results Date Team A Result Team B Venue

02 Jun 17:35 France 19 - 13 Ireland QBE Stadium, Auckland 06 Jun 17:35 Wales 21 - 35 Ireland ECOLight Stadium, Pukekohe 10 Jun 13:35 Ireland 38 - 0 Fiji QBE Stadium, Auckland 15 Jun 17:05 England 42 - 15 Ireland QBE Stadium, North Harbour 20 Jun 17:05 Ireland 23 - 45 New Zealand Eden Park, Auckland

gpfoto

Professional Sports Photography