Sean o'connor irl u20 proof #2

U20 CHAMPIONSHIP 2016

Ireland U20s

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Ireland have named a squad for the World Rugby U20 Championships [or World Cup] that is a mix of

experience and startling potential.

Nigel Carolan has named a 28-man squad, including five uncapped players, for the upcoming championship in Manchester.

Leinster’s James Ryan captains a squad that will see Bill Johnston, Vincent O’Brien, Evan Mintern [all Munster] and the Leinster duo of Vakh Abdaladze and David Aspil all seeking their first U20 caps. Three of the squad - Andrew Porter, Adam McBurney and Jacob Stockdale - were involved in last year’s U20 World Championships in Italy.

Ireland share Pool A with Wales, New Zealand and Georgia and open their campaign on June 7 against the Welsh.

The final Pool A game, against Georgia, may see Abdaladze play the country of his birth. The Leinster prop moved to Ireland with his family, and his rugby-playing father, and began his rugby journey here when he joined Coolmine RFC at the age of 12. Carolan says: “We are certainly in one of the toughest pools. Wales are coming off the back of a Six Nations Grand Slam and New Zealand come into the competition as defending champions while the Georgians are always a very physical side so it is a big challenge for us.

“However, we have a very ambitious group of players that have prepared well so we are looking forward to giving it our best shot.”

IRELAND U20 SQUAD Forwards • Andrew Porter (UCD / Leinster) • James Bollard (DUFC (Trinity College) / Leinster) • Vakh Abdaladze (Clontarf / Leinster)* • Adam McBurney (Ballymena / Ulster) • Vincent O’Brien (Cork Con / Munster)* • Conor Kenny (Buccaneers / Connacht) • Benn Betts (Young Munster / Munster) • Cillian Gallagher (Sligo / Connacht) • James Ryan (Lansdowne / Leinster) (Capt.)

• Sean O’Connor (Cashel / Munster) • Evan Mintern (Cork Con / Munster)* • Greg Jones (UCD / Leinster) • Will Connors (UCD / Leinster) • Max Deegan (Lansdowne / Leinster) • Kelvin Brown (Shannon / Munster) • David Aspil (UCD / Leinster)* Backs • Stephen Kerins (Sligo / Connacht) • Niall Saunders (Epsom College) • Bill Johnston (Garryowen / Munster)* • Johnny McPhillips (QUB / Ulster) • Conor O’Brien (Clontarf / Leinster) • Shane Daly (Cork Con / Munster) • Jimmy O’Brien (UCD / Leinster • Paul Kiernan (UCC / Munster) • Jacob Stockdale (Belfast Harlequins / Ulster) • Terry Kennedy (St. Mary’s / Leinster)

• •

Hugo Keenan (UCD / Leinster) Matthew Byrne (Terenure / Leinster)

Ireland produce incredible comeback to get World U20 Championships off to a flyer

With 19 minutes gone Grand Slam champions Wales had a 17-point lead and Nigel Carolan’s Wolfpuppies were on the ropes.

There were four uncapped players in the Ireland starting XV for this World U20 Championship opener in Manchester and it seemed like a chastening experience was on the cards for these debutants.

But the Irish side summoned the spirit that saw them fight back so incredibly in the second half of the U20 Six Nations game against England in February.

There must be something in the air when the Wolfpuppies go to England because just like that night at Kingston Park when all seemed lost the Irish side came to life.

Tries from Ulster duo Adam McBurney and Jacob Stockdale brought Ireland to within two points of the Welsh at the interval.

Wales extended their lead to five points with a penalty shortly after the restart.

But then Ireland took control.

Munster out-half Bill Johnston then kicked two penalties to give Ireland a slender lead.

Ireland smelt blood now and Jacob Stockdale crossed in the corner to extend the advantage to six points.

Wales showed their class in the final moments, piling on the pressure and eventually piercing the massed Irish defence when Keelan Giles touched down in the corner.

But Jarrod Evans was unable to land the conversion from the touchline and Ireland held on to get their campaign off to a perfect star.

Next up are the All Blacks on Saturday.

The drought is over! Ireland U20 upset New Zealand to claim historic scalp

Ireland U20 33 New Zealand 24 Independent.ie PUBLISHED11/06/2016 | 15:12

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: Sam Noc of New Zealand tackles Adam McBurney of Ireland during the World Rugby U20 Championship match between New Zealand and Ireland at The Academy Stadium on June 11, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images) An Irish men’s team have finally taken the biggest scalp of all after Ireland U20 beat the New Zealand 33-24 in a dramatic pool encounter at the Junior World Cup. Nigel Carolan’s men came into today’s clash buoyed by a brilliant opening win over Grand Slam champions Wales and the three-try victory over New Zealand U20 all but guarantees Ireland’s place in the semi-final.

Jordi Barrett - brother of All Black Beauden - gave New Zealand an early lead with a try, before Shaun Stevenson added another five-pointer after collecting his own kick.

Facing an eight-point deficit, things didn’t look good for Ireland but amazingly they hit back with two tries from rolling mauls to hold a 2014 lead at the break.

Greg Jones and Adam McBurney were the scorers.

Johnny McPhillips extended Ireland’s lead to nine early in the second half and although the Baby Blacks reduced the deficit with an unconverted try from Malo Tuitama, Carolan’s men replied through back row Max Deegan, who burrowed over in the corner following a dominant push from the scrum.

That gave Ireland an 11-point lead following McPhillips’ brilliant touchline conversion but Tuitama responded with another unconverted try in the corner to reduce the cushion to six.

Frantic defence followed as heroic Irish tacklers continuously repelled the men in black, before the scrum earned a clinching penalty, which McPhillips converted.

There was time for the Baby Blacks to launch one more attack, but Ireland held firm to record a famous victory.

Ireland U20s into World Championship semi-finals after win over gutsy Georgia

Nigel Carolan’s men face Argentina in Monday’s semi final.

Tom Rooney PUBLISHED15/06/2016

15 June 2016; Sean O’Connor of Ireland is tackled during the World Rugby U-20 Championships match between Ireland and Georgia at Manchester City Academy Stadium in Manchester, England. Photo by Matt McNulty/Sportsfile The Ireland Under 20s have progressed to the semi-finals of the World Championships in Manchester after scoring four unanswered tries en route to a handsome victory over a gritty Georgian outfit.

Ireland U20s 35 7 Georgia U20s Following on from their outstanding wins over Wales and New Zealand, Nigel Carolan’s men regrouped after conceding an early try to overcome the Georgians, who were reduced to 14 men after just eight minutes.

Ireland will face Argentina in Monday’s penultimate round, while England take on the Springboks.

Georgia came out the blocks impressively and were 7-0 ahead by the fifth minute when captain Vasil Lobzhanidze crossed over before Davit Modzgvrishvili slotted the conversion.

Ireland quickly returned the favour as winger Hugo Keenan finished off an excellent collective effort. Before the conversion could be taken the referee consulted the TMO and then dismissed Spanderashvili for striking out at Ireland second row Sean O’Connor.

Johnny McPhilips sent over the conversion thereafter, but Georgia weren’t prepared to wilt at the first sign of adversity. McPhillips added to his tally with a pair of penalties.

The fly-half continued to punish the Georgians and, just before the turn, converted his own try, giving Ireland a 20-7 lead. It was only then that the Georgians looked a spent force.

After the break Ireland pulled away as Terry Kennedy crossed over to cap off another fine team move, which was prefaced by another penalty from the boot of McPhillips.

In the final seconds prop Andrew Porter dotted down and Brett Cannon added the points. In the other Pool game, the All Blacks beat Wales by a single point.

Jacob Stockdale’s high speed Ireland U20 try

was a joy to behold We have an Irish team that are not afraid to tear into their opponents from anywhere and everywhere on the pitch.

Ireland have taken a stupendous fight, and flight, to their World Rugby U20 Championship semi-final against Argentina.

Having already done for Wales, New Zealand and Georgia, Ireland entered the last four clash with heaps of confidence.

They opened up the young Pumas and scored first-half tries through Jacob Stockdale [2] and Max Deegan.

Stockdale’s second was sumptuous. Ireland claimed a lineout and zipped the ball right to left. Hugo Keenan’s inside step beat two men and his offload found a flying Stockdale.

The Ulster fullback ate up the grass and stepped his opposite number at speed to get over for a converted score that had Ireland poised for a spot in the final.

It’s our pleasure to rate Ireland’s U20 heroes after their World Champi-

onships masterclass From 17-0 down in their opening match, Ireland U20s have barely missed a step. In Manchester, this evening, they tore Argentina apart to reach their first ever World Rugby U20 Championship final.

Ireland ran in three first half tries and finished the young Pumas off through the excellent Johnny McPhillips.

Nigel Carolan’s side played the perfect match and got the early try they needed, through Jacob Stockdale, to settle the nerves. Man of the match Max Deegan then ripped a turnover and laced home from 80 metres out and Stockdale’s fine second put them 21-0 clear.

Argentina got a try back just before the break but Ireland had far too much for them and a Shane Daly converted try made it 37-7. They now await the winners of South Africa and England in the final. Here’s how we rated the Irish lads: Jacob Stockdale - 9 Has already made his senior appearance for Ulster and many, many more should follow. Simply too much for Argentina. Constantly made ground when he had the ball. Dived over for Ireland’s opening score and his step, at high speed, for his second was glorious.

Matthew Byrne - 7 An awful lot of Ireland’s feints went up the left wing but Byrne made a couple of nice contributions with ball in hand. Strong defence, too, when Argentina had their tails up either side of the break.

Shane Daly - 8 Has enjoyed a fine championship and kept that up today. Nice awareness to keep one attack alive and set up Stockdale’s first. Slick hands and a hefty tackler when required. Handy intercept try at the death to seal an emphatic win.

Conor O’Brien - 7 The quietest of the Irish backline but no major errors and he certainly hit his fair share of tackles and rucks. Seamless partnership with Daly.

Hugo Keenan - 8 Exceptional prospect. Lovely footwork and offload for Stockdale’s second. Argentina could not get a read on him and, when they did, struggled to box him in.

Johnny McPhillips - 9 His skillset is something else. Not afraid to go with flick passes or offloads. Only missed one kick and landed two conversions from the touchline. Great crossfield kick for Stockdale’s first try. Chipped in with a 50-metre penalty for good measure.

Stephen Kerins - 8 The sole Connacht starter but a lad that will press for senior selection at his province if he keeps up this form. Skip passes and well timed pops to put his men through gaps.

Andrew Porter - 9 This young lad is surely set for World Rugby Team of the Tournament.

A powerhouse in the scrum - toying with the Argentinean front row.

Superb at the breakdown too.

Adam McBurney - 7 Argentina had his dance-card marked. Shut down from making those bolting carries but he kept looking for the ball after taking some big hits. Lineout throwing was flawless.

Ben Betts - 8 The Munster tighthead was not first choice coming into this tournament but he has excelled. Ground down his opposite number and won his team penalties in both twenty-twos.

Sean O’Connor - 7 Backed up his front row well, claimed a couple of catches, carried faultlessly and delivered some big hits. Tidy.

James Ryan - 8 Called a lot of early lineout ball on him and it paid off. Hard carries all game and lusty tackles. An inspiration.

Greg Jones - 8 A real star in the making. Smart running lines saw him constantly make five yards and get his team on the front foot. Always looking to attack.

David Aspil - 7 The Leinster openside made what we often like to refer to as the hard yards. First receiver for a lot of ball and slashed into the Pumitas.

Max Deegan - 9 Sensational grip, rip and 80-metre dash to score one of the tournament’s best tries. A danger on so many significant carries. Tremendous footwork. One for the not too distant future.

Fantastic stuff.

Ireland’s Max Deegan named World U20s Best Player after tournament to remember Fair play to the Leinster forward but Harry Mallinder must wonder what else he has to do.

Ireland U20s announce team good enough to be world champions Fittingly, the U20 World Championship’s two best sides meet in the final.

Nigel Carolan has named an unchanged XV and bench for Saturday’s evening’s U20 World Championship final against hosts England, in Manchester.

Ireland will go into the final with a host of players in top form. Jacob Stockdale is scoring tries for fun, the front row of Andrew Porter, Adam McBurney and Ben Betts has been immense, James Ryan continues to inspire those around him, Johnny McPhillips has emerged as playmaker extraordinaire and Max Deegan’s performances have earned him a nomination as World Rugby Player of the Tournament.

Coach Carolan has praised his squad ahead of the biggest game of their fledgling careers. He said: “When this group of players came together for the Six Nations earlier this year, they showed a willingness and a desire to learn and grow together as a group. They have put in the hard work on and off the field this season and their reward for that is tomorrow evening’s final against England.

“All the players came through the game against Argentina on Monday and we have had a good few days of preparation so I think everyone is now just looking forward to getting the game underway tomorrow.”

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History-makers determined to finish the job and bring world title back to Ireland

Coach Carolan urges U-20s to treat final like any other game as second-row O’Connor bids to continue Tipperary’s rich legacy U-20 team-mates after scoring a late try against Argentina. Photo: Sportsfile This Irish U-20 squad on the cusp of history comes from every corner of the land and beyond, but lock Sean O’Connor has never had to look far for inspiration from his Cashel base in south Co Tipperary.

Or, to be more precise, from his Boherlahan/Dualla base outside Cashel, where he grew up with Irish legend Denis Leamy on his doorstep.

“He’s from the same parish. You would meet him every Sunday at mass. He’s a Dualla man, they have the sports centre in Dualla named after him. He is a big figure around Cashel,” said O’Connor.

His career really took off in Rockwell College, where Leamy was his coach, and three years on the senior team ended in glory in his final season when a team that also featured Bill Johnston won the Munster Senior Cup with victory over Ardscoil Ris. And while Tommy O’Donnell and Donnacha Ryan are also keeping the Tipperary flag flying with Munster and Ireland, O’Connor has plenty of advice available to him closer to home as Leinster forwards coach John Fogarty and his recently retired brother Denis, are first cousins. O’Connor’s emergence into a key figure in this Irish side for their maiden World Rugby U-20 Championship final, is just an example of the weaving and inter-twinning between past and present as coach Nigel Carolan assembles a side destined for glory in the future but with a link to the past. There are, after all, the sons of three former Irish internationals - Michael Kiernan, Rob Saunders and Terry Kennedy - in a squad that has had to deal with a lot of injuries throughout the year. “I was on the bench, didn’t get on, when we played England in Newcastle,” added O’Connor. “There are a lot of different faces on both teams, but it should be a good one. We just can’t wait for it now.”

The U-20 championship has gone largely unnoticed over the past few weeks in Manchester but a full house of around 11,000 is expected at the AJ Bell Stadium when England will be bidding for their third title in seven final appearances.

But coach Carolan has urged his men to play the game and not the occasion. They are on a roll since they defeated England in the Six Nations and have now won seven in a row.

Monday’s 37-7 win over Argentina, having won all three pool games for the first time in the nine-year history of the competition, has left them just 80 minutes from glory.

“Preparation has been really good. Lads have recovered well. It has been pretty low key. Our focus in our preparation is more about it being another game rather than try to prepare for the occasion,” said Carolan. “It’s very much about doing our homework, looking what worked well for us in the Argentina game and the little areas we can improve on. And then just little holes that we might be able to pick in the English defence. The lads are in good spirits.”

But Carolan admits that it is a big occasion for these young players in their careers and while he doesn’t want them to get caught up in the

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occasion, he has been urging his charges to enjoy every minute of it.

“It’s a milestone for all of us and for Irish rugby, to be in a world final.

They are very tight, they work hard for us, they get on very well and hopefully that team spirit and character can see them through.”

And having lost a man to injury in each of the three pool wins over Wales (26-25), New Zealand (33-24) and Georgia (35-7), he can name an unchanged side for the final.

England, who also had an indifferent Six Nations, have also been in top form in this competition and also won all three pool matches against Italy (48-10), Scotland (44-0) and Australia (17-13), before ousting South Africa 39-17 in the semi-finals on Monday night.

England skipper Harry Mallinder, who has made the breakthrough into the Northampton Saints side coached by his father Jim, said they had moved on from the Six Nations.

“We are not worrying too much about that Six Nations campaign.

There are a few new boys coming into the group and we have started again,” he said.

Indeed, England show eight changes from the side which went down 26-20 at Kingston Park in the Six Nations, having led 20-6 early in the second half. But the Irish side has also changed a lot - there are six changes to the starting 15 this evening from that game.

“We were behind a lot in that game against England and it was that high-risk, high-intensity rugby that enabled us to claw back that deficit.

“Now we have won seven from seven playing that way. That’s hopefully the way we are going to start the game, a high intensity game, shut England down and just impose ourselves on them. And hopefully that will be enough to get us across the line.

“It’s a great place to be in and just trying to prepare for another game rather than trying to prepare for a world stage.”

Ireland v England Live, Sky Sports 1 and TG4, 7.0

Dominant England blow Ireland away in U20 World Cup final

England 45 Ireland 21

Ireland’s hopes of glory in their first World Rugby U-20 Championship were blown away by a fired-up English side who were on top throughout to claim their third title in the grade, dominating throughout and running in six tries to Ireland’s three.

Ireland, having come from behind to win so many games, knew they needed to get in front and not allow England get an upperhand. But that never looked like materialising as England blitzed them from the start and raced into a 21-0 lead.

Irish No.8 Max Deegan denied Johnny Williams a try after five minutes but the relief was short-lived for Nigel Carolan’s men as England continued to pile forward with captain Harry Mallinder dictating the game and centre Joe Marchant also outstanding.

But the breakthrough for England came three minutes later when Marchant broke through for a fine try, which Mallinder converted.

They turned the screw up front, driving from a scrum to get their

second try from No.8 Callum Chick after 27 minutes, with Mallinder converting from the touchline for 14-0.

Ireland really needed to get the next score to have any chance but it was England who extended their lead through lock Huw Taylor, although there was a hint of a forward pass in the build-up.

That put England 21-0 in front at the break and Mallinder killed any notion of a comeback inside two minutes of the restart when he raced through to score before adding the extras.

Hooker Adam McBurney eventually got Ireland moving with a try off a lineout after 47 minutes and Johnny McPhillps converted.

But man of the match Mallinder, who finished with 25 points, got over for his second try and converted it to make it 35-7 in the third quarter.

Ireland never gave up and Shane Daly crossed after a superb break from deep by full-back Jacob Stockdale, with McPhillips converting to reduce the gap.

But then Ireland scrum-half Stephen Kerins was binned for blocking and while Ireland initially only conceded the score from the penalty, England got their sixth try before it was back to 15 against 15 when Marchant got over.

Ireland refused to die and Deegan got a good try in the closing stages with Brett Connon converting.

But that was as close as they got as England ran out deserving winners to claim the title.

Scorers: England: Tries: H Mallinder (2), J Marchant (2), C Chick, H Taylor.

Cons: Mallinder (6). Pens: Mallinder Ireland: Tries: A McBurney, S Daly, M Deegan. Cons: J McPhillips (2), B Connon Ireland were well beaten by England in the U20 World Rugby Championships in Manchester, this evening, to bring an unfortunate end to a tremendous journey.

Nigel Carolan’s side reached their first ever U20s final after fantastic victories over wales, New Zealand, Georgia and Argentina. Ultimately, the hosts had too much pace and power and they sealed an emphatic 45-21 win. here was some consolation for Ireland as their impressive No.8 Max Deegan was named Player of the Tournament. The decision was announced at a closing ceremony for all the teams, following a full day of matches.

Congratulations to @IrishRugby U20s Max Deegan who was named the #WorldRugbyU20s Player of the Tournament The 19-year-old was unstoppable against the Welsh and ‘The Baby Blacks’ but found it tougher going against a fearsome English outfit.

Still, he battled away until the very end and grabbed Ireland’s final try.

Next up for Deegan will be Year One in the Leinster Academy, where he will be joined by six of his Ireland teammates.

As for Mallinder, he tore up the tournament and registered 25 points in the final, including two fine tries. Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes, well, he eats you.

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IRELAND U20 SQUAD Forwards Andrew Porter (UCD / Leinster) James Bollard (DUFC (Trinity College) / Leinster) Vakh Abdaladze (Clontarf / Leinster) Adam McBurney (Ballymena / Ulster) Vincent O’Brien (Cork Con / Munster) Conor Kenny (Buccaneers / Connacht) Benn Betts (Young Munster / Munster) Cillian Gallagher (Sligo / Connacht) James Ryan (Lansdowne / Leinster) (Capt.)

Sean O’Connor (Cashel / Munster) Evan Mintern (Cork Con / Munster) Greg Jones (UCD / Leinster) Will Connors (UCD / Leinster) Max Deegan (Lansdowne / Leinster) Kelvin Brown (Shannon / Munster) David Aspil (UCD / Leinster) Backs Stephen Kerins (Sligo / Connacht) Niall Saunders (Epsom College) Bill Johnston (Garryowen / Munster) Johnny McPhillips (QUB / Ulster) Conor O’Brien (Clontarf / Leinster) Shane Daly (Cork Con / Munster) Jimmy O’Brien (UCD / Leinster Paul Kiernan (UCC / Munster) Jacob Stockdale (Belfast Harlequins / Ulster) Terry Kennedy (St. Mary’s / Leinster) Hugo Keenan (UCD / Leinster) Matthew Byrne (Terenure / Leinster)

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