Ireland Club coaches Conor Twomey and David Murphy have finalised the 22-man squad for the Ireland Club XV v England Counties game at Cork Constitution FC on Friday, February 8.
Cork Constitution’s own Gerry Hurley will captain the side and will be partnered at half back by Craig Ronaldson of Ulster Bank League leaders Lansdowne.
The back line has a depth of experience from last season with the half backs and the centre partnership of Stuart Morrow and Killian Lett.
New caps Darragh Fanning, Tim McCoy and Richie Mullane make up an exciting back three.
Twomey and Murphy have added Ben Reilly and William Ryan to the squad due to injuries sustained in the Ulster Bank League on Saturday.
Reilly comes into the second row with Ryan at number 6.
Ed Kelly packs down alongside Reilly in the second row while Ryan joins Danny Kenny and the highly experience Frank Cogan in the back row. Cogan has captained the Club side in recent seasons.
Colm McMahon and Kevin Griffin will prop down either side of the experience Ger Slattery in the front row.
In all, there are 12 Ulster Bank League clubs represented from the top two divisions in the 22 man squad.
There is a strong bench and in particular Dolphin’s prolific point’s scorer, Barry Keeshan and his previous playing half back playing partner Sam Cronin are a combination that could be a factor in the outcome of the result Friday night should the opportunity arise.
IRELAND CLUB XV Squad (v England Counties, Ulster Bank Club International, Temple Hill, Friday, February 8, kick-off 7.30pm):
1. Colm McMahon (St Mary’s College)
2. Ger Slattery (Young Munster)
3. Kevin Griffin (Shannon)
4. Ed Kelly (UL Bohemians)
5. Ben Reilly (Clontarf)
6. William Ryan (UCC)
7. Danny Kenny (UCD)
8. Frank Cogan (Clontarf)
9. Gerry Hurley (Cork Constitution) (capt)
10. Craig Ronaldson (Lansdowne)
11. Darragh Fanning (St. Mary’s College)
12. Stuart Morrow (Ballynahinch)
13. Killian Lett (Clontarf)
14. Tim McCoy (Clontarf)
15. Richie Mullane (Shannon)
Replacements:
16. Pat O’Regan (Old Belvedere)
17. Risterad Byrne (UCD)
18. Glenn Moore (Malone)
19. Neville Melbourne (Young Munster)
20. Sam Cronin (Clontarf)
21. Barry Keeshan (Dolphin)
22. James Thompson (Ballynahinch)
