Ireland Club Side Named

Ireland Club coaches Conor Twomey and David Murphy have finalised their 22 man squad for the Ireland Club XV v England Counties game at Cork Constitution FC this Friday, ko 7.30pm.

Twomey and Murphy have added Clontarf's Ben Reilly and UCC's William Ryan to the squad due to injuries sustained in the Ulster Bank League on Saturday.

From a Munster point of view Shannon's Kevin Griffin makes his first appearance at this level and is named in the front row alongside Young Munster's Ger Slattery.

UL Boh's Ed Kelly joins Reilly in the second row partnership while Willie Ryan starts next to the experienced number 8 Frank Cogan, who has previously captained the side.

Cork Constitution's own Gerry Hurley claims the captaincy role for this year's campaign and he is joined by Craig Ronaldson of Ulster Bank League leaders Lansdowne in the half-back pairing. Sub academy player Richie Mullane starts at fullback.

In all, there are 12 Ulster Bank League clubs represented from the top two divisions in the 22 man squad.

Twomey and Murphy have a strong bench to call on also, with Dolphin's prolific point’s scorer, Barry Keeshan and his previous playing half back playing partner Sam Cronin included, along with Neville Melbourne who has also lined out previously at this grade.

Last year the Irish team were beaten 34-16 by their English counterparts in Preston North End and Twomey feels he has assembled a strong squad for the game at Temple Hill to overturn last year’s result and he would welcome seeing a large crowd turn up in Cork Con Friday night.

Kick off the weekend's rugby action by supporting the club game. Tickets are available to buy in Cork Con in advance of the match and they will also be on sale on the night.

Prices as follows: Adult €;10; Children and Students €;5; Family €;20 (2 Adults & 2 Children).

Ireland Club XV Squad
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)

Upcoming Fixtures
Fri 8th Feb 13, Ireland Club XV v England Counties, Cork Constitution FC, 7.30pm
Fri 8th Mar 13, Scotland Clubs v Ireland Club XV Millbrae, Ayr, 7.30pm