Ireland U20s return to Athlone tomorrow Night

IRELAND U-20’s take on Italy in the RBS Junior Six Nations Championship at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Friday night. Kick of for this ELECTRIC IRELAND home series fixture, which is Ireland’s final home game of this championship, is 7 p.m.

After a hugely promising opening round victory over Scotland, Ireland disappointed against Wales before going down away to England in their last outing. However, the scoreline on that occasion did not truly reflect Ireland’s endeavours at Franklin Gardens. A repeat of those efforts will surely prove too much for Italy to cope with.

Dan Leavy has been an inspiring captain in an impressive backrow unit that has featured Peadar Timmins and Jack O’Donoghue for the team in green while Birr’s Peter Dooley has been in tremendous form up front with Cork Con duo Max Abbott and Rory Burke. Ross Molony is a tower of strength at lock and, with injury concerns over O’Donoghue, Michael Triggs and the impressive Sean O’Brien, Buccaneers exciting flanker Rory Moloney could be called into the match squad for this ‘must win’ contest for Ireland.

Ballinasloe’s Jacob Walshe has done well in two recent appearances for Buccs Senior XV and the promising young prop could also be involved. Ross Byrne and Nick McCarthy have done well at halfback with David Busby solid at fullback while Peter Robb has been pick of the three-quarters line. Harrison Brewer (son of legendary All-Black Mike) is another interesting inclusion in the Ireland squad, and he made his Six Nations debut when coming on as a replacement against England.

With Ireland bidding to move up the league table and with players hoping to impress before the forthcoming Junior World Cup, home fans can expect a competitive and winning performance by the home team. Supporters are urged to come along early to savour the atmosphere and enjoy the Pyrotechnics prior to kick off.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at Buccaneers RFC and/or The Bounty and can also be bought at the turnstiles on match nights. Stand seats generally sell out in advance of each match. Ticket prices are as follows:- Stand €20; Terrace €15; Students/OAP €10; Family (2 adults + 2 children to ground) €30. Group discounts are available to clubs/schools, etc. Contact Buccaneers Administrator Geraldine 0861732711 (during office hours) or email  [email protected] 

Dubarry Park is very close to the M4 Dublin/Galway motorway. Use Exits 10 or 11 and please obey parking restrictions. Plenty parking relatively close to the ground but parking at the club is likely to be full 90 minutes before kick off. So let’s see and hear another bumper crowd roaring on ‘the boys in green’!