Connacht Juniors Squad vs Leinster Announced

The Connacht Juniors squad has now been named for the third, and final, Junior Interprovincial match against Leinster Rugby this Saturday, 10th May in Balbriggan RFC at 2:30 PM.

After a tough second match against Ulster, the Connacht Juniors are back and ready to face their Leinster counterparts in their last match in the Junior Interprovincial Series. Looking ahead to the competition and the third match this coming Saturday, Head Coach Kolo Kiripati has named his match day squad for the clash over in Balbriggan.

Faced with a few injuries after their Ulster match last Saturday, the Juniors have had to change a few positions and players around. In the back, Ethan Griffiths (Connemara RFC) has replaced Mark Dowd as full back, while Liam Jones (Ballina RFC) moves onto the wing with Dean O'Reilly (Monivea RFC). Jacob Fleming (Sligo Rugby) moves from the bench to start at scrum-half. 

In the pack, Brendan McLoughlin (Westport RFC) gets his first start as prop while Nato Kiripati (Creggs RFC) starts as hooker and Sam Fogarty (Buccaneers RFC) moves into the starting squad in the second-row. Ronan Conneely (Galwegians RFC) gets his first start coming in as flanker. 

Brian Diffley (Creggs RFC) steps in as Captain this week with Eoghan Coyle (Creggs RFC) as Vice-Captain.

Connacht Juniors vs Munster Juniors Squad:

Number/Name/Club
15. Ethan Griffiths - Connemara RFC
14. Liam Jones - Ballina RFC
13. Conor O'Shaughnessy - Tuam RFC
12. Eoghan Coyle - Creggs RFC (VC)
11. Dean O'Reilly - Monivea RFC
10. Shane Purcell - Creggs RFC
9. Jacob Fleming - Sligo Rugby

1. Brendan McLoughlin - Westport RFC
2. Nato Kiripati - Creggs RFC
3. Sean O'Connell - Ballina RFC
4. Sam Fogarty - Buccaneers RFC
5. Liam McNamee Mas - Carrick-on-Shannon RFC
6. Ronan Conneely - Galwegians RFC
7. James Brandon - Creggs RFC
8. Brian Diffley - Creggs RFC (C)

Replacements
16. Ross Burke - Westport RFC
17. Alex Burke - Corinthians RFC
18. Gary Keane - Corrib RFC
19. Sean Connolly - Castlebar RFC
20. Blayze Molloy - University of Galway RFC
21. Mark Dowd - Creggs RFC
22. Ross Doogan - Corinthians RFC
23. Luke Cronin - Tuam RFC

Management Team:

Head Coach: Kolo Kiripati

Assistant Coach (Backs): Paddy Pearson

Assistant Coach (Forwards): Brian McLearn

Manager: Natalie Fox

S&C: David Mannion

Kit Managers: Anthony Leifi and Maggie Newell

Physio: Joe Smyth

Video Analyst: Evan Gannon

 

2025 Junior Interprovincial Fixtures:

Round 1 – Saturday 26th April

Connacht 8 - 32 Munster, in Westport RFC

 

Round 2 – Saturday 3rd May

Connacht 0 - 30 Ulster, in Castlebar RFC

 

Round 3 – Saturday 10th May

Leinster v Connacht, in Balbriggan RFC, kick off 2.30pm

Ulster v Munster, in Dromore RFC, kick off 2.30pm

• juniors
• participation