2008/2009 U18s clubs Leinster

[bluerugbyrules]

I'm not sure if too many are reading this in the closed season. Following on from discussions last season i was wondering how people think the coming season will be, who will be the big guns at youth level. Last season, the big two were definitely Wicklow & Barnhall, both of who were much stronger than most. Wicklow have the majority of that team still underage BUT, how many will they lose to college/moving to Dublin. Will some of them be offered places in the U20s Premier in Dublin with Greystones or Lansdowne - any news ??? Will Niall Earls & Ben Doyle stay ?? If they keep most of their team they have to be hot favourites. Barnhal however lose most of their team to U20s. Most of their big pack (Harrison / Dufficy / Beatty) move up and their best backs (Daly). I don't know if Barnhall have any talent coming up from 16s - does anyone know?? they will certainly need them. Dundalk will be strong as always and could be dark horses to win something (especially with players like Gearoid McDonnell performing well). As should Boyne who will be very big and have decent players moving from 16s. Enniscorthy should be in the running with good back row and Wexford with a good all round team. Last years U16s heroes Skerries will do well but will be mostly U17s, that's if they are still eligable. Skerries Community College next season plays in the Senior Cup so if that makes Skerries CC a section B school virtually the whole Skerries team will be ineligable. Although i did hear they had a Castleknock player on the team that won the all ireland and got away with it.

[billy whizz]

thats not true at all about the castleknock player. didnt play at all this year, not once.

[bluerugbyrules]

That's what I heard from someone in 'knock. I don't know any details but it seemed reliable. i you know diferent I stand corrected.

[jaybyrne]

j

[bluerugbyrules]

Earls is a HUGE loss, however, they'll still be strong. Wicklow are a good all round team. Is the winger Doyle moving to 20s or leaving or will he still be at 18s? Any opinion on who'll start in the Leinster Youths?

[TheRedHurricane]

Earls is a HUGE loss, however, they'll still be strong. Wicklow are a good all round team. Is the winger Doyle moving to 20s or leaving or will he still be at 18s? Any opinion on who'll start in the Leinster Youths?

Are the Leinster Youths meant to be decent this year, compared to previous years? Or are Connaught in pole position again?

[bluerugbyrules]

Perhaps this debate should transfer to The string = "Leinster Youth Squad". ..but .... Leinster will have a very good back line at least. The two centres were the Irish Youth centres last year and the two 9s to choose from have inter-pro season experience already, so logic would say if they find a 10 who can link these it should be a big threat. Looking at the inter-area team matches and the initial squad, Leinster have a lot more size in the pack than last season and I think this is where they lost out to Connaugh. If the BIG guys in the squad are good players they'll have to be fancied to do well. Do you know anything about the options Leinster have in the back three to compliment the centres?

[jaybyrne]

l

[pulldownthemaul]

I was talking to a guy from Barnhall & they won their 10-a-side matches 25-0, 30-0 and 55-0. How did Dundalk fair in their area. They'll be good this year.

[jaybyrne]

wicklow 65 wexford 5

[jaybyrne]

f

[groundhog]

AC Pirates beat Naas 19 - 5 in the U18 North Midlands league

[jaybyrne]

wicklow 49- ennsicorthty 21

[pulldownthemaul]

I was told Boyne lost to Barnhall (no idea of score) in a friendly

[silly punt]

AC Pirates beat Kilkenny on Saturday (15-10 I think) in the u18 premier division, any other scores?

[jaybyrne]

ss

[bluerugbyrules]

U18s Premier. Boyne lost to Dundalk. Barnhall lost to Longford. North Kildare lost to Tullamore.

[jaybyrne]

under 18s premier

kilkenny beat new ross 22 10
wicklow beat carlow 59-6

[silly punt]

AC Pirates beat Wexford. I dont know what score.

[hittheruck]

U18s premier north table after round 2;
Dundalk, Longford,Tullaomre all 8 pts; Mullingar, Boyne 4pts; N.Kildare, Navan, Barnhall 0 pts.
Dundalk & Longford looking impressive having both beaten Barnhall but I heard that Barnhall are missing a lot of players with injuries, so could come good in time.
Longford, Mullingar, Tullaomre will keep improving as the GAA season ends. Dundalk, Navan & Boyne should be steady.
N. Kildare have collapsed - they couldn't field a team at the week-end