Head Coach Neill Alcorn has unveiled the first ever Ireland Women's U20s squad following a successful screening camp at the IRFU High Performance Centre. The squad of 26 players includes three senior-capped internationals and promising talents who stood out in the Celtic Challenge and Vodafone Interprovincial Championship.
Niamh O'Dowd, Emma Tilly, and Leah Tarpey bring their senior Ireland experience, while Clara Barrett and Kate Flannery impressed in the Six Nations Festival as part of the Ireland U18s.
The team will gather for a week-long training camp at the IRFU High Performance Centre before departing for Rome on July 21. They will face Italy and Scotland in training sessions and engage in two 40-minute matches on July 28, providing valuable exposure to international opposition.
The first ever Ireland Women's U20s Squad! 🟢#FutureIsGreen | @PwCIreland
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 5, 2023
Katie Fitzhenry, IRFU Women's National Talent Squad and Talent Identification Manager, expressed delight in announcing the squad, emphasizing the significance of this milestone for the Women's Pathway. The selection reflects the talent and dedication of players from various regions, offering them an early opportunity to develop their skills in the international arena.
Fitzhenry, said: “We’re delighted to name the first ever Ireland Women’s U20s squad ahead of the trip to Italy. We had 44 players at last month’s screening camp and the Coaching Team of Neill Alcorn, Larissa Muldoon and Matt Gill have selected an exciting mix of talented players from across the country, all of whom have impressed for their Club, Province, or at underage international level in a green jersey.
“It is a hugely exciting time for everyone involved and this is another important step for our Women’s Pathway, providing a platform for the further development of our best young players and exposing them to international rugby at an early stage in their career.”
Ireland Women’s U20s Squad:
Forwards (14):
Amy O’Mahony (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Caoimhe Guinan (Tullamore RFC/Leinster)
Hannah Wilson (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
India Daley (Cooke RFC/Ulster)
Ivana Kiripati (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
Jane Neill (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Karly Tierney (Tuam/Oughterard RFC/Connacht)
Maebh Clenaghan (Queen’s University/Ulster)
Megan Collis (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
Niamh O’Dowd (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Ruth Campbell (MU Barnhall RFC/Leinster)
Sarah Delaney (Cill Dara RFC/Leinster)
Sarah Shrestha (Loughborough University/Ulster)
Sophie Barrett (Enniskillen RFC/Ulster)
Backs (12):
Abby Moyles (Blackrock RFC/Leinster)
Cara Martin (Navan RFC/Leinster)
Clara Barrett (Ballina RFC/Connacht)
Ellen Boylan (Blackrock RFC/Leinster)
Emma Tilly (MU Barnhall/Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Eva Sterritt (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Kate Flannery (UL Bohemians/Munster)
Katie Whelan (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster)
Kayla Waldron (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
Laoise McGonagle (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
Leah Tarpey (Railway Union RFC/Leinster)
Willow Bell (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby).
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