The Bank of Ireland Provincial Towns Cup is set to kick-off with the first round scheduled for Sunday, 6 March.
Twenty-eight teams will take part in this year’s competition, divided into 12 first round ties with four clubs awarded byes through to the second round.
All four compete in Division 1A of the Leinster League, namely Ashbourne RFC, Dundalk RFC, Kilkenny RFC and Gorey RFC.
All first named clubs will be at home and kick-off times will be decided between both clubs.
The draw for the second round of the Provincial Towns Cup will take place following the fixture in Balbriggan.
County Carlow FC v Longford RFC
County Carlow have a very successful history in the Towns Cup, winning the competition 12 times including five wins in the 1990s.
The squad is a blend of experience and youthful enthusiasm, the majority coming through the club’s youths system.
Seasoned campaigners Richie and John Whyte, James Nolan, Wes Shirley and Larry McGrath, have all been playing J1 rugby for 10 years.
On the flip side, the crew of Dan Crotty, Caomhan Brennan, Cian Clarke, Alan Owens, Cormac Murray, Sean Quinlan, Conor Treacy, Conor Moore, Matty O’Donovan and Darragh Brennan are all getting their first taste of Towns Cup rugby.
Unfortunately, club captain, Ross Elmes, was injured earlier in the season, restricted to leading from the sideline as Team Manager, a role he has embraced.
Coaches Corey Carty and Jeff Carter have the squad well prepared, training regularly, attracting more than 40, Shirley leading from the front as captain.
Longford head coach Glenn Baskett has been involved for a number of years with this group.
In that time, the closest the club has come to glory was a semi-final loss to Wicklow in 2019.
Previous to that, Longford contested the 2013 final against Tullamore which they also lost.
Everything in sport is cyclical. That is why it is refreshing to see young players, like Danny Ryan and Mark McHugh, being mentored by the likes of Benny McManus, Hubie Connolly and Neal Farrell, passing on the true importance of the Towns Cup.
Longford leans on Packie Molloy, Aaron Beirne and the Geelan brothers, John and David, as their rocks in the forward pack.
Scrum-half Finnbarr McGowan has grown into the role inside quality backs Cormac Hughes and George McDermott.
Wexford Wanderers RFC v Boyne RFC
Wexford Wanderers attempt an expansionist style of play, with key emphasis placed on moving the ball around the pitch with pace, looking to exploit space and getting good forward movement.
They are usually able to do that because Bobby Clancy, Kevin Redmond and Cian Connolly, provide a solid core through Wanderers’ abrasive pack.
A platform up front allows the backs to utilise the full width of the park to stretch the opposition, Richie Waters and captain Graham Barry often showing flair and pace.
Boyne won back-to-back Towns Cup titles in 2009 and 2010.
The link is maintained by long-serving hooker Pat Shuttleworth, who is still an integral part of the current squad.
The Louth club have rebuilt a culture based on a strong work ethic, discipline and respect over the last three years.
They had set themselves the main goal of winning Leinster League 1B this season. Now that is in the bag, the focus turns to the cup where motivation is high.
Coach Vic Ball takes pride in high fitness levels and playing an attractive, attacking style of rugby, amassing 443 points in the league’s 14 rounds.
The mantra is ‘see space, attack space’, by, above all else, prioritising execution of the basics.
They are superbly led by captain and openside flanker Colm Joyce-Ahearne, who will go up against his home club, where he played all his mini youth rugby and one year with Wanderers’ firsts.
Joyce-Ahearne and outside back Robbie Vallejo, from New Ross, are the only two players in the squad that have not come through the Boyne mini/youth system.
Edenderry RFC v Cill Dara RFC
Edenderry have a proud Towns Cup tradition and are never easy to overcome, even though they need to punch above their weight against Cill Dara, currently two divisions higher in the Leinster League.
This cup is a great leveller and the Offaly club is hopeful a good performance on the day can give them a shot at an upset.
Only 22, Dylan Casey has become their established tighthead prop. Veteran No 8 Shane Melia is the chief ball carrier.
Second row Brian Holt is the workhorse in the tight and, often, the man others look to when the pressure comes on.
The rise of wing Ben Smullen (19) is an example of the great work of the underage coaches over the last decade.
Cill Dara just missed out on a top-three finish in Division 1B under new head coach John Bagnall.
It is a very young side with a dynamic backline. Logan Nicholson is the strike runner, Ryan Curran the playmaker and Adam Meehan a gifted finisher.
Up-front, pack leader and captain Billy Scully, an army officer, marshals his troops well. The front row of Rob Scully, Gordon Shannon and DJ Brannock is young and dynamic.
No 8 JJ McIlwrath has had an outstanding season and is a player to watch.
Enniscorthy RFC v Mullingar RFC
The current holders, having won the trophy in 2019, for the fourth time in seven years, will ask their second team to take on the mantle of representing the club.
Coaches Michael Bolger and Peter Kerins would have been disappointed with a slow start to the season.
But, their influence, and that of captain Alan Jacob, led to improved results for a top-two finish in Division 3 of the Metro League.
The All-Ireland League squad’s template for fast open rugby is also the preferred option of their second team.
The leaders include player-coach Jacob at scrum-half, Brian Bolger at flanker and Hughie O’Neill in the centre.
Their experience of winning multiple Towns Cup medals will be helpful when the pressure comes on.
A successful league campaign in Leinster League Division 2A secured promotion for Mullingar this season.
The start to 1B was difficult as the team adjusted to the higher standard of play, losing the first five games.
Things were looking bleak. But, the squad stuck together and won four out of their next five games.
The form line was looking especially good heading into the second part of the season, but the Christmas break and injuries to some key players in the backline broke the momentum.
The well being of those players is crucial to Mullingar picking up the pace to make an impact against the defending champions.
Clondalkin RFC v Portlaoise RFC
It has been a tough season for Clondalkin in Leinster League 1B due to the loss of a number of key men due to injury and Covid.
No absence was felt more so than former Ireland age grade international Chris Jebb, whose surgery means he won’t be available again until next season.
Captain Marcus Doyle has led like a warrior all year at lock alongside the veteran front row Ken McMahon, Kev Dunphy and ex-Leinster Junior hooker Brian Doyle.
Simon King packs down in the back row beside youngsters Eoghan Farrell and Aaron Donnelly.
David Jebb, has succeeded his brother as the most vocal back. The flanker-turned-centre has been a standout all year.
New recruits Fionnan Madden, Conor Loughrey and Eanna Clynes have added a real spark to the Clon’ three-quarters this season.
Niall Nolan and Ryan Maher are lethal on the wings and the backs are led from half-back by Thomas Ankers.
Portlaoise are a team very much in transition. The couple of Covid-disrupted seasons saw a number of players retire.
This season, quite a few younger players have been introduced to the squad. They are beginning to blend in well with the more experienced players.
Their pre-Christmas campaign was disrupted badly through injury to several first-teamers, none more so than team captain Ross Cooper.
The recovery of the team’s fitness was key to a pick up in form to end the Division 2A campaign with four wins from 14.
Wicklow RFC v Naas RFC
The coveted Towns Cup trophy has only been won once by the men from Ashtown Lane – in 2016.
Wicklow were pipped at the post by Boyne in Leinster League 1B this season after a titanic battle throughout the league campaign.
The side, made up almost exclusively of players that have come through the youth section, has a good blend of the young and older.
A mobile pack is led from the front by prop David Nicholson and an experienced hooker in Jack McKenna.
Jack McGrath is a talented young player in the second row and Dylan Byrne, a teak-tough No 8, is also a skilful lineout operator.
Wicklow can rely on the skills and experience of Niall Earls at out-half, captain Shane Farrar in the centre, the exciting talent of Ben Watson at full-back and Noah Sheridan and Adam Cullen on the wings.
Naas have a nicely balanced team, a good mix of novices and veterans, size and pace, smarts and abrasiveness.
The captain and hooker Graham Reynolds, one of the hardest workers in the club, is very talented with lots of AIL experience. No 8 Patrick Corrigan goes about his business in a dedicated manner.
Half-backs Derry Lenehan and Colm Doyle, returned from Trinity, will be expected to control matters. Three-quarters Dean and Kaelan Burke are brothers from Hollywood in Wicklow.
New Ross RFC v Tullow RFC
New Ross will not lack confidence after topping Leinster League 2B, gaining promotion by winning 12 out of 14 matches.
The team is a balance of very experienced players with up to eight first-team forwards holding over 10 years of men’s rugby, sprinkled with a good core of youngsters.
This is their first full season under coaches Derek Furness and David Brennan, who have introduced a more expansive style of play.
The key players for New Ross include backrowers James ‘Tank’ Ryan, Tim Coughlan and backs Matt Crowdel and Barry Roche.
They will be waiting in the grass to spring something of an upset on their visitors.
This season, Tullow has had a different look about it as retirements and injuries have taken place.
Coaches Maurice Logue and Frank Murphy will push the importance of putting a sixth-place finish in Leinster League 1B to one side.
Tullow’s love affair with Towns Cup rugby is as strong as ever. Leading the way, captain Scott Caldbeck’s determination will be a driving force.
The in-form Jack McDonald, the evergreen Joe Waters and the Leybourne brothers, Jordan and Dylan, will have to be on their game to drive a deep cup run.
Arklow RFC v Tullamore RFC
Arklow has made it to four Towns Cup finals, losing in 1968 and 1974 and winning in 1985 and 2004.
After 2004, the club’s fortunes declined, struggling to maintain the high standards set in previous decades.
The senior men’s team has been making progress in recent years, losing a promotion play-off for a place in 2A in the first Covid lockdown.
This season, they have not been quite as successful, finishing mid-table in 2B with Anthony O’Donnell serving as captain.
Tullamore have a long and proud tradition in the Towns Cup
After almost 10 years since their last triumph, this squad will be keen to make their mark and add another scalp or two to go along with some of their impressive results this season.
Coach Rob Connor has returned to the club after a successful three-year term in charge of neighbours Midland Warriors where he doubled as both player-coach.
Scott Milne, an elegant and well-balanced full-back, was involved with the Leinster U-20 squad last summer.
Flame-haired scrum-half Zach Wright is a bundle of energy and enthusiasm. Conor McGuinness is a tough-tackling flanker, while openside Sean Flynn is your stereotypical groundhog over the ruck ball.
Captain Cormac ‘Mucky’ Moloney and Cathal Farrell both add real punch and leadership in the middle of the field.
Returning veterans Tiernan Mealliffe, Kealen Feery, Ger Molloy and Dan Cronin have added ballast to the pack and, along with Shane Fleming and Cathal ‘Slug’ Behan, have shored up the scrum.
Ken Fennelly is their go-to lineout man, while hooker Deano Pearce has a winger’s pace and step. He can often be found loitering in the wider channels.
Tullamore will be realistic about their chances of claiming silverware. Still, they will fancy a craic at whoever they may lock horns with.
Navan RFC v Roscrea RFC
Navan’s second team competes in Metro League Division 3 where they finished third at the end of this season.
It is made up of a mix of young players coming up from the U-20s and some players who have played for the club for many years.
Four of their nine wins in the league came with a bonus-point attached, a reflection of their willingness to run the ball from anywhere.
The J1 team this year have provided the club with a lot of excitement and atmosphere and have become a great talking point.
Navan are led by Andrew Beggy at No 8, who comes from that great Meath sporting family.
Four years ago, John Maher made the decision to take the reins at Roscrea, after a stellar playing career.
The team itself is an eclectic mix of youthful exuberance and talent, mixed seamlessly throughout with senior players bringing years of experience.
The pack is the driving force of much of Roscrea’s best play with formidable captain Mikey Treacy slotting in anywhere from one-to-eight.
Veterans Ger and Kieran Stone, Malachy Maher, Seamus Treacy and Enda Maher add plenty of experience.
Coach Maher is also prepared to give youth a chance with Ben Spencer, Eoghan Kelly and Sean Maher starting games in the Leinster League this season.
Mikey Fitzgerald has been in fine form at hooker, after a short spell playing in France, while Peter Hennessy, Paddy Walsh, Terence Kenneally and George Sutton have been reliable.
New Zealander Jake Lawlor, who can play anywhere from 10 to 15, has added real flair and grit, while the defence has been well marshalled by Paul McNamara and Daryl Carney.
North Kildare RFC v Skerries RFC
North Kildare are subdivided into a core of long-term servants to the club, a number of returnees and a new younger crop, who have come up through the club system.
Captain Calvin Coffey is a long-time devotee and Tom Satchwell is ever-present at No 8.
Another stalwart Joe Gerry uses his experience to run the backline for what is an entertaining brand of rugby, focused on the core elements of the game.
Skerries have a rich Provincial Towns Cup history, winning the title 11 times. It is the only club to have achieved a four-in-a-row.
The J1s bring some decent form from the Metro League Division Three campaign.
It is a young side that includes up and coming talent from the youth section, like exciting Ireland U-18 Rugby League back Josh Ericsson.
Paddy Bracken, Ben McKiernan, Billy Mulcahy and Johnny Clear have been instrumental in maintaining the good league form.
Captain Vinny Watson, a school teacher during the week, plays his part binding the young team together.
Balbriggan RFC v Athy RFC
You have to travel all the way back to 1928 to find the only time Balbriggan have won the Towns Cup.
They have struggled this season with long-term injuries, retirements and, like every club, the impact of Covid, while trying to bring an exciting brand of rugby to Bowhill.
The game plan centres around creating interplay between forwards and backs in order to release the explosive, unrelated midfield of Paul and Cal O’Connor.
There has been no problem at scrum-time as a platform for quick ball, Alan O’Connor the cornerstone of that effort. Not satisfied to leave it there, the tighthead is developing as a forceful ball carrier too.
One player that has stood out this season has been Andrew Brown at the same time as finishing his final year of commerce in NUI Galway.
The full-back’s commitment and enthusiasm have been second to none, travelling from Galway on game days.
He never fails to impress in games as the key to Balbriggan’s ability to move the ball wide and is the vital link in the back three
Winning Leinster League Division 2B, prior to Covid, has been the basis for Athy’s growth in the senior men’s game over the last 18 months.
The change in fortune and culture has been led and driven by the players, under the guidance of the management team of Pat Doyle (Manager), Ger Brennan (chief organiser), Eric Conway (backs coach) and Donal Milne (head coach) and, this season, Paddy Byrne.
Interestingly, Brendan Markey took on the responsibility for player recruitment and retention when the pandemic threatened to turn people away from the game.
During this season, there have been some amazing nights with sessions hosted by Eric Donovan, Peter Dooley, Billy Dardis and Stuart Lancaster.
It all contributed to Athy winning promotion from 2A with a stellar record of 11 wins from 14 rounds as the only defence to concede less than 200 points (194).
Head coach Milne is using his experience as a former player, while Jason O’Toole and Gavin Kelly provide the current leadership on the pitch.
Newbridge RFC v Midland Warriors RFC
Newbridge were formed in 1996 after the amalgamation of neighbouring clubs Curragh and Old Kilcullen.
The club’s best run in the Towns Cup came in 2012, when they suffered an extra-time semi-final defeat to eventual winners, Enniscorthy.
This current crop is led by veteran captain Jeff Draper, who steers the ship from openside flanker.
The driving force in the forwards is Tom Treacy, who packs down at No 8 alongside other standouts such as Will Jennings at hooker, Dinny Clarke at blindside flanker and Cameron English at lock.
The backline is guided by player-coach Robbie Waters and includes several exciting players such as powerhouse Oliver Feagin and Zach Meehan, who has scored six tries in five games since making the step up from J2 level before Christmas.
The squad is led by head coach Derek Dowling, who has a wealth of experience through his years with Leinster and St Mary’s and has overseen a consistent improvement in his four years in charge.
Newbridge finished fourth in a hotly-contested Leinster League 2A, having taken a number of high-profile scalps along the way.
Midland Warriors currently ply their trade in Leinster League 2B and are the lowest-ranked team in the competition.
Coaches Keith Sothern and Rob Davidson look to play attacking rugby with width, incorporating the forwards and backs to create two waves where possible.
Leading the team is Jimmy O’Connell, a veteran of several Towns Cup campaigns with Midland Warriors and Longford, where he reached a final.
Half-backs Paddy Browne, Keith McKiernan and Paul Dunican, depending on selection, ensure the ball is played quickly because Liam Fitzpatrick, Conor Seery, Kristian Jocher and John Maguire are all potent finishers.
Up front, what the team lacks in size it more than makes up for it in attitude. This season, the team has relied heavily on the pack working hard in the tight, Ed Connor, Michael Burnell, Bill Horan and Conor Flynn solidifying the set-piece.
The unseen work at the breakdown by Dan Heffernan has helped speed up the attack. The cool head of Damien Ryan has ensured the players play with intelligence and urgency.
The Warriors back-row squad of Dylan Lynch, Danny Buckley, Peadar Hennessy and Tadhg Hennessy has tended to be at the centre of a lot of the scores this season.
Squads
Arklow RFC
Coaches – Marc Rangitaawa, Anthony O’Donnell, Charlie Louth
Captain – Tom Scarf
Squad – Gavin Cox, Garreth Dunne, Anthony O’Donnell, Tommy Godkin, Tim Byrne, Richard Murphy, Tom Scarf, Eamonn Quirke, Dean McCormack, Paddy Ryan, Aaron Ward, Shane Haarer, Darren Haarer, Joni Butterworth, Billy Slater, Shane Nalty, Matt O’Gorman, Shane McAllister, Darin Haarer, John Louth, Eoin Ó Scannail, PJ Keogh, Joshua Jackson, Tommy Godkin, Pete Lynch, Conor Rochford, Hugh O’Brien, Willem van de Vyver
Ashbourne RFC
Coaches – Scotty Broughton, Donal Crotty, Andrew Whittaker, David Duff, Jeff Mahon, Adam Sherrard, Kevin Quinn, Declan Shanahan
Captain – Sean McKeon
Squad – Ciaran Roche, Danny Norton, Jimmy McCaghy, Mark Behan, Sean Kent, Conor Hurley, Adam Carberry, Sean McKeon, Jake Wall, Alan Wall, Robbie Szpara, Andrew Whittaker, Shane-Eoin Kennedy, Charlie McSweeney, Frank Keegan, Conor Creaby, Gavin Kennedy, Shane Bass, Max Samuel, Cian Nulty, Matt Connolly, Fergus Bobbett, Adam Martin, Paddy Murtagh, Colm Craigie, Donal Crotty, Jack O’Brien, Dermot Colreavy, Keelan Toolan, Toby Ennis
Athy RFC
Coaches – Donal Milne, Eric Conway, Paddy Byrne, Pat Doyle.
Captain – Jason O’Toole
Squad – Aaron Doyle, Aaron Rowan, Adam McCormack, Adam Talbot, Ben Kane, Brian Meredith, Caomhghin Bradshaw, Ciaran McDonagh, Clive Kavanagh, Conor McDonnell, Conor Martin, Danny Loughman, Darren Byrne, Dean O’Neill, Donal Milne, Eoghan Farrell, Gavin Doyle, Graham O’Shaughnessy, Jason O’Toole, Joe Mahon, Kevin Downey, Liam Lynch, Matthew Henry, Niall Dunne, Paul Buckley, Ross Hendy, Sean Donohoe, Sean Markey, Shane Horgan, Stephen Grey, Stuart Holland, Tadgh Foley, Teodor Ciobanu, Tim Perry, William Hendy, Billy Doyle, Cathal Fennessy, Ciaran Fennessy, Cillian Bergin, Craig Miller, Daniel Conlan, David Considine, David Downey, David O’Toole, Dylan Connolly, Eric Conway, Evan Stevenson, Ewan Brennan, Gavin Kelly, Henry Neill, James Smith, John Moran, Joshua Coyle, Kevin Maher, Killian Horgan, Mark Braithwaite, Michael Wall, Mikie Dempsey, Peter Doyle, Sean Nolan, Tom Glynn, Tomas Foley, Tony Martin, Vincent Murray
Balbriggan RFC
Coaches – Brian Collins, Peter O’Donnell, David Fitzgerald, Malachy Malone, Cathal Myles
Captain – Conor Caldwell
Squad – Adam O’Connor, Conor Caldwell, Jonathan Davies, Fiachra Tuckey, Alan McKiernan, Adam Bennett, Graeme O’Reilly, Lodewyk Van Der Merwe, Ben Hurrell, Mark Fay, Kealen King, Iker King, Abdul Olaosebikan, Andy Whitney, Chuka Uba, Dan Egan, Ian Murphy, Michael Hughes, Stephen Dowling, Tom Downes, Tom Hagan, Finn Howley, Andy Smith, Brian Collins, Barry Caldwell, Tomas Murphy, Andy Brown, Cal O’Connor, Jack Scannell, Paul O’Connor, Mark Lynch, Stephen O’Neill, Kyle Healy, Aaron Lacey, Des O’Connor, Samuel Howie
Boyne RFC
Coaches – Vic Ball, Kevin McCleery
Captain – Colm Joyce-Ahearne
Squad – Colm Joyce-Ahearne, Adam Brodigan, Cathal Greene, Charles Gallen, Ciaran Smith, Conor Callaghan, Eoghan Duffy, Evan McGinn, Graeme McQuillan, Hugh Carolan, Jack Mitchell, Joe Sweeney, Karl Keogh, Kevin McCleery, Matthew O’Callaghan, Michael Briscoe, Nick Smith, Oisin Howell, Patrick Prendergast, Pat Shuttleworth, Robbie Vallejo, Rory Hennessey, Ruairi Hickey, Sean Callan, Tadhg O’Reilly
Cill Dara RFC
Coaches – John Bagnall, Eamon Fitzpatrick, Declan Prendergast, Padraig Murtagh, Jimmy Murphy
Captain – Billy Scully
Squad – Rob Scully, Gordon Shannon, DJ Brannock, Chris Walsh, Michael-John Prendergast, Richard Snell, Ross Dooley, JJ McIlwrath, Jack Bannon, Fionn Heffernan, Chris Ryan, Logan Nicholson, Ryan Curran, Adam Meehan, Liam McKeown, Steven Walsh, Dave Vaughan, Robin Dempsey, William Doran, Callum O’Reilly, Aaron Conway, Thomas McCullock, Eoin Clarke, Jacko Dempsey, Paudy Wall, Rory Conway
Clondalkin RFC
Coaches – Dave Plummer, Paul Nolan, John Nolan, Mikey Russell
Captain – Marcus Doyle
Squad – Ken McMahon, Brian Doyle, Kevin Dunphy, Stephen McKenna, Paul Gifford, Darren Madden, Marcus Doyle, Jamie Davies, Tom McGrath, Neil Finley, Aaron Donnelly, Eoghan Farrell, Simon King, Conor Loughrey, Thomas Ankers, Stephen Bracken, Jack Holland, David Jebb, Eoin Delaney, Darren Madden, Fionnan Madden, Niall Nolan, Ryan Maher, Eoin Maher, Eanna Clynes, Thomas Duffy, Clincy Mutanga, Podge Murphy
County Carlow RFC
Coaches – Corey Carty, Jeff Carter
Captain – Ross Elmes
Squad – Alan Byrne, Alan Owens, Anthony Mannion, Ben Crotty, Bobby Cope, Callum Murphy, Caomhan Brennan, Chris Curnow, Cian Clarke, Conal Slater, Conor Moore, Conor Treacy, Cormac Murray, Dan Crotty, Darragh Brennan, Dave McDermott, Diarmuid Long, David Keppel, Ed Keating, Evan Gordon, Evan Gorry, Fionnan Burke, Isaac Daly, Jack Hickey, James Nolan, Johnny Crossley, John Farrell, John Lyons, Johnny Murphy, John Whyte, Jeff McDermott, Larry McGrath, Liam Slater, Matty O’Donovan, Matt Keogh, Mick Sheerin, Niall Bermingham, Niall Finnegan, Owen Edghill, Paddy Mackey, Paddy Rodgers, Padraig O’Connor, Richard Whyte, Rhys Edghill, Rhys Roberts, Ross Byrne, Rory Carbery, Sam Cullen, Sam Dunne, Scott Neale, Sean Quinlan, Shea Somers, Stephen Hogan, Steve Treacy, Tom Bolger, Tom Connors, Tristian Groenewald, Wesley Shirley, Williams Ganley, Zac Fitzhenry
Dundalk RFC
Coaches – David Fearon, Kieran McCabe, Shane O’Reilly, Hendrick Kruger, Paddy Sheehy, Mickey Toale
Captain – Tiernan Gonnelly
Squad – Stephen McGuivern, Conor Williams, Zak Coen, Sean Arrowsmith, Robbie Farrell, Simon O’Shea, Ben Mortimer, Darragh Maher, Enda Murphy, Eoin Sullivan, Ryan McShane, Laurence Steen, Tiernan Gonnelly, Greg Whatley, Jack Hughes, James O’Connell, Ultan Murphy, Conor Hennessey, Andrew Williams, Hugh Tiernan, Johnny Williams, Derek Williams, Dave Symes, Paddy Reilly, Darragh Conroy, David Murdock
Edenderry RFC
Coaches – Emmet Condron, Brendan Shalvey
Captain – Mark Bergin
Squad – Ben Smullen, Bobby Walsh, Brian Holt, Charlie Hague, Conor Mulligan, Craig Thompson, Dean Murray, Dylan Casey, Ethan Cooney, Evan Murphy, Gareth McNamee, Gavin Murray, Jack Downing, Jack O’Keeffe, Jason Moore, Joey Higgins, John Cummins, John O’Donnell, Keith O’Neill, Luke McNamee, Luke O’Neill, Mark Bergin, Mark Kavanagh, Mark Rushe, MJ Smyth, P Larkin, Peter O’Neill, Richard Gill, Ross Brereton, Sean Lanigan, Shane Cummins, Shane Melia, Simon Finn, Stephen Gill, Tadhg Dulohery
Enniscorthy RFC
Coaches – Michael Bolger and Peter Kerins, Andrew Kelly
Captain – Alan Jacob.
Squad – John Nolan, Shane Lynch, Gavin Redmond, Andy Redmond, Paddy Waters, Murt Kehoe, Ryan Cahill, Jamie Barron, James Doyle, David Farrell, Conor Byrne, Cathal Mernagh, Darragh Joyce, Brian Bolger, Aaron Doyle, Lee Treacy, Conor Kerr, Mikey McVeigh, Adam Coppen, Alan Jacob, David Shore, Neil McCrea, Ben Kidd, Jack Kelly, Adam Gethings, Mick Farrell, Hughie O’Neill, Dominic Morycki, Mick McGinty, Jim White, Kevin O’Connor, Stefan San Augustine
Gorey RFC
Coaches – Phil de Barra, Jason Emery, Richard Jones
Captain – Daragh O’Leary
Squad – Eoin Walsh, Liam Molloy, Kevin Browne, Daragh O’Leary, Tom Jameson, Willie Earle, Jordan Ahearn, Ben Horan, Dearon McGrath, Michael Duke, Brian O’Leary, Mark Kehoe, Andrew Walsh, Jack Willoughby, Killian Breen, Isaac Porter, Gavin McConagle, Achille Kinsella, George Slattery, JJ Kinsella, Sean Egan, Rhys Slator, Cian O’Sullivan, Owen Austin, Colin French, Ken Rothwell, Cillian Tomkins, Cian Hadden, Aaron Joyce, Henry Kennedy, Colin Browne, Padraig Byrne, Jake Kinsella, Ryan Gibney, Conor Hatton, David Shannon, Flynn Donnelly, Cameron Reynolds, Joe Naughton, Joe Butler, Fergal Bolger, Stanley Hadden, Stephen Gardiner, Piotr Moldena, Callum Poppewell, Dylan Slator, Clement Power, Gareth Bater, Reese Hughes, Mike Henchion, Aaron Davies
Kilkenny RFC
Coaches – David O’Connor, Steve Ashmore, Jake Pratley, John Buckley, Ray Pembroke, Mark Coughlan, Ger McDonald
Captain – Jake McDonald
Squad – Conor Dempsey, Joe Moynihan, Brian Howe, Drew Phelan, Leon Madigan, Martin Leahy, Ben Devlin, Louis Venter, Colm Kealy, Wes Carter, Liam Phelan, Brendan McIntyre, Tadgh Butler, Roy Stanley, Andrew Warner, Gary Dunne, David O’Connor, Adam O’Brien, Matt Hogan, Shane O’Riordan, Roy Stanley, Simon O’Hara, Jack Nolan, Ciaran Sutton, Jake Pratley, Jake McDonald, Aiden McDonald, Joe Manuel, Podge Mahon, Hugh Corkery, Liam Caddy, Conor Walsh, Jack Walsh, Rob Boyd, Lyndon Brannigan, David Moore, Ryan Hogg, Sean Moran, Cian Butler, Conor Campion
Longford RFC
Coaches – Glenn Baskett, Aidan Wynne, Alan Campbell, Daragh Collins, Junior Hannon
Captain – Hubie Connolly
Squad – Aaron Beirne, Aidan Wynne, Alan Armstrong, Allen Marshall, Andrew Beirne, Benny McManus, Brian Hanley, Brian O’Farrell, Conor Craig, Conor McGovern, Cormac Hughes, Daithi Connolly, Daniel Hayden, Daniel McHugh, David Mills, David Geelan, Dean Corrigan, Dylan Quinn, Evan Hogan, Fred Davis, Finnbarr McGowan, Fred Davis, George McDermott, Hubie Connolly, Jack Finnegan, James Cooper, Jamie Byrne, James Mimnagh, Joe McGowan, Justin Murray, Karl Murray, Kevin McDonagh, Killian Rawle, Kola Adejinmi, Liam Brady, Mark McCallum, Mark McHugh, Mathew Nixon, Tomas McDermott, Niall Flynn, Owen McGowan, Packie Molloy, Paddy Connaughton, Padraig O’Farrell, Paeder Kenny, Peter Kirk, Phil Dardis, Robbie Shaw, Ryan McHugh, Seamus McKeon, Simon Moorehead, Stephen Coy, Willie McDermott
Midland Warriors RFC
Coaches – Keith Sothern, Rob Davidson
Captain – Jimmy O’Connell
Squad – Ed Connor, Alan O’Donovan, Paddy Browne, Michael Burnell, Niall Carr, Paul Dunican, Conor Flynn, Cathal Connell, Keith McKiernan, Bill Horan, Jimmy O’Connell, John Monaghan, Liam Fitzpatrick, Darren McCormack, John Maguire, Damien Ryan, Ethan Kenna, Dan Heffernan, Kristian Jocher, Tadhg Hennessy, Conor Seery, Peadar Hennessy, Colin Smyth, Dylan Lynch, Conor Elliot, Danny Buckley, Jack Linnane
Mullingar RFC
Coaches – TC Campbell, Cormac Dunne, Lemeki Vaipulu
Captain – Darren Brady
Squad – Darren Brady, Henry Reilly, Jonny Moran, Ben Glennon, Jamie Taaffe, Kevin Smith, Conall Fagan, Chris Fox, Edward Nally, Daryl Quinn, Killian McNay, Lemeki Vaipulu, Conor Glennon, Alan Naughton, Darach Geraghty, Daragh Lambe, Luke Finegan, Paddy Doran, Paul Maxwell, Alex Moran, Cormac Dunne, Niall Hannon, TC Campbell, Arthur Brabazon, Stuart Flynn, James Kerrigan, Cathal Burke, Donal McGovern, Ronan Wallace, Anthony McGivney, Alan Brabazon, Daire Conway, David Lynam, Eoghan Moore, Aaron Glennon, Cian Lee, Sean Rock
Naas RFC
Coaches – Mick Barton, Rob Malone, Trevor Smyth
Captain – Graham Reynolds
Squad – Jack Barry, Jack Coyle, Stephen Lackey, Graham Reynolds, Paul Carroll, Colm Gorry, John Waters, Phillip Jordan, Glen Condell, Jamie Smith, Killian O’Brien, Michael Curran, Muiris Cleary, Oliver Barry, Patrick Corrigan, Richard Dromgoole-Maguire, Barry Finan, Derry Lenehan, Colm Doyle, Cillian O’Brien, Kaelan Burke, Kevin McLoughlin, Conor Sheridan, Dean Burke, Joe D’Arcy, Ruairí Cleary
Navan RFC
Coaches – Owen Hanratty, Bernard De Bear, Ray Hannon, John Coen
Captain – Andrew Beggy
Squad – Charles Johnson, Ronan Hannon, Alex McGory, Gustavo Batista, Ciaran Stafford, Eoin O’Reilly, Gary Faulkner, Jack Cahill, Darragh Mink, Ian Rickard, Killian Buckley, Aaron Joyce, Ciaran Tobin, Eoin Duggan, Andrew Beggy, Andrew Doyle, Ciaran Reilly, David Brady, Harry Conlon, Ronan Meegan, Jack Dixon, Donal Moriarty, Cillian Farrell, Keelin Murphy, Woodley Nickleson, Christian Byrne, Harry Hester, Cian Twomey, William McAleese, Rian Van De Vyver, Sean Walsh, Brian Byrne, Lorcan Ivors, Sean Vodden, Luke Dolan, Mark Coen, Shane Walsh, Gavin Brady
Newbridge RFC
Coaches – Derek ‘Babs’ Dowling, Robbie Waters
Captain – Jeff Draper
Squad – Dave Morgan, Alex Mateus, Will Jennings, Brendan Commane, Tony Ryan, Scott McMullan, Cameron English, Pierce Dargan, Jeff Draper, Tom Treacy, Alfie Thompson, Mike Doyle, Callum Reynolds Bourke, Adam Bingham, Brendan Tiernan, Kevin Commane, Mark Delaney, Billy Delaney, Robbie Waters, Karl Darragh, Eimhin Conroy, Zach Meehan, Oliver Feagin, Denis Clarke, Fergal Doyle, Donal Cashman, Willie Ryan, David Draper, Stephen Cooke, David Mullins, Paidi Davies, Gavin Houlihan
New Ross RFC
Coaches – Derek Furness, David Brennan
Captain – Jimmy Bryan
Squad – Jimmy Bryan, David Bailey, Foley Phillip, Shane Roche, Jordan O’Brien, David Adegbesan, Adam Monaghan, Jamie Brennan, Rory Browne, Bryan Harte, Jack Harte, James Fitzgerald, Michael Tench, Conor Dalton, James Ryan, Tim Coughlan, Joe Coughlan, Sam Prendergast, Jim Ryan, Liam Furness, Des Cleary, Dermot Clancy, Luke Lindel, David Thorpe, Barry Roche, Dean Prendergast, Ciaran Prendergast, Michael Dunleavy, James Dunleavy, Tommy Ryan, Eoin O’Dwyer, Matt Crowdel, Kieran Butler, Cormac Tierney, Craig Bradley, Gary Murphy, Vova Murphy
North Kildare RFC
Coaches – Jack Hurley, Niall McCann
Captain – Calvin Coffey
Squad – Jack Gartland, Paddy Casey, Sean Larkin, Dathi Murphy, Ben Maloco, Darren Kearney, Joe Gerry, Dean Curtin, Louis Bradley, Patrick Dowling, Luke Satchwell, Josh Hinde, Jamie Canning, Jonathon Dean, Matthew Holton, Liam Foran, Ronan Larkin, Matthew Keohane, Calvin Coffey, Morgan McInerney, Seth Capazorio, Mark Farrell, Luke Dempsey, Colm Ó Searcaigh, Ronan O’Dea, Tom Satchwell, Daire Russell
Portlaoise RFC
Coaches – Des Rigney, Bryan Croke, MJ Dwyer
Captain – Ross Cooper
Squad – Oisin Bennett, Eoghan Brennan, Robert Brown, Jay Buggy, Lorcan Byrne, Chris Cahill, Ross Cooper, Scott Cooper, Iain Corrigan, Peter Coss, Eanna Delaney, Cormac Doyle, Brian Dunne, Brian Flannery, Eugene Hearns, Jason Holohan, Jack Kavanagh, Eoin Keenan, Niall Keenan, Nebojsa Kukic, Robert Laffan, Kevin Lynch, Ryan McEvoy, Sean Mullin, Philip O’Brien, Cillian O’Connor, Joe O’Toole, Martin Phelan, Dara Ramsbottom, Jack Reddin, Shane Reilly, Michael Rigney, John Rogers, Mark Sherlock, Cameron Stewart, Simon Williams
Roscrea RFC
Coach – John Maher
Captain – Mikey Treacy
Squad – Delacy Byrne, Stephen Carey, Daryl Carney, Steven Carter, JP Cleary, Calum Cooke, Jack Delaney, Mark Dunne, Cameron Fairbrother, Michael Fitzgerald, Emmett Fitzgerald, Neil Foyle, Gavin Hannon, Enda Harte, Denis Hennessy, Peter Hennessy, Tadgh Hogan, Cillian Hogan, Cathal Hogan, Eoghan Kelly, Denis Kelly, Terence Kenneally, Ciaran Kennedy, Jake Lawlor, Enda Maher, John Maher, Malachy Maher, Sean Maher, Paul McNamara, Thomas McCarthy, Josh Moloney, Eoin Nesbit, Connor O’Dea, Jack Ormond, Sam Quealy, Ben Spencer, Kieran Stone, Ger Stone, Johnathan Sutton, George Sutton, Brendan Toohey, Michael Treacy, Seamus Treacy, Paddy Walsh
Skerries RFC
Coaches – Terry Woods, Billy Mulcahy, John Gavin, Nicky McDonough
Captain – Vinny Watson
Squad – Killian Stuart, Vinny Watson, Mark McElroy, Cian McGuinness, Jim Mulvany, Johnny Clear, Peter O’Neill, Ben McKiernan, Paddy Bracken, Shane Murphy, Ruairi Woods, Billy Mulcahy, Davey Goodman, Mark Oliver, Sam Davidson, Johnny Sherwin, Mike Hislop, Josh Ericsson, Eoghan McDonald, John Healy, Dimitri Pavlyuk, Barry Murphy, Dan O’Driscoll, Dara Lowndes
Tullamore RFC
Coaches – Ivor Scully, Rob Connor, Conor Hegarty, Odhran McIntyre
Captain – Cormac Moloney
Squad – Cormac Moloney, Alan Douglas, Cathal Behan, Shane Fleming, Dean Pearce, Ger Molloy, Kon Fennelly, Cathal Farrell, Ciaran Regan, Conor McGuinness, Dan Cronin, Kevin Browne, James Griffin, Dave Keyes, Eric Martin, Gary Cantwell, Geoff Scully, Jerome Scully, Stephen Joyce, Kealen Feery, Zach Wright, Scott Milne, Kevin Browne, Odhran McIntyre, Eoghan Hickey, Tiernan Mealliffe, Tiarnan Quinn, Paul Galvin, Odhran Hickey, Alex Halpin, Billy Fogarty
Tullow RFC
Coaches – Maurice Logue, Frank Murphy, Mark Cody
Captain – Scott Caldbeck
Squad – Scott Caldbeck, Aaron Byrne, Tom Cashen, Martin Cole, John Hanbidge, Jack McDonald, James O’Brien, Stephen Smith, Dylan Leybourne, Gareth Fitzgerald, Will Kelly, Paul Canavan, Shane Rohan, Ryan O’Neill, Sean Doyle, Louis Kilcoyne, Jordan Leybourne, Des McDonald, Will O’Brien, Frank Murphy, Joe Waters, Cathal Bayley
Wexford Wanderers RFC
Coaches – Niall Neville, Simon Beasanson
Captain – Graham Barry
Squad – Graham Barry, Liam Barry, Tom Barry, Thomas Barry, Tom Brennan, Ben Carr, Ewan Carroll, Vincent Carroll, Bobby Clancy, Cian Connolly, Shane Curran, Scott Dempsey, Ruairi Fenlon, John Gannon, Paul Gannon, Carthaigh Geoghegan, Tadhg Gleeson, Christopher Glover, Michael Harney, Ricky Jones, Nicholas Jones, Gavin Kelly, Bernard Maguire, Dermot Marley, Shane McGuinness, Will Morris, Jack O’Hagan, Sean O’Corcora, Matthew O’Gorman, Sean Redmond, Kevin Redmond, Noel Richard, Kevin Roche, Luke Roche, Sean Roche, Kyle Roche, Aaron Smythe, Conor Stafford, Cameron Steel, Jakub Tarnawski, Patrick Toomey, John Turner, Chris Vickery, Shane Walker, Richie Waters, Mark Whelan.
Wicklow RFC
Coaches – Dan Van Zyl, Paddy Thornton, Denis Higgins, Wes Wojnar
Captain – Shane Farrar
Squad – Dave Nicholson, Jason Byrne, Mark Cullen, Jack McGrath, Stephen Swan, Jonny Hopkins, Dylan Byrne, Save Tuimatanisaqa, Mark Higgins, Niall Earls, Oscar Hayes-Restan, Shane Farrar, Alex Porter, Noah Sheridan, Ben Watson, Aaron Byrne, Neil Dickenson, Denis Higgins, Fergus Ward, Jack McKenna, Adam Cullen, Conor Vize, Cillian Reynolds, Neil Kearney, Jack Dunne, Eanna Killeen, Liam Gaffney, Tom Maguire, Fionn Luddy, Johan van der flier, John Jenkinson, Paddy Thornton
