Limerick players impress as Ireland U20s thump Wales in Six Nations

CLINICAL Ireland U20s turned in a highly impressive display to put Wales to the sword in the second half to record a convincing 43-8 victory in their U20 Six Nations fixture at a sold-out Virgin Media Park on Friday night.

Grand slam champions Ireland racked up six tries in all through Seán Edogbo, younger brother of Munster star Edwin, Henry Walker replacement hooker Danny Sheahan, who scored two, Hugh Gavin and Ben O’Connor.

Ireland U20s now face England U20s in a crucial round four fixture at Bath's Recreation grounds next month.  

Limerick's Evan O'Connell played a captain's part earning the Man of the Match accolade in the convincing success. The highly-regarded O'Connell, of UL-Bohemian, a past pupil of Castletroy College, is a member of the Munster Academy.

The skipper turned in an eye-catching display in the engine room as Ireland maintained their hopes of achieving a three-in-a-row of Grand Slams at U20 level in front of a capacity attendance of 8,400.

Shannon RFC, Luke Murphy, of Shannon RFC, impressed at number eight for a dominant Irish side. Powerful ball carrier and scrummager Murphy represented Ardscoil Ris at Munster Schools Senior Cup level.

Another Shannon clubman, who attended Ardscoil Ris, Emmet Calvey, made a big impact in the contest when introduced off the replacements' bench early in the second half of the game. 

It was a proud evening for Calvey who was making his Ireland U20 Six Nations debut as he was a late call-up to the match-day squad.

Ireland led the game 17-3 at half-time.

IRELAND U-20: Ben O'Connor (UCC RFC/Munster); Finn Treacy (Galwegians RFC/Connacht), Wilhelm de Klerk (UCD RFC/Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht), Hugo McLaughlin (Lansdowne FC/Leinster); Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Oliver Coffey (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster); Ben Howard (Terenure College RFC/Leinster), Henry Walker (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Patreece Bell (Sale Sharks/IQ Rugby), Joe Hopes (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Evan O'Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster) (capt), Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster), Bryn Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster), Luke Murphy (Shannon RFC/Munster). Replacements: Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster), Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC/Leinster), Emmet Calvey (Shannon RFC/Munster), Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), Tom Brigg (Queen's University Belfast RFC/Ulster), Tadhg Brophy (Naas RFC/Leinster), Sean Naughton (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), Davy Colbert (Dublin University FC/Leinster).

WALES U-20: Huw Anderson (Dragons); Harry Rees-Weldon (Dragons), Louie Hennessey (Bath), Harri Ackerman (Dragons) (capt), Walker Price (Dragons); Harri Wilde (Cardiff), Ieuan Davies (Bath); Josh Morse (Scarlets), Harry Thomas (Scarlets), Sam Scott (Midlands Central), Jonny Green (Harlequins), Nick Thomas (Dragons), Osian Thomas (Leicester Tigers), Harry Beddall (Leicester Tigers), Lucas de la Rua (Cardiff). Replacements:Will Austin (Sale Sharks), Jordan Morris (Dragons), Kian Hire (Ospreys), Owen Conquer (Ebbw Vale), Will Plessis (Scarlets), Rhodri Lewis (Ospreys), Harri Ford (RGC), Macs Page (Scarlets).

Referee: Federico Vedovelli (Italy)