Boys teams named for Wales and France matches

Marc McKinstry

The GUI has named 16 Boys in two eight-strong teams to take on France and Wales in international friendly matches later this month.

Eight players have been included in the Ireland team to play France at Saint Donat from March 15-16 while a different team of eight will travel to Wales for another two-day encounter at Cardigan GC from March 30-31.

With six newcomers in the team to play France, Ireland will be leaning on the experience of Bray’s Alan Fahy, who played in last year’s Boys Home Internationals while Owen Crooks played in last year’s friendly against the French.

Reece Black, Jack Hearn, Mark Power and Cameron Raymond have graduated from the Irish under-16s.

Cairndhu’s Marc McKinstry, who also played in last year’s Home Internationals, is the most experienced member of the eight-man side to play Wales.

Matthew Fitzsimons played in last year’s friendly against the Welsh while Sean Desmond and JJ Logue featured with the Ireland under-16s in 2015.

“It’s the start of a new season and the first appearance for a lot of these players,” said Cathal McConn, who is in his second year as Ireland Boys’ Captain.

Ireland will play foursomes (four matches) and singles (eight matches) each day against France at Saint Donat, which is located near Cannes on the south coast.

There will be three foursomes matches on the opening day against Wales followed by eight singles matches in the afternoon. There will be eight more singles matches on the second day against Wales at Cardigan.

Alan Fahy

Ireland v France (15-16 March)

• Reece Black (Hilton Templepatrick)
• Owen Crooks (Bushfoot)
  
• Alan Fahy (Bray)
  
• Jack Hearn (Tramore)
  
• Andrew Mulhall (Waterford Castle)
  
• John Murphy (Kinsale)
  
• Mark Power (Kilkenny)
  
• Cameron Raymond (Newlands)

Ireland v Wales (30-31 March)

• Sean Desmond (Monstown)
  
• Matthew Fitzsimons (Ardglass)
  
• Harry Gillivan (Westport)
  
• Ross Kelly (Tuam)
  
• JJ Logue (Hilton Templepatrick)
  
• Jack McGarry (Rosslare)
  
• Marc McKinstry (Cairndhu)
  
• Joseph O’Neill (Tralee).