Local rugby player stars for Ireland schools’ team
Diarmaid O'Connell after being presented with his Ireland jersey by former Ireland back-row, C.J. Stander.
Carrick RFC player, Diarmaid O’Connell, is just back from South Africa after being selected on the Ireland U-18 schools’ team.
Following on from this year’s U-18 Six Nations Festival in Parma, Italy, Ireland’s U-18 schools’ played in an International Series, giving the players a chance to test themselves against three quality international opposition sides — South Africa, England and Georgia — in a high-performance environment, while touring the great rugby nation of South Africa.
Diarmaid played the full matches against both England and South Africa and came in early against Georgia. He was named on the Team of the Week after the England match.
Ireland opened The series in fine style with a well-earned 42-28 win over England in Cape Town.
In their second match, a dominant first-half performance laid the foundation for a well-deserved 38-26 victory for South Africa in Paarl in the Western Cape province.
In their third and final match, a determined late defensive stand saw Ireland edge out Georgia 17-15, also in Paarl.
Everyone at Carrick RFC wishes Diarmaid the very best for the season ahead.
Carrick RFC is hosting an invitational match at their pitch in Keenaghan (off the Castlecarra Road) this Saturday, September 7th.
The visiting Dublin teams are Monkstown and Bective Rangers and kick off is at 4 p.m.. All are welcome, and admission is free.
