Local players named in Ireland U-20 rugby squad
Westmeath's Ronan Foxe has been selected on the Ireland U-20 rugby squad for the upcoming Six Nations championship which starts early next month.
Ronan is from Rahugh, near Kilbeggan, but also has very close connections to Rosemount, where his father Jack hails from.
The prop forward went to school in Rosemount NS, where his mother, Marie Reid, is a teacher. He is a also a former student of Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan.
Moate-based Midland Warriors RFC, with whom Ronan has played in the past, has warmly congratulate Ronan on his achievement.
“We are so proud of Ronan for being selected for the Irish U20s Six Nations squad. Ronan has always kept great ties with us here in Moate and he is an inspiration to all our underage players. We, along with the wider rugby community in the Midlands, wish him all the best in this amazing journey!” Midland Warriors posted online.
Rosemount GAA has also congratulated Ronan on his selection, as he played football for Rosemount/Cill Óige (the club's underage section).
A former player with Tullamore RFC, Ronan now plays for Old Belvedere and Leinster.
There are a number of other local connections to the Ireland U-20 squad, with Ballinasloe's John Devine also included.
John, who plays for Galway Corinthians and Connacht, is a son of Mike Devine from Shannonbridge, a legendary figure in the Athlone-based Buccaneers club. John has also played soccer for Moore United FC.
Interestingly, John's older brother Matthew played a starring role on the Ireland U-20 rugby team which claimed Grand Slam success in the 2022 Six Nations championship. Indeed, the former Garbally College student emerged as Ireland's leading try scorer in the competition.
In addition, current Buccaneers player Harry West has been selected in this year’s Ireland squad.
Captained by Leinster hooker Gus McCarthy, Ireland kick off their Six Nations campaign against Wales in Colwyn Bay on Friday, February 3 (kick-off 7pm, live on Virgin Media), before hosting France in Round 2 at Musgrave Park on Friday, February 10 (kick-off 8pm, live on RTE).
U20 Six Nations - Ireland squad
Forwards (17): George Morris (Lansdowne/Leinster), George Hadden (Clontarf/Leinster), Gus McCarthy (UCD/Leinster, captain), Conall Henchy (DUFC/Munster), Danny Sheahan (UCC/Munster), Ronan Foxe (Leinster/Old Belvedere), Fiachna Barrett (Corinthians/Connacht), Paddy McCarthy (DUFC/Leinster), Conor O'Tighearnaigh (DUFC/Leinster), Charlie Irvine (Queen's University/Ulster), Evan O'Connell (UL Bohemians/Munster), Joe Hopes (Queen’s University/Ulster), Jacob Sheahan (UCC/Munster), Diarmuid Mangan (UCD/Leinster), Ruadhán Quinn (Old Crescent/Munster), James McNabney (Ballymena/Ulster), Brian Gleeson (Garryowen/Munster). Backs (15): Jack Oliver (Garryowen/Munster), Oscar Cawley (Naas/Leinster), Fintan Gunne (Terenure/Leinster), Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne/Leinster), Matthew Lynch (DUFC/Leinster), Harry West (Buccaneers/Connacht), Sam Berman (DUFC/Leinster), Hugh Gavin (Galwegians/Connacht), Hugh Cooney (Clontarf/Leinster), John Devine (Corinthians/Connacht), Ike Anagu (La Rochelle/IQ Rugby), James Nicholson (UCD/Leinster), Rory Telfer (Queen’s University/Ulster), Henry McErlean (Terenure/Leinster), Noah Sheridan (Clontarf/Leinster).