John Finnan shows his delight after Marist College’s victory over Sligo Grammar School in the 2025 Connacht Junior Cup final replay. Photo: ZoeLangsdale/Connacht Rugby.

Finnan on Ireland U18 Clubs squad for Italy clash

Kieran Galvin

Published: Thu 29 Oct 2026, 3:03 PM

John Finnan of Buccaneers RFC has been named in the Ireland U18 Clubs squad for Saturday's international match against Italy U18 in Rovigo.

The Marist College student is among the list of nine replacements for the fixture in the north east of Italy.

Finnan has enjoyed considerable rugby success with Marist College and he was on the Marist team which retained the Connacht Schools Senior Cup earlier this year. In 2025, he helped the Athlone school to win the Connacht Junior Cup.

John has also excelled in touch rugby with Buccaneers and in athletics. In addition, he has shown prowess in Gaelic football with Cill Óige, an underage club which takes in the Castledaly and Rosemount areas.

Naas RFC second row forward Aidan Tamming will captain the Irish team for Saturday's encounter, which kicks off at 1pm Irish time (2pm local time). The list of replacements also includes Channing Dafel of Mullingar RFC.

The fixture marks the culmination of a productive preparation period for the Ireland U18 Clubs squad, with players representing clubs, schools and provinces from across the island, alongside IQ Rugby representatives.

Speaking ahead of the match, head coach Andy Wood said: "The entire squad and management team are looking forward to this international fixture away to Italy. It's been a great couple of weeks building towards this opportunity, and everyone involved is excited for the challenge ahead."

Ireland U18 Clubs team vs Italy:

15. Leon Regan (Boyne RFC/St Joseph's CBS Drogheda/Leinster)

14. Rocco Quigley (Enniscorthy RFC/St Mary's CBS Enniscorthy/Leinster)

13. Alan Marnell (Seapoint RFC/Newpark Comprehensive School/Leinster)

12. David Walsh (Corinthians RFC/St Enda's College Galway/Connacht)

11. Tom Smyth (Claremorris Colts RFC/St Louis Community School Kiltimagh/Connacht)

10. Elliott Young (Haberdashers Monmouth/IQ Rugby)

9. Conor Martin (Navan RFC/Coláiste Dún an Rí/Leinster)

1. Thomas Buckley (Bruff RFC/St Munchin's College/Munster)

2. Felix Zeray (Westport RFC/Rice College/Connacht)

3. Ben Ledlie (Larne RFC/Larne Grammar School/Ulster)

4. Ciaran Dunne (Portlaoise RFC/St Mary's CBS Portlaoise/Leinster)