Buccs duo in Irish U20 squad which shocks the 'Boks

LOCAL rugby followers can continue to watch the progress of Ireland's under-20 squad - which includes Buccaneers duo Jack Carty and Conor Finn - at the 2012 IRB Junior World Championships in South Africa, as TG4 will broadcast live coverage of Mike Ruddock's side's remaining two group fixtures against England (on Friday), and then Italy (next Tuesday, June 12). Though neither Carty or Finn saw action in Ireland's tremendous opening Group B pool game win over host nation South Africa in Stellenbosch last Sunday (19-23), the Buccaneers pair will be hopeful of contributing as the group stage advances. Both Carty, from Barrymore, Athlone, and Finn, from Aughrim, Co Galway, were in outstanding form for Buccaneers throughout the 2011/12 All-Ireland Division 1B campaign, with Carty top-scoring for his club from the out-half position. Ireland players celebrated with gusto after causing a massive upset by beating hosts South Africa 23-19 to silence the home crowd in Stellenbosch last Sunday. Few would have given Ireland a chance of upsetting a Junior Boks side packed with Super Rugby and Sevens experience in their own backyard, particularly without some highly regarded players - including another Buccaneers star, Daniel Qualter - but Mike Ruddock's charges played with pride and refused to buckle under pressure. Tries by Jordan Coughlan and Iain Henderson helped Ireland along the way, while JJ Hanrahan's kicking was also of massive importance. Mullingar's Conor Gilsenan played the full game against South Africa. The IRB Junior World Championship is an international rugby union competition organised by the sport's governing body, the International Rugby Board (IRB), and is contested by 12 men's junior national teams with an under-20 age requirement. The inaugural tournament was held in Wales in June 2008. The Junior World Championship is the upper level of a new IRB tournament structure for U-20 national sides. New Zealand are the current holders having defeated England in last year's final. Junior Rugby World Cup - TG4 Coverage Friday, June 8 - England v Ireland (5.45pm) Tuesday, June 12 - Ireland v Italy, (1.45pm) Sunday, June 17 - Live coverage of Ireland match (KO: TBC) Friday, June 22 - Live coverage of Ireland match (KO: TBC).