Leinster schools rugby: Squad lists and prospects

All of the information you need on all 14 schools competing for the senior cup

Cistercian College Roscrea players celebrate with the Leinster Schools Cup after beating Belevedere College in last year’s final. Photo: Dan Sheridan/Inpho
Cistercian College Roscrea players celebrate with the Leinster Schools Cup after beating Belevedere College in last year’s final. Photo: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

BLACKROCK

Coaches: Peter Smyth (Head Coach), Gareth Pickering (Backs Coach), Karl Curran (Assistant Backs Coach), Brian Savage (Forwards Coach), Tony Smeeth (Technical Advisor), Daniel Moore (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Seamus Toomey (Forwards Coach/Physio), Evan O'Brien (Gamesmaster).

Captain: Caelan Doris.

Squad: Emmet Burns*, Tiernan O'Hagan, Giuseppe Coyne, Oisin Dougan, Carl Delaney, Richie Mouatt*, Charlie Connolly, Thomas Clarkson, Andrew Savage, Joe Byrne, Hugh Eggleston, Stephen McLaughlin, James McShane, Sean Moloney, Jay Mion, Rory Fitzpatrick, Charlie Ryan*, Niall Marshall*, Colm O'Flaherty, Jack Gardiner, Cillian Daly, Ross Doyle, Jack Stapleton, Matthew Campbell, Calean Doris*, Richard Dunne*, John Fairley*, Andrew Murphy*, Hugo Burke, Alan Francis, Niall Murray, Mikey Sexton, Mark Nugent, Hugo Walsh, Matthew Carroll, Michael McGagh, Patrick Patterson*, Luke Gaffney*, Louis O'Reilly, Mark Phelan, Jack Cosgrove, Conor Dean*, Paul Cullen, Peter O'Reilly*, Brian Grogan, Tommy O'Brien*, Gavin Mullin*, Alejandro Alonso, Tom Roche, Jack Ringrose, Ben Layden, Ross Deacon, James McGowan*, Liam Turner, Conor Kelly, Andrew Westman, Paddy Fox, Nick Gleeson, John Gallagher, David Heavey, Stephen Kilgallen*, Ferdia Power, James Moriarty.

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Representative players: Leinster under-19s - Charlie Ryan, Luke Gaffney, Gavin Mullen, Steven Kilgallen, James McGowan. Leinster under-18s - Caelan Doris, John Fairley, Andrew Murphy, Patrick Patterson, Conor Dean, Tommy O'Brien.

How school performed in 2015 cup: Sensationally beaten 17-14 in the quarter-finals by eventual winners CC Roscrea.

Pre-cup record: Won 12, including victories over St Michael's and St Mary's. Lost one game to Belvedere College.

Odds to win the cup: 8/15.

ST MICHAEL’S

Coaches: Andy Skehan (head coach), Andy Kenny (assistant coach), Shane O'Brien (skills coach), Charlie Cregan (forwards coach), James Tracy (scrum coach), Andy Burke (sports performance coach), James Ruxton (assistant sports performance coach), John Ryan (doctor), Fionn Daly (head physio), Shane Grannell (senior physio), Emmet MacMahon (manager).

Captain: Jack Kelly.

Squad: Ronan Kelleher, Tomas Killeen*, Sam Griffin*, Peter O'Beirne, Darragh Thompson, Liam Mulvihill, Milo O'Donohoe, Harry Byrne*, Robert Duffy*, Charlie Allen, Alex Deegan*, David Moran, Richie Melvin, James Hickey*, Daniel DeLoughrey, Chris Carey*, Conor Quinn, David Ryan, Max Kennedy*, Michael Corcoran, Stephen Judge, Sean Kavanagh, Lorcan Rooney, Michael Heaney, Jack Dunne*, Andrew Doran, Ryan Baird, Jeff O'Loughlin, Bobby Leahy, Ian Walsh, Andrew Courtney*, Jack Kelly*, Jody Booth, Ian O'Kelly, Barry Fitzpatrick*, Conor Curley, Oisin Dowling*, Ruairi Frankling, Scott Penny, Rob Russell, Ross Victory, Harry McIntyre, Michael Roche, Noah Butler, Marc Simmons, Arthur Greene, Cian O'Gorman, Dan O'Donovan.

Representative players: Leinster under-19 training panel - Oisin Dowling and Jack Kelly. Ireland under-18 training panel - Ronan Kelleher. Leinster under-18 interpro squad - James Hickey, Harry Byrne, Chris Carey and Jack Dunne.

How school performed in 2015 cup: Knocked out by Clongowes Wood in the quarter-finals.

Pre-cup record: Won eight, including beating Clongowes. However they were beaten by Belvedere, Blackrock and St Mary's among their seven losses, as well as a draw with Terenure.

Odds to win the cup: 8/1.

WESLEY COLLEGE

Coaches: Patrick Collins (head coach), Iain Wallace (forwards coach), Greg Hawe (backs coach), Peter Tierney (strength and conditioning coach).

Captain: Adam Curry.

Squad: Alex Barlow, Conor Kirwin, Campbell Classon*, Andrew Lynham, Bill Corrigan*, David Motyer, Luke Corish*, Stephen May*, Adam Culbert, T.J Malone, Adam Curry*, Joseph O'Connor, Sean Dunne, Alistair Quirke, Andrew Egan, Ian Sheridan, Daniel Gilmer*, Tim Spencer, Matthew Guest*, Matthew Strong*, Will Hayden, Ben Whitehead*, Gary Hawe, Robbie Whitehead, Sam Kenny*.

Representative players: None.

How school performed in 2015 cup: Lost to CC Roscrea in first round.

Pre-cup record: Beat Skerries CC to reach the Vinnie Murray Cup final where they play Castleknock.

Odds to win the cup: Odds unavailable at the time of publishing.

CISTERCIAN ROSCREA

Coaches: Pieter Swanepoel (head coach), Rob Dempsey (assistant coach), John Moylan (forwards coach), John Burns (back coach), Brendan McKeogh (manager), Rob Cassidy (strength and conditioning coach), Anne Harrington (medical).

Captain: Simon Meagher.

Squad: Simon Meagher *, Alan Tynan*, Jack Culligan, Robert Enraght Moony, Aaron Murphy, Fineen Wycherley*, Dylan Murphy*, Eoghan Maher*, Ryan Lomas, Keith Kavanagh*, Rory Gaffney, Cillian Walsh, Sam Hastings, Philip O Shea*, Micheal O Reilly, Conor Kelly*, Aaron Coughlan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Jay Culleton, Ben Rock, Evan Browne, Liam Crowley, Darragh Treacy, Tom Byrne, Dan Ward, David Maher, Tiernan McCloskey, Cathal Walsh, Conor Timmons, Ryan McDonnell, Thomas Martin, Rowan O Halloran, Robert Deacy, Darragh Keating, Andrew O Connor, Conor Groome, Kevin Fitzgerald, Paul Keane, Dan Keane*, Jack Canning, Dan Power, Michael Milne, Finbarr Crowley, David Mackey, Adi Donovan, Jeaic O' Cinneide Pender, Joe Murphy*, James Brandon, Brian Diffley*, Matthew Nugent, Aaron Browne*, Neil Moylett.

Representative players: Ireland under-19s - Simon Meagher, Fineen Wycherley, Dyland Murphy. Leinster under-19s - Alan Tynan. Ireland under-18s - Aaron Browne, Brian Diffley, Rory Gaffney. Leinster under-18s - Aaron Browne.

How school performed in 2015 cup: Pulled off a major shock to get to the final by dismissing Blackrock along the way before beating Belvedere in the final 18-11 to claim a first ever title.

Pre-cup record: Beat Kilkenny 22-17 to win the league in December after beating St Gerard's and Kings Hospital along the way.

Odds to win the cup: 9/1.

KILKENNY COLLEGE

Coaches: Gordon Rowe (head coach), Jeff Carter (assistant coach), Jerry Clarke (assistant coach), Wesley Carter (strength & conditioning coach).

Captain: Glenn Dudley.

Squad: Glen Holmes*, Philip Deane, Dylan Breadley*, John Ridgeway*, Adam Oakes, Joshua Miller*, Scott Levie*, Gavin Talbot*, Jordan Leybourne*, Geoffrey Chapman*, Lloyd Stephens, Gavin Parr, Glenn Dudley*, Reuben Pim, Anu Awonusi*, Stephen Gray, William Rothwell, Finn Connolly*, Jack Delahunt*, Alexander Crossley, Natanael Costa-Wallace, Ben O'Sullivan, Craig Strong, Evan Stephenson, Lukman Onilenla, Matthew Keane, Andrew Florio, Shane Fahy, Aubrey Bradley, David Young.

Representative players: Leinster under-18s - Joshua Miller.

How school performed in 2015 cup: Knocked out in the first round by Newbridge College.

Pre-cup record: Won 10 and lost five including wins over Cardiff and Vale District under-19s on a UK tour last October. Reached the league final by beating Newbridge and St Andrew's before losing to Roscrea in the final.

Odds to win the cup: 40/1.

GONZAGA COLLEGE

Coaches: John Murphy (head coach), David Murphy & Mark McGroarty (assistant coaches), Oliver O'Brien (manager), Niall McNelis (strength and conditioning), Niall Bevan (physio).

Captain: Barry Goulding.

Squad: Eoin Barr, Harry Brennan*, Adam Browne*, Eoin Buggy, Daniel Carson, Alex Caslin*, Simon Clear, Thomas Costello*, Evin Coyle*, Shane Dempsey, Chris Dillon, Dermot English, Conor Farrell, Sean Galvin, Conor Gleeson*, Barry Goulding*, Oran James*, Fiachra Keane*, Mark Keegan, Robert Kelly*, James Kenny*, Robbie Kidney, David Lynch, Henry Lynch, Conor MacMahon*, Jack MacNamara*, Ruairi McCabe, Alex McEvoy*, Frank McHugh*, Matt Meagher, Jack Mulcahy, Declan Murphy, Brian O'Donnell, Rory O'Donnell, Harry O'Grady*, Ian O'Grady, Micheal O'Kennedy*, Mikey O'Sullivan, Killian Quigley, Enda Ryder*, Hugh Twomey.

Representative players: Leinster under-19s - Barry Goulding. Leinster schools under-18s - Conor Gleeson and Evin Coyle.

How school performed in 2015 cup: Lost in the first round to Belvedere 32-5.

Pre-cup record: Won five and lost five

Odds to win the cup: 50/1.

BELVEDERE COLLEGE

Coaches: Phil Werahiko (head coach), Stephen Gibbons, Massey Tuhakaraina, Rory Litchfield, Damien Butler, Michael Lawlor, Eoin Smith, Ivan Soroka.

Captain: Brian Egan.

Squad: Aaron Murphy, Aidan Peate, Alex Kavanagh, Andre Grennell, Andrew Sheridan, Anthony McDonnell, Brian Egan*, Brian Gibbons, Cian Buckley, Cian Galvin*, Cian Walsh, Cillian Molloy, Cillian White, Conor Byrne, Conor Doran, Conor Jennings*, Conor Wynne-Walsh, Daniel McCaffrey*, Darragh Ring, David Delaney, David Hawkshaw, David Hill, David Lacey, Eoin Sweeney, Fergus Flood, Fiachra Smith, Gerard Hill, Greg Petherbridge, Grellan Murray, Hugh O'Sullivan*, Hugh Sexton*, Jake McNicholl, Jake Robinson, James Herity, James Kenny*, James Lynch, James McKeown*, James Power, Jesse Iredale*, Jordan Wilkes, Liam Price, Max Kearney*, Nathan Merrigan, Neil Minogue, Paraic Cagney, Peter Maher, Ruadhan Byron, Sam Barry, Sam Osborne, Sean McKeon, Senan McNulty*, Stephen Meagher, Stephen O'Quigley, Ted Walsh, Tom de Jongh*, William Lyons.

Representative players: Leinster under-19s - Brian Egan, Conor Jennings, Daniel McCaffrey. Leinster under-18s - Hugh O'Sullivan.

How school performed in 2015 cup: Beaten 18-11 in a thrilling final by CC Roscrea.

Pre-cup record: Won seven and lost four. Notable victories came against St Michael's and Blackrock.

Odds to win the cup: 5/1.

KING’S HOSPITAL

Coaches: Matt Jarvis (head coach), Henry Bryce and Darragh Burke (assistant coaches).

Captain: Tom Doyle.

Squad: Sean Goodburn*, Conor Murphy*, OJ Onolememen*, Finning Shilling *, Tom Doyle*, Sam Charman*, Jordan White*, David Boles*, Scott Le Roux*, Patrick O'Boy, Daniel Corr, Dlyan Corocan, Connall Howley, Harrinson Mahood, Paul McCullagh*, Jack Courtney, Felix Campbell, Nathanael Sibanda, Daniel Eiffe, Cathel Mullen, David Sheill*, Liam Morgan*, Sam Wrafter, Daniel Courtney *.

Representative players: None.

How school performed in 2015 cup: Lost 40-10 to St Andrew's in the first round.

Pre-cup record: Beaten by Newbridge and St Gerard's in the league before losing to eventual winners Roscrea in quarter-finals.

Odds to win cup: 66/1.

CBC MONKSTOWN

Coaches: Ronan O'Donovan (head coach), David Lewis (forwards coach), Dr Gerry Barry (manager), Dan Hazely (strength and conditioning coach).

Captain: Robert Jordan.

Squad: Jack MacAteer*, Eoghan Clarke*, Connor Montayne, Alex Holmes*, Kieran Brady, Dylan O Regan, Alec Byrne*, Rob Doyle*, William Fay*, Cameron Madden, Ben Reynolds, Kenzi Kouadri, Zach Sattar, Calum Kavanagh, Gavin King, Alex Guard, Mark Theunissen, Jeff Mahon, Jack Blennerhassett, Paddy Rogers*, Thomas O' Callaghan*, Tom Kelly*, Shane O' Hanrahan, Cameron Watson, Darragh Porter*, Luke Sweeney, Eoghan Vaughan, Darragh Forster, Taylor Whyte, Henry Spellman, Alex Guerin.

Representative players: Leinster under-19s - Rob Jordan. Leinster under-18s - Eoghan Clarke, William Faye and Thomas O'Callaghan. Ireland under-18s - Eoghan Clarke, William Faye and Thomas O'Callaghan.

How school performed in 2015 cup: Eased past CUS in the first round before losing to eventual finalists Belvedere in the quarter-finals.

Pre-cup record: It's been a poor start with losses to St Andrew's and St Gerard's in the league.

Odds to win cup: 50/1.

TERENURE COLLEGE

Coaches: John Coffey (head coach), Peter O'Malley, Michael Shanahan, Stephen O'Neill, Harrison Brewer, Andrew Moss, Danny Woods (assistant coaches), Dr B Twomey, Dr C O'Kelly, Ian Morley (medical staff).

Captain: Jack Dignam.

Squad: John Murphy, Christian Collins, Zak Vaughan*, Adam La Grue, Stevie Barry, Mark Fabian*, Sam Dardis, Jack Byrne, Jake Moore, Paddy O'Dowd, Callum Ashmore, Mark Kirwan*, Ciaran Cahill*, Mark Eaton, Philip Jordan, Harry O'Dowd, David McQueirns, Barry O'Toole, Jack Boyden*, Harry O'Neill, Joe Kerins, Adam Melia, Jeff Clarkin*, Finn Bolger, Conor O'Sullivan*, Jamie Murphy, Jacob Henry-Hayes, Sean Patchell, Matthew Bolger, John Quirke, Scott Broderick, Jack Cadell, Bill O'Hara, Leo Fabre, Cormac O'Kelly, Declan O'Keefe, Ben Murphy, Jack O'Hare, Rory Byrne, Rory McGrath, Sean Collins, Oisin Byrne, Josh Long, Adam Tuite, Jack Dignam*, Ted O'Donghue*.

Representative players: Leinster under-18s - Jack o'Donoghue and Ted Dignam.

How school performed in 2015 cup: Knocked out in the first round by Blackrock.

Pre-cup record: Won eight, drew one and lost four.

Odds to win cup: 9/1.

ST ANDREW’S COLLEGE

Coaches: Ian Dumbleton (head coach), Peter Dumbleton, Brian Keegan, Greg Jones (assistant coaches), David Jones (strength and conditioning coach), David Boyd (manager).

Captain: Jordan Larmour.

Squad: Sean Ballance*, Hugh Black, Jamie Boag, Michael Bruun-Nielsen, Dougie Burns, Cormac Campbell, Ben Crowley, Daragh Geraghty-Singleton, Zola Henry*, Aidan Hetherington, Elliott Higgins, Will Holland*, Daniel James, Nick Judge, Stephen Keane, Adam Larmour ( Leinster & Ireland hockey, Jordan Larmour*, James Meier, Harry McCarthy*, Joe McDonagh*, David Molloy, Dagan Morris, Patrick Murray, David Nam, Ben Nolke*, Jack O'Brien, Harry O'Byrne*, Mark O'Carroll, Aran O'Neill, Rian O'Flaherty*, Mark O'Reilly, Ben Ryan*, Rory Simington, Andrew Sullivan, Peter Sullivan*, Andrew Vincent, David Wilson*.

Representative players: Leinster under-19s - Jordan Larmour.

How school performed in 2015 cup: Beaten 13-5 in the quarter-finals by Newbridge.

Pre-cup record: Beaten in the league semi-final by Kilkenny.

Odds to win cup: 66/1.

CASTLEKNOCK COLLEGE

Coaches: Colin Townsend (head coach), Adrian Flavin (director of rugby), Tom McKeown (forwards coach), Darran Sheils (assistant coach), Brian Smyth (assistant coach), Ro Fallon (physio), John Stack and John McCole (strength and conditioning).

Captain: Cathal Bermingham.

Squad: Jack Keleghan*, Gavin Murray*, Jack Horgan*, Connor O'Brien, Josh Connolly, James Branagan, Nico Eastmond*, Cathal Lacey, Michael Corcoran, Pádraig Whelan, Daniel Treacy, Jack Rafter, Darragh McNally, Conor Stinson*, Alex Doyle, Mikey O'Malley, James Gibney*, Carl Keogh*, Raoul Masterson, Cian Clancy, Patrick Murtagh*, Jamie McGaley, Andrew Hobson*, Seán Gibbons*, Daniel Duggan, Cian Egenton, Michael McGinley, Liam Salmon*, Rayan Bouguerra, Cathal Bermingham*, Adam Corcoran, Andrew Proudfoot, Al O'Farrell.

Representative players: Leinster under-18s - Carl Keogh.

How school performed in 2015 cup: Knocked out in the first round by Clongowes Wood.

Pre-cup record: Beat Wilson's Hospital to reach the Vinnie Murray cup final where they play Wesley.

Odds to win cup: Odds unavailable at the time of publishing.

CLONGOWES WOOD

Coaches: Brett Igoe (head coach), Pat Kenny (assistant coach), Matthew Wright (assistant coach), Brian Murray (strength and conditioning coach), David Lyons (physio).

Captain: Jack Moore.

Squad: Dan Sheehan, Arthur Odlum, Cathal Duff, Andrew Kelly, Fiachra Lynch, Harry O'Neill, Ronan Hannon, Patrick Celebi, Sean Phelan, David Jeffares, Daniel Beggs, Jonathan Nally, Conrad Daly, Jake Martin, Christian Casey, Ben Messayeh, Barry Doyle, Shane Hogan, Dan Fitzpatick, David Murtagh, Liam Callanan, Joseph Gilmartin, Tadhg Dooley, Sean McMahon, Sean McCrohan*, Jack Moore*, Patrick Nulty*, Florence McCarthy, Ed Carroll*, Joseph Martin, Gareth Graham, Gavin Dowling, Joe Murphy*, Thomas Monaghan*, Reinis Lemess, Patrick Delap, Brian Maher, Miles O'Connor, Jack Gilheney, Michael Stapleton, Liam El Sibai, Michael Silvester*, Ben O'Shea, Connell Kennelly.

Representative players: Leinster under-18s - Michael Silvester.

How school performed in 2015 cup: Dramatically beaten by Belvedere in the semi-finals after a brave comeback.

Pre-cup record: Played four and lost four but ran St Michael's and Belvedere close.

Odds to win cup: 12/1.

NEWBRIDGE COLLEGE

Coaches: Niall Smullen (Head Coach), David Brew (Backs Coach), Jonathan Newsome, (Manager/Assistant Coach), Ben Swindlehurst (Assistant Coach).

Captain: Tim Murphy.

Squad: Tom Berney, Daniel Bradley, David Breen*, Adam Browne, Gavin Burke, Ben Caulfield, Ruairi Cleary*, Nicholas Cody, Elliot Davis, Jonathan Deane, Michael Dillon, Caomhán Doolan, Enda Dowling, Colm Doyle*,Peter Doyle, Jordan Duggan*, Tom Finn, James Fitzpatrick, Ciaran Fletchmoore, Luke Heffernan, Theodore Hovenden Kelly, Ben Howlett, Robbie Hyland, Dylan Johnson, Sam Jones, Mike Joyce*, Ciarán Joyce, David Kennedy, Kevin Kyne, Ross Maher, Cian Mahon, Cillian McCarthy, Shane McGroary, Andrew McLoughlin, Luke Morris, Cian Murphy, Daniel Murphy, Daithi Murphy*, Tim Murphy* (Captain), Cillian O'Brien, Patrick O'Brien, Tom O'Neill*, Sean O'Neill, Josh Peacock, Alex Pocock, Cian Prendergast, Michael Ryan, Patrick Ryan*, Colm Stapleton*, Niall Stapleton, Andrew Sweeney, Paschal Thompson, Dylan Walker*, Rob Wynne, Louis Younge.

Representative players: Leinster under-18s - Daithi Murphy, Tim Murphy, Patrick Ryan. Leinster under-17s - Ben Howlett, Kevin Kyne.

How school performed in 2015 cup: Beaten by Roscrea in a semi-final replay.

Pre-cup record: Topped group in league campaign, winning every game. Knocked out in the quarter-finals by Kilkenny College.

Odds to win cup: 50/1.

Ruaidhrí Croke

Ruaidhrí Croke

Ruaidhrí Croke is a sports journalist with The Irish Times