The 2024 European Junior Touch Rugby Championship took place recently in Vichy and there were two Wexford players involved with one of the three Irish squads who travelled to France…
The Ireland Boys 18s squad included Isaac Young from Gorey and Finn Standing from Inch. Both players play their club Touch with the DSC Wanderers club based in Dublin while Isaac also plays rugby with Gorey RFC. The Boys 18s faced a very tough schedule in this competition, taking on their peers from England, France, Wales and Lebanon as well the Mens 20s sides from England and France.
Despite this they qualified for the Bronze Medal match with an 11-2 win over Lebanon. They put in a very strong performance against a good Welsh side before going down 11-6. Isaac impressed during the tournament with his pace and ability to beat defenders. He ended up scoring 4 tries overall for the Boys 18s. Finn also got on the scoresheet with a try against France Mens 20s. As well as the two Wexford boys, the Boys 18s also included Arkow RFC players Luka Nagys and Tadhg Scott.
The Mixed 18s squad were the most successful of the three Ireland squads. They won the Bronze Medal beating Belgium 9-6 in the 3rd place play-off. They had earlier suffered a disappointing 11-10 defeat to Wales in the semi-final. They had seven Co. Wicklow players in their squad of 16 as well as coach Darren Curran from Wicklow Town.
The Mixed 15s squad was the youngest of the three Ireland squads to play in Vichy and they did exceptionally well to achieve fourth place. During the round robin phase, they claimed victories over the Cayman Islands, Scotland, Belgium and Lebanon. This won them a place in the Bronze Medal game where they also faced Wales. Unfortunately for Ireland they could not claim that elusive medal losing 12-4. Eight of the 16 players on the squad were from Wicklow including Tyler Klopper from Arklow, who plays his rugby union with Gorey RFC. Arklow RFC player Pearl Tyner from Avoca was also a member of the team.
There are streams of several games involving all the Irish Junior teams available to view on the Federation of International Touch YouTube channel.
Any kids or indeed adults in North County Wexford or South Wicklow who wish to try their hand at this fast and exciting sport, see Wicklow Touch on Facebook or Instagram for more information. They play every Friday evening at 7pm at Wicklow RFC.
Wexford Weekly
This article was published by a member of the Wexford Weekly team.
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