The Ireland Mixed 15s Touch Rugby Team. Back Row (L to R): Charlie Moseley-Scoggins,Callum Ghee, Victor Chauvire, Samuel Moraghan, Keeva Mooney, Pearl Tyner, AlanMarnell, Rhys Tanner. Front Row (L to R): Tamati Rangitaawa, Elijah JohnRangitaawa, Tyler Klopper, Molly Guy, Niamh Purtill (Captain), Iseult Naidoo, MollieQuinn.

Offaly Touch Rugby player impresses at European Junior Championship

Published:

The 2024 European Junior Touch Rugby Championship took place recently in Vichy, and there was an Offaly player involved with one of the three Irish squads who travelled to France.

The Mixed 18s squad were the most successful squad, beating Belgium 9-6 to claim a Bronze Medal after going unbeaten through the round robin stage.

The Boys 18s squad meanwhile went down 11-6 to Wales in the 3rd place play-off.

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. Callum Ghee from Tullamore was one of the players on this squad. During the round robin phase, the Mixed 15s claimed victories over the Cayman Islands, Scotland, Belgium and Lebanon with Callum getting a crucial try in the win over the Cayman Islands. This won them a place in the Bronze Medal game where they also faced Wales. Unfortunately for Callum and Ireland they could not claim that elusive medal losing 12-4.

Nevertheless they did their country proud with their great attitude and dedication. Mixed 15s Coach Ola McCulloch added: “The tournament was amazing, the kids had a great time including myself. Our team did very well especially the kids for whom it was their first time playing an international touch tournament, they held their nerve very well. I was hugely impressed by the team on how they handled the loss of a player near the end of the tournament. All and all, it was a great team effort and it was a pleasure to coach the Irish Mixed 15s’.

There are streams of several games involving all the Irish Junior teams available to view on the Federation of International Touch YouTube channel.

Anyone in Offaly either young or old who wishes to try their hand at this fast and exciting sport, there is no active Touch Rugby club currently in the county. However, Buccaneers Touch in Athlone play on Monday nights from 6:45pm throughout the year. For those in the East of the county, MU Barnhall Touch play on Wednesdays at 7pm.

Published: