Ulster team named for Junior Interprovincial Series opener

The Ulster Juniors squad has been named for the opening round of the Junior Interprovincial Series. The Ulster men will travel to play Connacht at Castlebar RFC in Round 1, and Head Coach Richard Boyd has selected players from 11 different clubs for the tie. Looking ahead to the Series, Richard Boyd commented: “I am delighted to be leading the Juniors squad again this year and looking forward to the inter-pro campaign. We have set a high standard to live up to over the past two years but we are well prepared again this year and we will be working hard to have another successful campaign. “The new coaching team of myself, Graeme Eastwood and Gavin Hogg alongside the addition of a number of new faces who have stood out this year for their clubs has brought a real freshness to the squad. The squad have really bought into training and there is a healthy competition for places and an eagerness to keep improving as a group which has been really positive. “We are looking forward to the trip to Connacht and will travel with confidence after our experiences on the road over the past two seasons. Connacht are traditionally a big side and they will be a tough team to beat at home but we must aim to start our campaign off in the right manner and if we play to our potential we can come away with some crucial points.” Ulster Juniors team to play Connacht, Junior Interprovincial Series Round 1, Saturday 27th April at Castlebar RFC: 1 Gavin Warrington (Enniskillen RFC) 2 Matthew Coulter (Ballyclare RFC) 3 Gareth Beatty (Enniskillen RFC) 4 Ross Bingham (Dromore RFC) 5 Timmy Woods (Ballymoney RFC) 6 Cory Tipping (CIYMS RFC) (Captain) 7 Jordan Taylor (Portadown RFC) 8 Connor McKee (Grosvenor RFC) 9 Lee Steenson (Dromore RFC) 10 David Lyttle (Dromore RFC) 11 Tom Caesar (Portadown RFC) 12 Robbie Reid (Ballyclare RFC) 13 Joel McBride (Ballyclare RFC) 14 Owen Kirk (Ballyclare RFC) 15 Paul Armstrong (Clogher Valley RFC) Replacements: 16 Bryn Davies (Limavady RFC) 17 Cathal McNally (Newry RFC) 18 Gary Hume (Randalstown RFC) 19 Stuart Simpson (Limavady RFC) 20 Ben Heath (Dromore RFC) 21 Connor Cambridge (Carrick RFC) 22 Jonny Hyndman (Ballymoney RFC) 23 Michael Kirk (Ballyclare RFC) Management Team: Head Coach: Richard Boyd Assistant Coach: Graeme Eastwood Assistant Coach: Gavin Hogg Team Manager: Colin Hunter Kit Manager: Billy Savage Physio: Katie Barnard Video Analyst: Alross Alejo Last year the Ulster Juniors were just pipped to the title in the final round of games, as they lost narrowly to Leinster. 2019 Junior Interprovincial Series Fixtures: Saturday 27th April, 2.30pm at Castlebar RFC - Connacht v Ulster Saturday 4th May, 2.30pm at Ballyclare RFC - Ulster v Munster Saturday 11th May, 2.30pm at Dundalk RFC - Leinster v Ulster