Five Mayo players in Connacht U18 matchday squad face Ulster in Interpro semi

After an incredibly successful U18 Interpro campaign to date, the U18 Connacht Girls team will face Ulster on Thursday in their semi-final at Terenure RFC. They last played Ulster in August in their home match at Corinthians RFC where they came away with a 42-12 win.

Five Mayo girls are in the matchday squad with Ballina RFC's trio of Gráinne Moran, Ailish Quinn and Emily Foley all starting, Claremorris Colts RFC's Aoife Heaney slots in at full-back, while Ballinrobe's Amy Horan is among the replacements. Castlebar's Aine O'Connor and Claremorris' Ruby Jennings are on the extended panel.

"There is always a huge sense of pride in our U18 Girls. Their commitment, determination and desire to represent their province is something that will always shine through. For the majority of the squad, they worked hard for almost two years and gained the right to win 3/3 in the summer games against Ulster, Munster and Leinster. Now with some new recruits, it all comes down to our first play off against Ulster on Thursday. This will be the decider on who makes the final on Sunday next [in Buccaneers RFC]," says manager Natalie Fox.

"The work is done, but we have a shorter window for the Feb games which also includes selection. With a younger age bracket than last summer (06,07,08), it definitely shakes things up, but it also gives those that are that big younger a taste of what we do in our Connacht U18 Girls Summer Programme.

I have no doubt the nerves will kick in on the day, but my hope is the players realise what a fantastic opportunity they have been given to do their best and enjoy every second."

The team would appreciate support from clubs, families and friends this Thursday at Terenure RFC - getting that good Connacht atmosphere in Terenure will only make the experience more special.

Connacht U18 Girls' Matchday Squad vs Ulster: Aoife Heaney (Claremorris Colts RFC), Saoirse Lawley (Sligo RFC), Sarah Purcell (Creggs RFC) (captain), Siofra Hession (Creggs RFC), Emily Foley (Ballina RFC), Jemma Lees (Corinthians RFC), Grainne Moran (Ballina RFC); Ciara Corrigan (Creggs RFC), Uillin Eilian (Tuam/Oughterard RFC), Ella Burns (Tuam/Oughterard RFC), Catherine Fleming (Ballinasloe RFC), Chloe Conneely (Tuam/Oughterard RFC), Merisa Kiripati (Creggs RFC), Ailish Quinn (Ballina RFC), Jemima Adams Verling (Creggs RFC). 

Replacements: Louise Seoighe (Tuam/Oughterard RFC), Amy Horan (Ballinrobe RFC), Isabelle Quinn (Creggs RFC), Alannah McKeigue (Ballinasloe RFC), Aisling Whyte (Corinthians RFC), Katie McNamara (Loughrea RFC), Shauna Walsh (Creggs RFC), Meabh Flannery (Corinthians RFC).

Management team: Craig Hansberry (Head Coach), Luke O'Donnell (Backs Coach), Simon Lawless (Forwards Coach), and Natalie Fox (Team Manager).

Extended Squad: Aine O'Connor (Castlebar RFC), Aoibh Morrow (Connemara RFC), Beibhinn Gill (Ballina RFC), Katie Griffin (Loughrea RFC), Lauren Hunter (Sligo RFC), Naomi Ward (Tuam/Oughterard RFC), Róisín Power (Ballinasloe RFC), Ruby Jennings (Claremorris Colts RFC), Shauna McDermott (Creggs RFC).