Local trio feature for Ireland 'Clubs' team against Italy

Three young Buccaneers players featured for the Ireland U18 'Clubs' team against Italy on Wednesday.

Andrew Henson started the game at full-back, and scored one of Ireland's three tries, with Kailin Blessing and Sean Glennon introduced as substitutes.

Italy won the game, played at the Eugenio Municipal Stadium (Stadio Euganeo) in Padua on a scoreline of 31-17. In addition to Henson's try, Ireland's other points came from tries by Eoin O’Doherty and Charlie Dineen and a conversion from James Curry.

Henson, Blessing and Glennon have all been named in the starting XV for for the second match in the series against Italy on Saturday. Glennon and Blessing have been selected in the front row, while Henson retains his place at full-back.

The second match will be played at the Gianni Visentin Municipal Stadium tomorrow (Saturday), kick-off 1pm Irish time (2pm local time).

Both Henson and Blessing are also well known for their prowess in Gaelic football. Blessing played at centre-back for Tubberclair in their recent Westmeath Division One Minor Football Championship final victory over Mullingar Shamrocks, while Henson was on the Garrycastle team as they triumphed over The Downs in the Division Two decider.

Andrew is a son of Karl Henson, the joint manager of the Garrycastle team which won the Westmeath intermediate football title last Monday.

Kailin and Andrew are students of Marist College in Athlone, while Sean attends Garbally College, Ballinasloe.

Sean from Ballinasloe joined Buccaneers earlier this year, with the Athlone club congratulating each of the players on their selection for these international fixtures.