*Luke Murphy. ©INPHO/Ben Brady
THREE Clare men have been included in the Irish U20 rugby squad as they continue preparations for the World Championship.
Killaloe duo Tom Wood and Oisin Minogue plus Cratloe’s Luke Murphy are part of Head Coach Neil Doak’s 27 man squad for Friday’s training match against an Ulster A outfit which takes place at Malone RFC at 5:30pm.
Italy will host the World Rugby U20 Championship 2025 from 29 June-19 July with matches held in four cities across the Lombardia and Veneto regions. Ireland are drawn in Pool C with the host country as well as New Zealand and Georgia.
Wood is named at out-half and Murphy at number eight with Minogue among the substitutes.
Tom is a son of former Irish captain and hooker Keith, he plays his club rugby with Garryowen where his father started off his career.
Murphy nailed down a regular starting spot for Ireland’s U20s in last year’s 6 Nations and is one of the more experienced members of the current squad.
Minogue also has plenty sporting pedigree as the son of Rosie Foley who was capped 39 times for Ireland between 2001 and 2006 and played at two Rugby World Cups. His father is Scariff hurler Pat Minogue who has hurled for Clare at different levels.
Both Tom and Oisin are past pupils of St Munchins College while Luke attended Ard Scoil Rís. They all have experience of being part of Irish U20 squads during the 6 Nations.
