Kildare players make their mark in 2025 Atlantic Youth Touch tournament

The 2025 Atlantic Youth Touch Cup was the largest international Touch Rugby tournament ever held in Ireland with 45 international youth teams from 12 countries descending on the University of Limerick.

And for one young player from County Kildare, it was a dream come true as he won a Silver Medal.

Paddy Waters from Kildare Town was a member of the Ireland Mixed 20s team that won the Silver Medal in their division. Ireland MX20s won 6 from 6 in the pool stages including two wins against England before meeting the ‘Auld Enemy’ again in the final.

This time England got their revenge winning 10-9. However this was still a great achievement for Paddy and his teammates.
Paddy Waters only started playing Touch this year and he scored 1 crucial try for the MX20s against South Africa in the pool stages. He also plays rugby with Cill Dara RFC.

There were several other Kildare players who took part in the Atlantic Cup.

Cillian Doyle from Celbridge was a member of the Mixed 15s team that finished fifth in their division. The MX15s reached the quarter-finals with victories over Belgium, Portugal and England Lions. Ireland were unlucky to go down 9-8 to Scotland in that quarter-final but they recovered well, beating Belgium and Portugal to secure 5 th place.

Cillian scored an impressive 7 tries in 7 games and was a huge asset to the MX15s in attack. Cillian plays Touch with MU Barnhall Touch and rugby with MU Barnhall RFC.

Keeva Mooney from Kildare Town was a member of the Girls 18s team, playing all five games and scoring a try against England.

Keeva was a key player for Ireland with her pace and athleticism. She plays Touch with DSC Wanderers Touch club in Merrion Road and has been in great form for them this season, winning MVP at the Women’s Club Championship in April. Keeva also plays rugby with PortDara. Her dad Noel was also Team Manager of the Girls 18s.

Kenneth Crowe from Athy was a member of the Boys 18s squad that came fourth in the competition. They qualified for the semi-final with wins over Portugal and Ukraine before being eliminated by England.

In the Bronze Medal game, Wales triumphed 13-6 to deny Ireland Bronze. Kenneth plays Touch with the DSC Wanderers club in Dublin.

The Ireland Boys 15s were one of the success stories of the tournament their coach was Ola McCulloch from Kildare Town.
Ola previously coached the Ireland Mixed 15s at last year’s Euros in France.

The B15s were an entirely new team with 15 new caps out of 16 and Ola did exceptionally well to guide them to a Bronze Medal with a 10-2 win against Lebanon.

Team Manager of the Boys 15s was Clane resident Kerri Edwards. Both Kerri and Ola are involved with the DSC Wanderers Touch club in Dublin which is run by Tania Rosser and Billy Ngawini.

DSC is a great nursery for young Touch players as most of the players across all the Ireland squads play for them.

Kildare can be very proud of all these fantastic young players who represented their county and country so well in Limerick.
Touch Rugby, or Touch as it is more commonly known, is a fast and exciting non-contact version of rugby.

The benefits of Touch for developing rugby player’s skills, fitness and awareness of space have long been recognised Down Under.

Anyone in Kildare who wishes to emulate the Atlantic Cup stars and give Touch Rugby a go can play at Wednesday nights at Barnhall RFC in Leixlip. See MU Barnhall Touch on Instagram.

There is also Touch in Cill Dara RFC. You can also contact DSC Wanderers Touch Club at dsctouch@gmail.com

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