 Joe Clinton (captain)
The Hills & Leinster
Left Hand Bat & Right Medium Bowler
Since taking over the reins as captain of the Under 18 Squad in 1996 Joseph has proved himself an able leader. Set something of a record in Bermuda where he won the toss on all six occasions. Shared the leading wicket taking position with nine victims at 15.11 and played two key innings against Holland and Denmark to rescue his side from precarious positions. He has progressed through the various underage groups since his first selection at Under 15 level. Still at college he recently completed his first competitive marathon.
 Neil Anderson
Lurgan & Northern
Right Hand Bat & Slow Left Arm Bowler
Has had a meteoric rise since making his Club debut at 14. Not a prolific wicket taker, his strength lies in his accuracy and ability to restrict scoring. Although taking just four wickets, his economy rate of 2.61 runs per over played a significant part in the success in Bermuda. Hit the headlines when nominated Man of the Match in both the semi final and final of the 1996 NCU Senior Cup, helping Lurgan to the trophy. Currently undergoing a course in Sports Studies he has played for the Irish Development XI.
 Jonathan Bushe
Waringstown & Northern
Left Hand Bat & Wicketkeeper
A late call up into the squad following the withdrawal of Shane Moore, he has quickly shown that he has the ability to emulate his father Eddie, who gained 7 senior caps as a wicketkeeper in the late 1970's. Impressed Bob Taylor, the former England custodian, who considered him to be a young keeper of undoubted talent when he took part in the coaching clinic last January. The latest of the Harrison dynasty to gain international honours, he joins his cousin Simon in the squad.
 Simon Carruthers
Ballymena & Northern
Right Hand Bat & Offspinner
Probably the most experienced member of the squad, having played in the International Youth Tournament in Holland in 1995 where he showed his potential with a match winning innings of 74 against Canada. Used as opener in Bermuda he put together a consistent series scoring 162 runs in 6 innings for an average of 27. Also shows promise as an off spinner, a role he assumed for his club during the past season. A student at the University of Manchester, he has also played for the Irish Development XI.
 Brian Dunlop
Muckamore & Northern
Right Hand Bat & Wicketkeeper
A newcomer to the squad who has been selected primarily as a batsman, he will provide wicketkeeping cover during the Tournament. He first came to notice as a member of the Northern Cricket Union Under 18 team which won the Interprovincial Competition in 1996. Although he missed out on the Under 18 tour to Scotland and the International Youth Tournament in Bermuda he continued to impress at the Ulster Bank Academy and for his club first eleven for whom he topped 200 runs in 1997. In his second year at Queens University, Belfast, studying Geography.
 David Finlay
North of Ireland & Northern
One of the successes in Bermuda where he established himself as a key member of the side. Prior to the trip he was seen as a fringe player but he grabbed his opportunity when selected by scoring two half centuries in the first three matches. He also bowled well, keeping a good line and length for little return. Only 3 wickets was scant reward for his performance with the ball. On his return from Bermuda he captained Irish Schools in their game against the English Schools Cricket Association. Currently studying for his 'A' Levels, he is a talented all round sportsman who has also gained representative honours at Rugby.
 Daniel Gaughran
Clontarf & Leinster
Perhaps regarded by some as a surprise choice he, nevertheless, earned his selection by impressive displays with the bat at the indoor preparatory sessions. He has only limited senior experience compared with most of the squad but he did gain his Irish Schools Cap in the 1997 season which was disrupted by injury. A tall, well built, young player who is technically sound, he has been brought in as an alternative to the middle order which failed to produce the goods in Bermuda. In his last year at school, he lists music amongst his non-sporting hobbies.
 Simon Harrison
Waringstown & Northern
Right Hand Bat & Right Medium Fast Bowler
Another player who first played at Under 19 level in 1995 as a member of the International Youth Tournament Squad in Holland, where he was Ireland's leading bowler. In Bermuda he shared the new ball and finished joint leading wicket taker with 9 victims. Now established on the Waringstown 1st XI, for whom he took 35 wickets in the past season, he made his senior Interpro debut in 1997, playing for NCU against the Development XI. A more than useful batsman he has the distinction of scoring a century in league cricket for his Club 2nd XI.
 Carl Hosford
Right Hand Bat
Dublin UNiversity, YMCA & Leinster
Another member of the squad who missed out on selection for Bermuda but who has now been selected as a result of his performances during the 1997 season when he averaged over 20 in Leinster senior cricket. Carl has come up through the various youth age groups having played for Ireland Under 15's and represented Leinster at Under 15, 17, 18 and 19 levels. Technically sound he enjoys opening the innings, a role he will fulfil in South Africa. In the second year of his Business Studies course at Trinity he likes to listen to music when not playing cricket.
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 Ed Joyce
Merrion & Leinster
Left Hand Bat & Right Medium Bowler
A prolific batsman and useful change bowler with the knack of taking crucial wickets. One of only five players who have scored a century for the Irish Schools he was the only player to achieve this feat in the IYT in Bermuda when he hit 105 in the final game against Denmark to take his run aggregate to 238 for an average of almost 40. On his return from Bermuda he made a most impressive senior international debut against Scotland in the 1997 Triple Crown series when he scored a splendid half century. Spent the last weeks of the season with Middlesex CCC who invited him back for 1998.
 Dwaynne McGerrigle
Donemana & North West
Right Medium Fast Bowler
Dwayne has had a meteoric rise since he first came to notice in 1995 as the most promising Under 15 bowler. The youngest member of the squad he played for the North West in the Senior Interprovincial Championship and for the Irish Development XI in 1997. Joint leading wicket taker in Bermuda with 9 wickets, he inevitably made the early breakthrough with his pace and hostile bowling. Like all fast bowlers he enjoys scoring runs which he did to good effect when called upon. Last April he visited South Africa to promote cricket and undergo specialised training as a member of an elite group of young Northern Ireland sportsmen and women.
 Aidan Neill
Dublin University & Leinster
Right Hand Bat & Right Medium Bowler
A first year student at Trinity who was born in Dublin but raised in England where he made his School first eleven debut at 14. A stylish batsman who has scored a number of centuries and a fast medium bowler with a best return of 7 for 16 for his School, St Georges, Weybridge, he has played youth representative cricket for Surrey. Earlier in 1997 he spent time in Western Australia playing Grade Cricket in Perth to broaden his experience. A talented all-round sportsman who enjoys rugby, has represented Surrey at hockey and is a low handicap golfer.
 Keith Spelman
Clontarf & Leinster
Slow Left Arm Bowler & Right Hand Bat
The second member of the Clontarf club in the squad and another who has progressed through the youth ranks at both provincial and international levels. The second youngest member of the squad he has earned his place by his performances during the 1997 season when he took 23 wickets in the Leinster Senior League. His attacking style is seen as the perfect foil to the more subtle deliveries of his spinning partner, Neil Anderson. Also a useful bat, it is hoped he will gain experience in South Africa and use it to good effect as a member of the Irish squad in the 1999 European Colts Tournament in Belfast.
 Paul Tate
Downpatrick & Northern
Right Hand Bat & Right Medium Bowler
Yet another newcomer to the squad. He forced his way into the reckoning ahead of some of those who played in Bermuda by his performances in the past season for Downpatrick 1st XI for whom he has played for a couple of seasons. In a season when his form blossomed Paul played an important role and made valuable contributions during their league programme and successful cup run by taking 17 wickets and scoring 278 runs at an average of 23.82. His fine form was also recognised by his selection on the Irish Schools team for their fixture against English Schools.
 Dessie McCall
Manager
Dessie has been involved in the administration of the youth game since 1981 when he was became an Ulster Town Under 19 selector. Since then he has held the position of ICU Youth Secretary and is currently the Chairman of the Youth Committee. In addition, he has recently been appointed as Director of Youth Cricket, a role which will see him co-ordinate the Union's Youth International programme. Manager of the International Youth Squads in 1991, 1993 and 1995 he will also be the Co-ordinator of the first European Colts Tournament which will be hosted by the Irish Cricket Union in Belfast in July 1999.
 Mike Hendrick
Coach
The former Derbyshire and England bowler who captured 70 Test wickets became Irish National Coach in 1995. Since then he has concentrated on raising the profile of the Ireland senior team , narrowly missing out on qualifying for the 1999 World Cup when they finished fourth in the 1997 ICC Trophy in Kuala Lumpur. He is looking forward to the Under 19 World Cup and continuing the squad's success from the tournament in Bermuda.
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