Greencore Munster Academy Update.

As Munster Academy players return to pre-season action this week, we catch up with Munster Academy Manager Peter Malone to see what’s in store for the lads on their return to the training field.

While players are required to get plenty of rest on their down time, Malone feels it’s important they do a little light running, as well as a couple of gym sessions per week to set themselves up sufficiently for a pre-season programme that will run until September.

“In week one we ease them back into full training gently, where we test their fitness (retested in September), consult with each player and set their goals and standards for the coming year, and as the week progresses we bring them back into physical activity on the rugby field. We also use the week as an opportunity for team building exercises.

With that in mind the Cork based players will base themselves in Limerick for the next few days and we’ll have combined sessions today, Thursday and Friday. They will then have the weekend off to recuperate, returning on Monday where we will up the intensity next week, with full-on training the following week.”

New recruits to the Academy are put straight in at the deep end, training with those in years two and three of the programme.

“If you are ready for an Academy contract you are ready to train at a certain level. We have educational modules which are structured along the lines of the year you are in, but from a rugby point of view all players have demonstrated that they are at the required skill level to train with the players in years two and three.”

Seven members of the Greencore Munster Academy (Rory Burke, Max Abbott, Darragh Moloney, Jack O’Donoghue, Ryan Foley, Dan Goggin and Alex Wootton) have just represented Ireland at the Junior World Championship in New Zealand. To ensure best player welfare these players will not return to the fold until July 21^st.

“They will get their four weeks off just like everyone else. Given the intensity of the competition they’ve just played we will want them to do absolutely nothing for the first week, then on to a little running in subsequent weeks, just to stay fit and focused in their off-season.

Again because their tournament was so intense we have to monitor them carefully when they get back just to make sure there’s not any delayed fatigue. The fact they played against England and New Zealand in their final games, two of the toughest teams in the competition, is bound to take its toll on the lads.

Preparing for a semi-final is mentally tiring, and having to pick yourself back up for a third place play-off following semi-final defeat is one of the toughest and most mentally draining things for any player to do.”

Ireland U20s achieved their best ever finish at a Junior World Championship (4^th), an accomplishment that Malone believes will stand to the players massively.

“They now believe they can compete against and beat these nations which is important. They may have felt there was a bit more in the tank after the English performance which was disappointing. That said they can take the belief forward, that on their day, they have the beating of that English side.

Another important win was the victory over Wales. After the Welsh did a number on them in the 6 Nations it was good to restore pride in what was their best performance of the tournament."