Greencore Academy Update

Elite Player Development Officer Greig Oliver on the happenings of the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy over the past month.

Imminent weekend of AIL involvement….

“As it’s the final weekend of regular season action in the AIL, things will be very competitive on Saturday, especially for the likes of Cork Con, Young Munster and Garryowen who have a lot to play for. Be it promotion, play-off qualification, battling to avoid relegation or just wanting to end the league on a winning note, the final weekend always makes for tough exciting matches. That will stand to our guys.

“This weekend, and the AIL as a whole, is a great learning ground for academy players. Nothing beats game-time and the AIL gives them that experience at a good level so they can put into practice the skills they learn during the week. As well as that, it gives guys the chance to step up and take more of a leadership role which is essential for a player as he progresses through the ranks in professional rugby.”

Click here for a full list of this weekend's fixtures.

Munster ‘A’ involvement against Ulster Ravens and Connacht Eagles…

“With such a large representation in these two ‘A’ games, it provided our sub-academy and academy lads with the chance to play alongside the likes of Donnacha Ryan and against the likes of Paddy Jackson (Ravens). It’s not just playing that’s important for guys’ development, it’s also the preparation in the days and weeks leading up to the game. The likes of Rory Scannell, Darren Sweetnam, Jamie Glynn, David Johnston and Dan Goggin are all excelling at that level.

“The difference in pace, physicality and thinking time is massive when you move up a level so the mixture of academy and senior players is invaluable to them.

“Against the Eagles it was great to see the return of John Madigan. It’s been a long haul for him with injuries keeping him sidelined for most of the season. He showed a lot of promise at the start of the season, picking up some pre-season game time with the senior side (against Gloucester and London Irish), so hopefully he’ll get plenty more under his belt in the coming weeks.”

Munster 'A' will travel to Banbridge RFC to face the Ulster Ravens this coming Thursday, April 16th at 5pm.

Impressive form of Stephen Fitzgerald during U20 6 Nations clashes with Wales and Scotland…

“It was unfortunate that we lost Greg O’Shea and Jack Cullen to injury earlier in the campaign but it was great to see Stephen proving himself to be a real talent. He really has progressed since he joined the Academy from the Schools game at the start of the season. The guy has the ability and hopefully he’ll continue to push on and grasp the opportunities that come his way.”

Ireland U20s Junior World Cup Trial…

“This starts next Wednesday at Wanderers FC in Dublin and provides those on the fringes of the U20s set-up the chance to show their wares before the Junior World Cup squad is decided. The likes of Liam O’Connor, Frank Bradshaw Ryan, Steve McMahon and Tomas Quinlan (all sub-academy) will take part as well as Jack Cullen and Greg O’Shea as they try to get themselves back into the fold post-injury.

However, Ben Kilkenny and Mike O’Donnell (both sub-academy) will unfortunately miss out due to injury.”
Ireland U20s open their World Cup campaign against Argentina in Parma on Tuesday June 2nd.

Ireland 7s involvement…

“There are a series of Ireland 7s fixtures taking place over the summer and we’re delighted to have Dan Goggin, Gearoid Lyons, Alex Wootton and club player Diarmuid McCarthy (Young Munster) involved in a number of the training camps to date. The 7s project is still in the early stages but it’s very exciting for the lads to be a part of something new and that we hope will grow.”

Injury Update…

“Sean McCarthy (ankle) is progressing very well but it remains to be seen if he will make it back before the end of the season.

“Good news also for Jack Cullen (ankle) who will hopefully make a return to action for Shannon this weekend. Should he come though it ok, Jack will be in a position to contest for a place in the Ireland U20s World Cup squad.

“Rory Burke, Darragh Moloney (both ankle), Ryan Foley (knee), Ryan Murphy (arm) and Brian Scott (neck) continue to rehab their respective longer term injures and will target pre-season as a return to on-field action.

“However, as part of an integrated approach, we work hand in hand with the S&C staff and physios to ensure that players are developing another part of their game while rehabbing, be it building muscle mass or working on a skill for example.”