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Greencore Academy Update

4th February 2014 By Munster Rugby

Greencore Academy Update

January was a good month for the Munster Academy as a number of players featured in Munster A’s two B&I Cup wins that set up a quarter-final away to Leinster in April.

There were also some impressive performances from academy players on international duty and a new sponsorship deal with Greencore.

Munster A Head Coach and Elite Player Development Manager Peter Malone runs the rule over a bright start to 2014.

Ireland U20s beating Scotland….

"Delighted with the performance of our lads, the performance was excellent overall for the U20s. It was a good win in the conditions, I was up there myself and it was very hard to play but I thought they adapted very well.

"Max Abbott and Rory Burke did well in the scrum, the line-outs were very good from Max too and Jack O’Donoghue was very good so we’re happy.

"Jack Cullen and Dan Goggin got a run as well and it must have been tough for them, with the conditions they were never going to see much ball but they handled themselves well.

"Jack came off after his second try but we’re hopeful that he’ll be ok for this weekend against Wales. He slightly went over on his ankle but it’s not too serious, we think it’s on the lower end of the scale."

New sponsorship deal….

"Greencore's sponsorship of the Munster Rugby Academy helps us in building a programme which continues to produce leading rugby professionals in a ‘best in class’ environment.

“I'm excited by the opportunities that lie ahead with Greencore for the players and backroom team."

Munster A involvement….

“We haven’t had many injuries in the senior squad but we’re still getting the academy guys game-time and that’s part of the purpose of the B&I Cup.

"I’m delighted with how the academy guys went and how the team went in general.

“People were under pressure post-Christmas and we knew that we’d have to really push hard to match Plymouth and we got ten points out of ten so we’re happy with that."

Playing at St. Mary’s RFC…

“The pitch was excellent and there was a good crowd there. In fairness to Mary’s they really have excellent facilities there, it’s a good homely club and there was a good atmosphere in the clubhouse afterwards so it was enjoyable.

“The players enjoyed going to the different venues and spreading rugby throughout the province.”

The treatment table…

“On the positive side we’re looking at John Madigan – who’s had a long-term injury – coming back in the next two or three weeks. Darren Moroney, who had a long-term hamstring injury, has come back and played for UL Bohs.

“Unfortunately, Seán McCarthy is probably still looking at another 4-5 weeks with his foot and both Greg O’Shea and Gearoid Lyons have groin issues and they’ll be missing for four weeks I’d say. It’s par for the course in rugby but we’re hoping the guys can get through.”

Looking ahead….

“You’ve three separate groups now, you’ve guys who are up in the Irish Under-20s and they’ll be mostly following the Under-20s programme.

“You’ve got guys who will probably play a bit of 'A' rugby and they’ll be doing a bit of training with the senior squad and getting into that system. And then you have guys who are rehabbing from injury and we’ll be working hard with them on their fitness and skills.

“We’re mid-season, they have the hard part of the season done, during the week you’re trying to maintain and develop when you can but it’s really about keeping guys fit and healthy now and pushing on a small bit on the skills side.”

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