Greencore Academy Update

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

Senior squad and AIL involvement…
 
“With the senior internationals away, a large number of academy players have trained with the senior squad of late and it’s good to see how they pit themselves up against the older and more experienced lads.
 
“Our lads continue to feature heavily in the Club game where it’s great to see a number of Munster teams doing so well after a couple of seasons where the AIL was heavily dominated by Dublin clubs. 
 
“The next couple of weekends will be crucial for the likes of Cork Constitution, Young Munster and Garryowen and playing at the business end of the AIL brings that added bit of pressure which will be good experience for our lads.”
 

Upcoming Munster A fixture against Ulster Ravens at Naas RFC…
 
“This gives our lads the chance to play in Munster colours alongside their academy colleagues and a number of the senior squad, some of whom need game time after injury.  The mix of players will see us field what’s essentially a development side against the Ulster Ravens.  This was an exercise that worked very well last year and we hope for the same this time around.
 
“It’s an opportunity for players to show what they can do individually as well as collectively at a higher level that will be somewhere close to PRO12.  There is a fine balance in how we approach games like this.  We want guys to express themselves and if it’s on we’ll play, but also, guys need to show pragmatism when it’s needed and make the right decisions at the right team.”
 
Munster A v Ulster Ravens at Naas RFC on Thursday April 7th at 3pm.  This game is open to all and free to attend.
 

The return of former academy player Darren O’Shea to Munster…
 
“Darren is coming back after a couple of good seasons in Worcester where he played against us in last season’s British and Irish Cup.  He played very well that day and will have learned a lot from the likes of Dean Ryan and Carl Hogg in Worcester.  He will come back to Munster a better player which is good for both him and the province.
 
 
Ireland Men’s 7s involvement…
 
“Dan Goggin, Ollie Lyons, Gearoid Lyons and Alex Wootton continue to be involved with the Ireland 7s side and in the past couple of weeks attended a training camp in Madrid in preparation for the World Rugby Olympic Repechage tournament in Monaco on June 18^th and 19^th.  Olympic qualification for Rio is still possible and was that to happen, it would be a wonderful achievement for all involved.”
 
 
Expansion of Nutrition Department…
 
“Our Nutrition Department in Munster Rugby has now expanded to include Gavin Rackard (pictured right and below) who our academy lads can consult with.  As well as running practical workshops, he also chats with the lads on an individual basis which is good as every player is different.
 
“Balancing training with a good lifestyle is essential to professional athletes.  What foods to take and understanding hydration is a big learning curve for players but once we give them that foundation they can use food to fuel, recover and get the most out of sessions.
 
“That learning curve also extends to coaches so the expansion of our Nutrition Department works well for everyone.”
 

Injury update….
 
“Steven McMahon (knee) and JP Phelan (foot) have both returned to full training and we are hopeful that they will feature in the AIL this weekend.
 
“Bill Johnston (shoulder) is now taking part in modified training and continues to make good strides, as does John Madigan who has now progressed to on field running
 
“Liam O’Connor will remain sidelined for the coming weeks with a neck issue while Darragh Moloney (ankle) and Jack Cullen (ACL) continue to follow their longer term rehab programmes.”