Munster Youths Development Squad 2002/2003

The past four months have seen the fruits of some hard work by the regional coaches and selectors come together. From a combined number of three hundred young rugby players from all four regions

The past four months have seen the fruits of some hard work by the regional coaches and selectors come together. From a combined number of three hundred young rugby players from all four regions of the Province, Development Coach Norman McDonnell has finally put together forty three of the best available players to go though a rigorous programme over the next four weeks.

Last Sunday (16th February) in Thomond park players went through skills & fitness tests over a four hour period. Each Player was tested at all levels and put on a nutrition & fitness programme for the coming weeks. Some impressive drills & skills assessments were conducted by a team of experts including Ian Ray and Phil Cunningham. Norman and his team have been preparing these players for the next phase which will be held in Abbeyfeale RFC on St. Patrick’s day and will also see the introduction of Munster Youths Coaches Len Browne of Sundays Well and Tony Eiffe of Highfield again this season under the Management of Nick O Keefe of Cobh.

Selectors for this season also see some familiar faces including, Noel Davis of UL Bohs, Billy O Rourke of Abbeyfeale and Tom Nyhan of Mallow. The approach to trials and selection this season is somewhat different to previous seasons and Head Coach Lenny Browne is hopeful this will bring about a more positive outcome to improved standards of Player skills.

The Players selected to date are as follows:

Kevin Doyle Ballincollig, Sean Kelleher, Brian Donnelly Sundays Well, Ben Nagle Sundays Well, Ciaran Horgan Muskerry, Declan O’Donoghue Fermoy, Killian O’Mahony Cork Constitution, Peter Martin Highfield, Donal Twomey Muskerry, Niall O’Driscoll Bandon, Tadgh Hawes Cobh Pirates, William O’Donovan Bandon, Roibeard Wilmot Bandon, Edward Crowley Bandon, Tom Priestley Midleton,Barry McCarthy Highfield, James Lyons Bandon, Darren Twomey Sundays Well, David Ryan Highfield, Richard Milner Bandon, Stephen Foster Bruff, Andrew Neehan Young Munster, Michael Ryan Richmond, Declan Lavery Richmond,Thomas Clarke Richmond, Darragh O’Callaghan Richmond, Shane Murphy Ennis, J.P. Elsey St. Senans, Frank Culloty Killarney, Stephen Casey Castleisland, Brendan O’Sullivan Killorglin, Liam McEnery Abbeyfeale, Paul O’Sullivan Abbeyfeale, Rory Dalton Abbeyfeale, Kieran Griffin Kilfeacle, Liam Bannon Thurles, Jason Moore Thurles, Shane Moloney Thurles, Sean Ryan Cashel, Sean Fitzgerald Cashel, David Burke Nenagh, Kieran Merrigan Clanwilliam, James Dodd Nenagh.