Nagle’s Academy Development

A season which started with a try against the Sale Sharks in Munster’s pre-season game, and finished with a senior development contract is certainly one to be remembered for 21 year old Ian Nagle.

Nagle recalls a number of personal highlights from the season including “winning the All Ireland League with Cork Con, making my Magners League debut against Newport Gwent Dragons, and reaching the final of the British and Irish Cup.”

The latter competition providing more game time for academy players to compete as a team, “there was a lot more senior interaction this year, and there was far more of a team ethos amongst the academy players playing regularly on a team together in the British and Irish Cup.”

With the increased game time there was a greater emphasis on time management this season, striking a balance between Munster training, club commitments and studies. Nagle admits “this year was more difficult than previous with a big game nearly every week, between club and Munster games, and most weeks were spent preparing for them. Throw college work and study into the mix and it was tough going.”

“Next year will be busier again with final year college and a development contract and I’m already preparing for a quiet social life! But I’m ready for it, there’s a huge reward at the end if you make it, to get a degree and a contract, and that’s what I want.”

Nagle is looking forward to the move up next season with five of his academy colleagues (Deasy, Barnes, Foley, O’Mahony, Archer), “It’s great to have so many of us moving on to Development contracts, hopefully as a group we  can bring in a new energy and sense of enthusiasm to the set-up. This is a one year chance and we shouldn’t hold back and I just want to do my best at every session making the most of my time with the seniors.”

“This season’s increased squad interaction has made it less daunting when training with the players and there’s a greater intensity at that level, but it’s a case of sink or swim and at the end of it all you’ll find out if you’re cut out to make it or not.”

As the squad wrap up for the season Ian continues with college commitments, “I’m currently on work placement as a third year Commerce student and I’m continuing my training in the gym, but it’s not all bad as I hope to head away on holidays for two weeks in the next few weeks.”

And as Nagle leaves the academy set-up the advice he has for the new recruits, “Don’t take anything for granted, there’s a comfort there because you’re joining the academy with your peers, friends from rugby, but everything can change suddenly with one injury or bad performances. But if you put everything into it at least you know then you’ve done your best and you will have no regrets.”