Greencore Academy Update

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

Injury Update…

“Ryan Foley (knee) and John Madigan (shoulder) continue to rehab their respective longer-term injuries while Madigan has progressed to some on-field running.

“Brian Scott has had a pretty frustrating time with a neck injury. With the nature of the injury we’ve been very careful in reintroducing him and thankfully he’s now just a couple of weeks away from a return.

“Niall Horan (thumb) will take that bit longer but continues to make good progress and will be assessed on a week by week basis, while another of our props Rory Burke (ankle) is now out of the boot and is looking at a return in about four to five weeks.

“Ryan Murphy sustained a bad break in his arm (humerus bone) while playing for Dolphin just before Christmas. This was very unfortunate and frustrating for Ryan who had been performing well for Dolphin and Munster ‘A’ this season. Following surgery on the arm he’s now begun the rehabilitation process.

“Darragh Moloney (ankle) is another we hope to have returning in the next couple of weeks after progressing to on-field running.

“Finally, all going well we hope to have Dan Goggin (shoulder) returning next week and in contention for the quarter final of the B&I Cup.”

Munster ‘A’s bonus point victory over Mosely saw them secure quarter final qualification in the British and Irish Cup. With Oliver amongst the coaching management, the game featured six Academy players as well as a number of sub-Academy representatives…

“We knew exactly the job at hand and the focus was fantastic from the boys, led by a couple of senior players including Ronan O’Mahony and Niall Scannell. From the Academy the likes of Rory Scannell really stepped up and showed good leadership while from the sub-academy ranks players like Ned Hodson also put in a fine performance.

“To see players of senior, Academy and sub-Academy levels come together and put in such a cohesive performance, each learning from each other, was very encouraging for us. It was great experience for the boys in that environment, against a tough Championship side from a league that’s renowned for its physicality.

“We need to see how these lads can cope and play while dealing with such physicality – that’s the test and in that game we managed to cope well and impose our game on Moseley. That augurs well for the senior side in time to come.

Munster A/Development winning out 24-19 over Ireland U20 at Temple Hill, Cork on December 29th…

“Being on the other side last year (as Assistant Coach with Ireland U20), I know that Ireland are always looking for matches to test out their game and get a look at players. We had been looking to do something similar at that time of year so we were glad to take the fixture on.

“It was a great opportunity for our guys, especially those who were U20, to put their hands up and impress. There was a number of players in that category who really stood out, especially in the front row. On the back of maybe a poor Interprovincial Series for Munster, players had another opportunity to show to us what they really can do and it was also good for them to play alongside senior, Academy and sub-Academy players.

“From the game, a lot of players put their names forward for future selection, including those who mightn’t have made the original interpro squad.”

Year 3 Academy player and Munster ‘A’ captain Jack O’Donoghue will join the senior ranks next season after signing a three year contract with the province this week…

“It’s a great achievement for Jack. This is a guy who was recognised as a talent at a very early age and this shows that the structures are working. From his days at Waterpark to right through the Academy, Jack has always worked hard, he’s got a great attitude and hopefully he’s one of many to be contracted in the next few months and years.

“Jack has flourished in the environment within Munster and is one to watch going forward, and with the lads we have in our set-up now, I think there’s a few more to come!”

Munster ‘A’ return to B&I Cup action when they play Doncaster Knights in the quarter final of the competition on Saturday January 24^th at Castle Park, Doncaster – KO 2pm.

For live updates on Twitter follow @munsterrugby #BICup