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Greencore Academy Update

11th May 2015 By Munster Rugby

Greencore Academy Update

Elite Player Development Officer Colm McMahon on the happenings of the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy over the past month.

Munster ‘A’ involvement in the Series win over Ulster Ravens…

“Great for our Academy lads to get this opportunity and there was continuity with the three games coming on top of each other. The opposition got to know each other really well as the games went on and that made for really competitive contests.

“Particularly in the third game our guys got an opportunity to play at that level and it was good to see them hold their own. It was also good in the sense that we had a number of guys coming back from injury and that gave them an opportunity to get some game time, especially when the club game was pretty much finished for the season.

“The likes of Dave O’Callaghan and Donnacha Ryan played for Munster ‘A’, while Paddy Jackson and Craig Gilroy lined out for Ulster Ravens during the Series. Having our young guys in amongst the likes of those players was a great and beneficial experience for them.”

Recent Club involvement…

St. Mary's College 13- 3 Garryowen – Alex Wootton & Jamie Glynn
“It’s great that we have another Munster club back in 1A of the AIL. Unfortunately Dolphin went down to 1B so we’re still looking at three teams in the top flight. Garryowen had a very strong campaign all year and I was surprised they didn’t manage to win promotion in the regular season – when they went to Galwegians for a winner takes all clash. However, in fairness, they got it right on their second opportunity against St Marys and deserve great credit for making it up.”

Lansdowne 23 Young Munster 19 – Dan Goggin & Gearoid Lyons
“It was a great campaign from Young Munster and they were so unlucky not be contesting an AIL final over the weekend. All that stood between them and a place in the final was a try at the death of extra time, but they will learn from that and can be very proud of their achievements.”

MJC Final Replay: Shannon 33-19 Clonmel – Jack Cullen, Niall Horan & Greg O’Shea.
“The Munster Junior Cup is a great competition and provides plenty tough tests along the way. Our lads put in a good shift for Shannon against Clonmel the first time out, and did well to get the win on the second time of asking.

“From an Academy point of view, it’s great that our guys get to play in these crucial club matches. They are played at a really good standard and most importantly for our guys, they get competitive game time. Our players need to make an impression at that level and take more of a leadership role. The experience they get at club level is key to their development as professional rugby players.”

Inclusion of Stephen Fitzgerald in the Ireland Junior World Cup Squad…

Stephen got his opportunity on the second day out of the U20 6 Nations (against France), took it with both hands and since then has gone on to be one of the guys you’d expect to see on the teamsheet. It’s a great opportunity for Stephen and well deserved.

Greg O’Shea is probably the one that you’d feel for. He had worked his way into a starting place for the 6 Nations only for injury to rule him out after the first game. A subsequent injury delayed his return and unfortunately he’s missed out on the squad for the Junior World Cup.

“He and Jack Cullen have had a taste of U20 involvement this season and it will hurt a little that they are not involved. That said, there is a standby list and should injuries occur, opportunities may arise for more of our guys.”

Academy Attend IRUPA Media Module…

“The reality of the modern game is that players will be faced with media at some stage in their professional careers, be it local or national newspapers, radio or TV. It’s just part of the game these days and we need to prepare players accordingly. If a guy plays well for Munster ‘A’ or his club, he may be asked questions after a game. It’s never that we tell a player what to say, these modules are designed to make the player more comfortable in such situations, and if a guy has some previous experience and coaching for interviews, it makes doing them much less daunting.

“We nurture a player’s rugby and physical development, coupled with his overall well-being, and media training is another essential module in preparing a young player for all facets of the modern game.” Read more here.

Injury Update…

Ryan Foley (knee) and Sean McCarthy continue with their rehab programmes and are targeting pre-season for a return to on-field action.

Ryan Murphy is still rehabbing an arm injury while Rory Burke has just returned after a second operation on his ankle. He has made good strides, progressing to scrummaging in a controlled environment.

Darragh Moloney is still working with the Munster medical staff in rehabilitating his ankle injury.

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