Greencore Munster Academy Update

Catching up with Elite Player Development Manager Peter Malone on the happenings of the Greencore Munster Academy over the past month.

Rory Scannell, David Johnston and Sean McCarthy sign senior contracts…
 
“It’s great for the players and for Munster Rugby that we are continuing to produce home-grown players and we are confident that these three lads can really make an impact at senior level, just like the guys who made the step up last year – Jack O’Donoghue and Darren Sweetnam.
 
“It won’t be long before the lads are fully up to speed on the senior programme because training with the seniors is an important part of their academy programme.  Year One is very much about grounding and getting the ability to train and play at that level, and then as they get comfortable in that setting they step up more and more into the senior squad.
 
“The load, volume and intensity at that top senior level is very high so it’s our job to build them up mentally and physically and make sure they are ready for it.
 
“Rory, Dave and Sean would have been in the senior environment full-time for the last 6 months and before that, they would have spent a lot of time there when needed.  We don’t want to keep these guys in the academy for the sake of it, we want to move them up the ranks so that when they are needed, they are ready to slot in straight away.”
 
 
Liam O’Connor made his senior debut against Stade Francais in the Champions Cup in January, while just last Sunday against Ospreys, Conor Oliver won inclusion in his first PRO12 squad…
 
“Both of the guys are in Year One of the academy and sometimes opportunities present themselves and you have to be ready.  While Liam only received a few minutes and Conor didn’t get on, it was still a worthwhile experience, getting them used to that environment on big match days.
 
“The fact that these guys got the call-up is testament to the progress they are making in academy and senior training, and their performances for Munster A and their clubs – Conor with Garryowen and Liam with Cork Con.”
 
 
8 sub-academy players in the current Ireland U20s squad for the 2016 6 Nations – Kelvin Browne, Shane Fenton, John Foley, Sean O’Connor, Dan Walsh, Shane Daly, Paul Kiernan and John Poland…
 
“It’s a great opportunity for these guys to play at that level.  It’s probably at the standard of B&I Cup and not that far off the PRO12.  The intensity and pace of the teams we are playing against is very good.
 
“The results have been disappointing, but in saying that it’s important that we test the players in this environment, mentally as well as physically.
 
“The Munster guys specifically I think have done really well.  John Poland and Shane Daly have started the two games so far with Dan Walsh starting against France, while the likes of Kelvin Browne, Shane Fenton and Sean O’Connor have come on and made an impact. 
 
“It’s a super environment for the lads to be involved in and it will be a test of their character in the coming weeks, to see can they respond and put in a better performance against England.”
 
 
Munster A exit the British & Irish Cup at the pool stages following an 11-21 home defeat to London Scottish…
 
“The wet and windy conditions didn’t suit us, especially against an experienced English Championship side.  Quite honestly the forwards from London Scottish, Yorkshire Carnegie and the likes look comfortable enough to scrummage at any level and the bad weather and soft pitch is a massive advantage to those teams.
 
“The lads went out and acquitted themselves well but the reality was that we, a younger and less experienced side, were outmuscled.  That will be a good learning curve for them.  They got a taste of the level they need to get to, and once they can match that physicality, then the rugby comes into its own.”
 
 
IRUPA Sleep Workshop…
 
“This ties into lifestyle preparation for professional rugby.  After training hard, sleep is one of the big components for recovery.  If the guys are working their backsides off in the gym, on the pitch or in their skills and don’t back it up with good quality sleep, then a lot of the hard work will be wasted.
 
“Thanks to IRUPA Tadgh McIntyre and Giles Warrington of UL conducted a very practical workshop on the good habits around sleep, the lengths of time you need to sleep to recover and how to deal with having trouble sleeping.
 
“Simple things like not reading your phone in bed before going to sleep were passed on to the lads.  Proper sleep aids both the mind and body and your ability to make decisions on the pitch.”
 
 
Injury Update…
 
“Dan Goggin sustained a mild groin strain that saw him miss Young Munster’s win over Galwegians last weekend but we are hopeful that he will be fit to play for them on Saturday.
 
“Rory Burke currently has a neck complaint and will miss this weekend’s action with Cork Con but we hope to have him back fit in the next ten days.
 
“Tomás Quinlan is currently following his return to play protocols after sustaining a mild concussion.  He is now symptom free and is progressing well.
 
“Steven McMahon has a posterior ligament strain in his knee and will miss the next 6 to 8 weeks of competitive action.
 
“JP Phelan is on his way back from a foot injury and we should see him return in 4 to 6 weeks.
 
“Bill Johnston has undergone his shoulder surgery and we are now looking at a 12 to 16 week recovery timeframe.
 
“John Madigan continues to rehab post-surgery on his cruciate and keyhole surgery on his shoulder.  We hope to have him back training with the squad towards the end of March/start of April – once he is 100% right.  But we need to be cautious of putting him back into rugby at that time of the season without much game time under his belt.
 
“Darragh Moloney has had a tough time with an ankle injury but of late has rehabbed well, progressing to agility work.  He is ahead of where the surgeon thought he would be at this stage so for now we just have to keep monitoring his progress with no definite date for a return as of yet.
 
“Jack Cullen has been very unfortunate, rupturing his cruciate in his last training session before his return to play from a shoulder injury.  He is currently awaiting surgery.”