I take it that the lads in the new grey and black gear are the Academy boys and the others are U18/19's?

They seem to look fitter and stronger every year.

pre season training by the younger guys. first move, nice step from SOB i think

Dan Parks to coach Connacht Schools/ClubsDan Parks_U18s_350

Connacht Rugby is delighted to announce that legendry outhalf Dan Parks will join the Connacht U18 Schools/Clubs coaching team for the coming season. The former Scottish international and leading RaboDirect points scorer will combine his role as backs coach with his playing commitments for the Senior side.

Connacht U18 were narrowly beaten by Leinster in the final of last season’s club inter-pros and hope to build on their position as one of the top provinces at this grade. Parks will complete the coaching team alongside Eamonn Molloy and Ambrose Conboy.

Commenting on the appointment, Coach Development Manager, Eamonn Molloy said: “Connacht's coach succession planning has been very beneficial with both Eric Elwood and Dan McFarland beginning their coaching careers with our age grade teams. Dan (Parks) has a wealth of knowledge and experience which gives him an excellent foundation to his coaching career.”

- See more at: www.connachtrugby.ie/2013071683369/dan-p...I855ew.32JrHEmp.dpuf

just an update on Farrell, i've heard from a good source that he has been offered an Academy place at Munster but he has still to make a decision.

Craic Head wrote: Any news on U19 - U20 squads? I know that they have started interpro training. Would be good indicators for sub academy and who is coming through. Think that there are a few Leinster lads trying out for our squads.

Quite a few from other provinces training with ye. Squads have been training for past few weeks. good number of 20s squad is below
Jacob Walsh, Paul O Donnell, Joe Roe (Exile)
Scott Flanagan, Darren Coady (Waterpark), Seba Meunargia, Sean O Brien, Shane Boyle, Josh O Rourke (DLSP), Eddie Earle, Aidan Butler (Rockwell), Caolin Blade, Dylan McGagh(Rockwell&had been Waterpark)
Ben Carty, Matt Mellotte, Ian Costigan, Rory Parata, Jack Feeney (Roscrea RFC)
Cian Kelleher (Michaels)
Gavin Tynan (Blackrock College)
Rory Moloney (Cistercian Roscrea)
Jonathan McDonnell (Crescent Comp)

Any news on U19 - U20 squads? I know that they have started interpro training. Would be good indicators for sub academy and who is coming through. Think that there are a few Leinster lads trying out for our squads.

Good to know. If I had to draw a parallel with anyone it would be McSharry, a very good player who got injured at the wrong time of his development which set him back a year or two. I don't think the seasons of AIL McSharry played hurt him by any means but it would be nice to have Farrell in the system and developing along with the rest of our back-line. According to the Leinster fan site Farrell played for a lot of last year with injury while only 80% fit which is why Leinster were so reticent in giving him a contract. It was only when the JWC came around was he fit after finally taking a lay off and getting back to full fitness. Brilliant centres are thin on the ground so grabbing him would be a big bonus for Connacht.

connachtexile wrote: Tom Farrell surprisingly hasn't being offered a contract at Leinster Academy even after a great JWC. It now appears that Munster are hot on his heels for his signature. You'd wonder if Connacht didn't have the wherewithal to go after his signature as well. The boy is a centre and a very good one, he plays for Lansdowne partnering Mark Roche so bringing them both in could do really well for us as they'd know each others patterns. Hope we're in the running for his signature and not passively watching as Munster try and swoop in and take a fantastic centre southward without a fight.

Apparently he has family roots in Mayo and Leitrim, which has to count for something. there are already a few lansdowne lads down here so I'm sure this would help him settle in if they do decide to make him an offer.

unlike Marmion and henderson from the previous year he has a year or 2 of developement to make it as a senior player, but he has that all important commodity on the rugby field which is being able to find time and space that in the long term will make him a very good centre.

Tom Farrell surprisingly hasn't being offered a contract at Leinster Academy even after a great JWC. It now appears that Munster are hot on his heels for his signature. You'd wonder if Connacht didn't have the wherewithal to go after his signature as well. The boy is a centre and a very good one, he plays for Lansdowne partnering Mark Roche so bringing them both in could do really well for us as they'd know each others patterns. Hope we're in the running for his signature and not passively watching as Munster try and swoop in and take a fantastic centre southward without a fight.

How many places per year are we talking about? Am I right in thinking that they are looking at boys who would not be at good rugby schools anyways? Would always have a battle with the GAA for good young talent at leaving cert age.

pinky wrote:

connachtexile wrote: Any see this?

Connacht Rugby launches ‘Elite Rugby Scholars Programme’ with Yeats College
Connacht Rugby today announced an ‘Elite Rugby Scholars Programme’ in partnership with Yeats College of Galway. This strategic partnership will open up the opportunity for young rugby players to come and play age-grade rugby with Connacht whilst studying for their Leaving Certificate at Yeats College.

The first of its kind in the country...

I think its a kick ass idea and with its proximity to the sportsground they'll be getting a great rugby education. This is bound to turn some kids heads.

Great idea. Might help to keep parents on side too.
Only problem is will it upset other schools that they're potentially losing their best players? Do the guys on scholarships play schools rugby for Yeats or how will it work? Is there potential to sour relationships with schools, especially the ones outside the province that Connacht have good relationships with? Maybe I'm talking arse.

I don't think it will overly upset the other schools. Yeats is essentially a grind school, like the Institute in Dublin. Students go there to get a good LC. As such it has limited extra curricular activity, so this idea makes a lot of sense. I think that parents would have a more academic criteria for using Yeats, so other schools would have lost them anyway.

connachtexile wrote: Any see this?

Connacht Rugby launches ‘Elite Rugby Scholars Programme’ with Yeats College
Connacht Rugby today announced an ‘Elite Rugby Scholars Programme’ in partnership with Yeats College of Galway. This strategic partnership will open up the opportunity for young rugby players to come and play age-grade rugby with Connacht whilst studying for their Leaving Certificate at Yeats College.

The first of its kind in the country...

I think its a kick ass idea and with its proximity to the sportsground they'll be getting a great rugby education. This is bound to turn some kids heads.

Great idea. Might help to keep parents on side too.
Only problem is will it upset other schools that they're potentially losing their best players? Do the guys on scholarships play schools rugby for Yeats or how will it work? Is there potential to sour relationships with schools, especially the ones outside the province that Connacht have good relationships with? Maybe I'm talking arse.

Any see this?

Connacht Rugby launches ‘Elite Rugby Scholars Programme’ with Yeats College
Connacht Rugby today announced an ‘Elite Rugby Scholars Programme’ in partnership with Yeats College of Galway. This strategic partnership will open up the opportunity for young rugby players to come and play age-grade rugby with Connacht whilst studying for their Leaving Certificate at Yeats College.

The first of its kind in the country, this scholarship is ideally suited to students that cherish a dual ambition of playing at the highest professional levels in rugby while, at the same time, creating a Leaving Cert that will give them significant opportunity to excel academically and enjoy a professional career once their ambitions in rugby have been achieved.

As part of the scholarship, students would embark on a one or two year Leaving Cert programme, which would have a unique individualised timetable, allowing the student to achieve, agreed sporting, academic and fitness milestones. Each day, students would be able to attend class while maintaining their obligations with the Connacht Rugby Sub-Academy system.

With Student Housing included, the development rugby players will be based in Galway City centre - studying at the private co-educational day school at the state-of-the-art campus on College Road whilst developing their rugby skills at the Sportsground.

Connacht Rugby’s Coaching Development Manager Eamonn Molloy drove the initiative and said:

“At Connacht Rugby we recognise the need for players to have a balanced lifestyle and we strive to develop individuals who will be successful both in their rugby careers and beyond. We are delighted that Yeats College share that vision, which has driven this innovative partnership.”

Principle of Yeats College Terry Fahy added:

“We at Yeats College are delighted to be part of this exciting initiative with Connacht Rugby. The programme is unique in second level education as it strategically fosters academic and sporting excellence amongst young people.

“In many respects, the modern world of Professional Rugby and Motivated Education are very similar. They embrace a shared culture of empowering people through work ethic and self-belief in the pursuit of excellence. “

For enquiries into the Connacht Rugby Elite Rugby Scholars Programme please email elitescholars@cbirfu.com or call the Connacht Rugby office on 091 561 568.
- See more at: www.connachtrugby.ie/2013062683355/conna...sthash.Fu2GDKY7.dpuf

I think its a kick ass idea and with its proximity to the sportsground they'll be getting a great rugby education. This is bound to turn some kids heads.

Oisin Heffernan confirmed on the Leinster U20 panel.

I blame the Irish commentary... :blush: I definitely heard connolly a few times during the game but I've no idea why now.