Didn't know O'Meara went to Hartbury College. There one of the top rugby playing colleges in Britain so that's a good step for him and one which should keep him in good stead.

I always thought Bercis was a long shot as Leinster were allegedly making overtures to him as well. Bedford have a good academy like you stay and he seems well bedded in the Irish system so not really worried about him.

Was he the Connolly playing today with the u-20s? If so I thought he was very good personally, not on the ball as often as van der flier I think but seemed to go well.

Didn't see the game but no Connolly was announced. The backrow for Ireland were Daniel Leavy, Josh van der Flier & Conor Joyce .

connachtexile wrote: Looks like Joe Bercis is staying with the Bedford Blue's. There his hometown club so fair enough. He's only going into the U19's next year for Bedford so he's still very young. Maybe next year then.

Anyone find out any more about Connolly? He doesn't seem to be a standout by any means but in Carolan we trust.

Bercis is in the Exiles squad for the GB7's series. He's in the Blues Academy already so probably staying put and keeping his options open at this stage...

www.gb7s.com/irish-exiles/
www.gb7s.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/...sFinalMeggetland.pdf

Need to bear in mind that a lot of the Exiles lads are heading to, or already in third level education, and going from school in England to Uni in Ireland while trying to establish a fledgling professional career is a massive step. The Blues have a successful academy structure, and he knows the academic options in the area so that is probably his first consideration, being a full Ireland international is probably down the list somewhere...

Once O'Meara opted for Hartpury College last autumn there was never any chance that he was coming into our academy this season either...

Was he the Connolly playing today with the u-20s? If so I thought he was very good personally, not on the ball as often as van der flier I think but seemed to go well.

Looks like Joe Bercis is staying with the Bedford Blue's. There his hometown club so fair enough. He's only going into the U19's next year for Bedford so he's still very young. Maybe next year then.

Anyone find out any more about Connolly? He doesn't seem to be a standout by any means but in Carolan we trust.

rossie wrote: not a great advert for the schools game within the province though which is a concern.

do these lads go to roscrea on a scholarship/bursary type deal or are the parents footing the bill?

They recently introduced a bursary, but only for 1 or 2. I know that Sean O'Brien and Rory Maloney were their since they were first years, Jacob Walshe was there for just one year.

There are not many fee paying schools in the West and Roscrea seems to fit the bill, nor is it as expensive or exclusive as, say Clongowes. But success means more want to go there. They are also very competitive in hurling and were North Leinster football champions this year. School only has 250 boys of which 25 or so are foreign kids, so there are many "dual" players

Craic Head wrote: So as I understand it then Rory Maloney is the only player who is in straight from U18 age group? Most of the others were U19 last year and so U20 next year.

Good to hear that Heffernan is coming west, so he must be in the Sub Academy. Do they name Sub Academy players? How many join that?

Hope that O'Hagan has not gone to Ulster, he is a real talent. Interestingly of the 8 graduates 6 forwards and only 2 backs? Pararta down as a centre and not a fly half ?

Good luck to them all

Sub Academy normally not named anywhere in any of the provinces(only time ive ever seen a list of Munster sub academy members was when a list was published in programme of either the Munster v Australia or New Zealand games)
Sub Academy numbers would vary throughout the season I imagine with more in sub academy in summer and early season
Parata is prob looked at as 10/12 but will start off as 12 I imagine and will play there before moving in to 10 in year or twos time

So as I understand it then Rory Maloney is the only player who is in straight from U18 age group? Most of the others were U19 last year and so U20 next year.

Good to hear that Heffernan is coming west, so he must be in the Sub Academy. Do they name Sub Academy players? How many join that?

Hope that O'Hagan has not gone to Ulster, he is a real talent. Interestingly of the 8 graduates 6 forwards and only 2 backs? Pararta down as a centre and not a fly half ?

Good luck to them all

connachtexile wrote: Good news! Saw this on the Lenster site! The lad who posted it is our version of Porterbelly so it's reliable.

Disappointingly enough, Leinster are losing both Rory Moloney(flanker) and Oisin Heffernan(Prop) to the Connacht under 20 team next year, both were fixtures for Leinster under 18 this year and Ireland under 18. Probably the best flanker and prop in the cup this season too.

Both went to Roscrea, Moloney is from Laois and Heffernan from Galway.

So we haven't lost Heffernan to the Eastie's! With any luck he'll hit academy next year.

thats very very very surprising to say the least.

Good news! Saw this on the Lenster site! The lad who posted it is our version of Porterbelly so it's reliable.

Disappointingly enough, Leinster are losing both Rory Moloney(flanker) and Oisin Heffernan(Prop) to the Connacht under 20 team next year, both were fixtures for Leinster under 18 this year and Ireland under 18. Probably the best flanker and prop in the cup this season too.

Both went to Roscrea, Moloney is from Laois and Heffernan from Galway.

So we haven't lost Heffernan to the Eastie's! With any luck he'll hit academy next year.

not a great advert for the schools game within the province though which is a concern.

do these lads go to roscrea on a scholarship/bursary type deal or are the parents footing the bill?

Let's view the results shall we?

Academy Candidates:

Confirmed:
1. Rory Parratta - (Correct!)

Rumoured to have signed:
1. Sean O'Brien - (Correct!)
2. Rory Moloney - (Correct!)

Not joining:
1. Oisin Heffernan - (Leinster Sub-Academy)


Still no information:
1. Caolin Blade (Nope but he's very young so probably next year)

2. Seuba Meunargia (Correct but surprised he's very young for a prop)

3. Jacob Walsh (Correct!)

4. David Panter (Correct)

5. Alex O'Meara (Nope and it looks like his chance is gone with Connacht)

6. Ciaran Gaffney (Nope but a contender for next year)

7. Joe Bercis (Nope -but looks like he's being picked up in England)

8. Sean O'Hagan (Nope - ?)

9. Conor Kyne (Nope but a contender for next year)

10. Dwayne Corcoran (Nope - ?)

11. Mark Roche (Nope even after making the Ireland U20's this year and having a good AIL Season)
12. Cathal Evans (Nope - future uncertain)

13. Charlie Butterworth (Nope - got injured at the worse possible time so maybe next year)

Didn't Have:

James Connolly (Back Row) - Ensconced in the Leinster School system so know bugger all about him.

Conor Kindregan (Lock) - I think most people's thinking was he would have being brought in earlier if Connacht were going to take him. Hope he works out.

I don't know if it is a guaranteed agreement per se but I thought that it was somewhat of a tradition for promising players in the province to go away to Roscrea, a la Duffy? Regardless I know there is a lad from my cousin's GAA club in Mayo who is with the Connacht underage set up and was told or decided to move to Roscrea a year or two ago. This is only third hand so I can't say how much was his own decision and how much was he was told to do it.

_nobody_ wrote: I am very happy with that intake! Having seen Maloney and O'Brien this year I would hope for big things from them.

Year three of the academy will be interesting to follow to see who will make the step up and who will be released from it at the end of the year.

What every agreement has been made between Connacht and Roscrea seems to be working.

That's 6 CCR guys out of 20 in the Academy - Finn, Layden & T Leader are in Year 3. Not sure that there is an agreement, but almost 40% of Roscrea intake is now from Connacht. For next year, keep an eye out on Mark Kelly a flanker from Portumna, currently on Connachy U18. Ciaran Gaffney may also get an opportunity, while he has finished CCR, he may have been on the young side for the Academy this year despite being Connacht U18 player of the year.

I am very happy with that intake! Having seen Maloney and O'Brien this year I would hope for big things from them.

Year three of the academy will be interesting to follow to see who will make the step up and who will be released from it at the end of the year.

What every agreement has been made between Connacht and Roscrea seems to be working.

Has anybody seen Meunargia play?

Carolan recruits Academy players for season ahead

The Connacht Academy has been finalised for the 2013/14 season.

Five players have been promoted to the professional ranks from the academy this season and this has paved the way for Academy Manager Nigel Carolan to add in his new recruits.

The vision of the Connacht Academy is to produce winning rugby players who will go on to play for Connacht and Ireland.

Robbie Henshaw and Kieran Marmion both had phenomenal seasons with Connacht; making the journey from the Academy right through to starters on the senior team. Both were rewarded with senior contracts and last month, the uncapped youngsters were named in the Ireland Squad and are currently touring North America. Henshaw earned his first senior Ireland cap at the weekend, starting at full back against the USA Eagles in Houston.

Joining Henshaw and Marmion in the Connacht senior squad next season are Academy products Aaron Conneely (back row), Dave Heffernan (hooker) and Danny Qualter (lock).

Meanwhile, the following eight players will join year one of the Academy for the upcoming season:

James Connolly (Back Row)

Conor Kindregan (Lock)

Rory Moloney (Back Row)

Saba Meunargia (Tight-Head Prop)

Sean O’Brien (Back Row/Lock)

David Panter (Back Three)

Rory Parata (Centre)

Jacob Walsh (Loose-Head Prop)



Introducing the new Connacht Academy recruits:

James Connolly, a dynamic back row player, was educated in Newbridge College and has played with Connacht at both Under-19 and Under-20, earning himself a nomination for ‘Player of the Year’ at both levels in successive years. Unfortunately, injuries ruled him out of contention for selection on the respective National teams.

A physical lock forward, Conor Kindregan, was a member of the Connacht U20 team that won the Interprovincial title in 2011. While completing his third year of Wood Science and Technology in University of Limerick this year, he played six times for the Connacht Eagles during the province’s inaugural year competing in the British & Irish Cup. This included the 31-16 win over Cross Keys and the narrow 16-6 loss to Newcastle Falcons.

Rory Moloney, an abrasive number 7, was a member of the Cistercian College Roscrea team that was narrowly beaten by eventual winners Blackrock College in the semi-final of the Leinster Schools Cup this season. He has represented Ireland at U18 Schools level for the last 2 years.

Saba Meunargia, a monstrous tight-head prop, was born in Georgia and has being living in Athlone for the last five years. He played a big part in helping Marist College win the 2011/12 Connacht Schools Cup for the first time in 35 years. The Buccaneers man has represented Ireland at both Ireland U18 Schools and U19.

Sean O’Brien, from Clarinbridge in Galway, was captain of the Cistercian College Roscrea team that was narrowly beaten by eventual winners Blackrock College in the semi-final of the Leinster Schools Cup this season. The Galwegians RFC man has represented Ireland at both U18 Clubs and Schools and he was also captain of the Ireland U19 team this season in their two internationals against England an France.

David Panter was identified through the Irish Exiles system. The Surrey-born fullback, has previously represented Ireland at U18 Clubs level and played in four of the five 6 Nations games with the Ireland U20’s this year. He plays rugby for Corinthians RFC and is currently with the Irish U20’s playing in the IRB Rugby World Championship in France.

Rory Parata, a versatile back, was a member of the Rockwell College team that was beaten by Crescent Comprehensive in the Munster Schools Cup final this year. In helping Connacht U19’s win the 2012/13 Interprovincial title, he was selected to represent Ireland in their two U19 Internationals against England and France in April of this year.

Jacob Walsh, a dynamic loose-head prop from Aughrim, was educated in Garbally College until this season when he attended Cistercian College Roscrea for his final year in school. The Ballinasloe man has represented Ireland at both Ireland U18 Clubs and U19.

Speaking about the upcoming season Nigel Carolan said:

“I’m very excited about the new crop of players we have coming in. Every one of them has proven that they are deserving of a place in the Academy and we now have a duty to do everything we can to develop these young men and help them reach their full potential.

“We had a good year with the Connacht Academy. Obviously the rapid progression of Robbie and Kieran to the senior team was fantastic. But we also had our first year in the British & Irish Cup competition and we took a lot from that. It was great to have our young players involved with the Connacht Eagles team and to gain that invaluable experience against quality opposition.

“Next year, Connacht will once again compete in the Heineken and B&I cup and with the demands of the Rabo, we need depth in our squad. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what we can do with our new blend of signings.”

Full list of Connacht Academy 2013/14

YEAR 3

Jack Carty (Outhalf)
Conor Finn (Centre)
Shane Layden (Back Three)
Tadhg Leader (Centre)
YEAR 2

Finlay Bealham (Loose-Head Prop)
Jamie Dever (Tight-Head Prop)
Ultan Dillane (Lock)
Darragh Leader (Back Three)
Steve Macauley (Back Three)
Peter Reilly (Tight-Head Prop)
Marcus Walsh (Scrumhalf)
YEAR 1

James Connolly (Back Row)
Conor Kindegran (Lock)
Saba Meunargia (Tight-Head Prop)
Rory Moloney (Back Row)
Sean O’Brien (Back Row/Lock)
David Panter (Back Three)
Rory Parata (Centre)
Jacob Walsh (Loose-Head Prop)
- See more at: www.connachtrugby.ie/2013061283340/carol...2fny2c.Gmu7wJhY.dpuf

I've added him to the list.

Candidates:
1. Caolin Blade (scrum half mostly but has played 10)
2. Seuba Meunargia (prop)
3. Jacob Walshe (prop)
4. David Panter (winger)
5. Alex O'Meara (winger and 15)
6. Ciaran Gaffney (10, 12)
7. Joe Bercis (7)
8. Sean O'Hagan (12, 13, 10 and 15)
9. Conor Kyne (prop)
10. Dwayne Corcoran (12,13)
11. Mark Roche (winger)
12. Cathal Evans (15,wing)
13. Charlie Butterworth (flanker)