Rugby League looking at AIL players

Amazotheamazing

Rugby League Ireland is beginning to reap the benefits of their inaugural Talent Identification Academy that took place in Limerick this May, with confirmation that three players who took part in the 3 day showcase are heading to Super League clubs for a month long trial period.
In addition, a standout member of Rugby League Ireland’s underage set up has also already joined Leeds Rhinos Under 20s on trial.

Aaron McCloskey, who currently plays Rugby Union with Garryowen RFC & Ian Cross, Young Munster RFC, will both commence month long trials this week with Super League giants St Helens while William Stewart, Belfast Harlequins RFC is heading to Castleford Tigers. All three young players took part in the Talent Identification Academy in Limerick in May at which over 20 young players from all four Irish provinces took part in workouts, fitness testing, interviews and games watched by head coaches from top UK league clubs. On the back of their performances at the Academy, all three players were immediately called into the Irish ‘A’ Rugby League panel and made their international debuts in the recent international with Wales.

Another young talent who was due to take part in the Academy but was unable to do so due to exam commitments in May was Joseph Taylor, Barnhall RFC, who is currently spending the summer on trial with Leeds Under 20’s and made his competitive Under 20 debut last week. Joseph was spotted playing for Ireland by ex Irish International Barry McDermott, who is now Head of Youth Development at the Yorkshire Club. Joseph plays his domestic Rugby League with the North Dublin Eagles and has played senior level with Ireland in 2010 in addition to captaining the Irish student team in 2011.

Welcoming the news that three players have been picked up for trial as a result of the Academy, Gordon Matthews, General Manager of Rugby League Ireland, explained. “The idea behind that inaugural Talent Identification Academy was to give players of high ability an opportunity to see if a career in Rugby League was something they would be interested in. This in turn allows Rugby League Ireland as the national body improve the quality of our national team, through identifying young raw talent that may flourish in the professional game in the UK. As we head towards the 2013 World Cup, our hope is that more home grown young talent will make the grade in the professional game in the UK which will help make our national team more competitive against the established nations. It is very satisfying that in its first year, the Academy has successfully identified a number of young talents who are now being given their chance to impress at some of Super League’s biggest clubs. Plans are already underway to host a similar Talent Identification Academy in 2012. “

Rugby League Ireland currently registers 20 clubs throughout the 32 counties and their three provincial league season runs over 14 weeks. Ireland will host Samoa & France later this year in the first Rugby League Internationals to be played in Thomond Park. This comes on the back of the recently announced submission to host games in the Rugby League World Cup 2013 in Thomond Park, in conjunction with Shannon Development and The Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau. Those wishing to support the campaign to secure Limerick’s status as a host city can do so at the ‘Back the Bid – Limerick 2013’ Facebook page

Amazotheamazing

Interesting development, hope it works out for these guys. It's probably good see more Irish players playing pro rugby, even if it's league.

justsomebloke

eh, no different from GAA players going to oz to play Aussie Rules. Some people would love to be full time professional athletes and this is their opportunity. Good luck to them all

Tim Robbins

There's a coach in Barnhall with the second name Taylor. I wonder is it any relation?

Luckycharm

Good luck to them it would be nice to have Irish born and bred players playing for the Irish RL team. The Summer league is a bit of a joke though it is mainly made of Aussie/kiwi ex pats and Rugby union players looking to keep fit - alot of the clubs struggle to put out teams at times.

profitius

They might as well find the talent for the RL clubs because Munster have failed big time in identifying talent.

Amazotheamazing

profitius wrote: »

They might as well find the talent for the RL clubs because Munster have failed big time in identifying talent.

Munster have tried to bring guys back the AIL in the last few seasons, have you seen either of these guys play?

couerdelion

Tim Robbins wrote: »

There's a coach in Barnhall with the second name Taylor. I wonder is it any relation?

yep, it's his dad.

couerdelion

Luckycharm wrote: »

Good luck to them it would be nice to have Irish born and bred players playing for the Irish RL team. The Summer league is a bit of a joke though it is mainly made of Aussie/kiwi ex pats and Rugby union players looking to keep fit - alot of the clubs struggle to put out teams at times.

The League is a joke and to be fair it's a little bit difficult to only play Rugby League in this country when there is only 3 league games. we had a lot of players coming to try league as a sport to keep fit but loving the game and using union to keep fit for League.

There aren't that many expats playing though across all clubs.

I think the GAA/Aussie rules comaprison is pretty good. Similar games but not the same and horses for courses.

Guy:Incognito

couerdelion wrote: »

The League is a joke and to be fair it's a little bit difficult to only play Rugby League in this country when there is only 3 league games. we had a lot of players coming to try league as a sport to keep fit but loving the game and using union to keep fit for League.

.

We put a team in this year to give league a go in the summer and ended up in the Leinster plate final after playing 2 games, both against Ballyfermot. It really need better organisation. There seemed to be all sorts of talk of going to a series of 9's games and whatnot when the inter provincial games started. 3 games a year just isnt anywhere near enough for it to be the only sport you play. It seems to be made up as they go along, but there is potential there and the lads runnign it seem to be dedicated.

One of our lads did get picked for Leinster though and won the inter provintial series with them last weekend. Not bad for a J4 player.

CatFromHue

In fairness the main problem is a lack of teams. The clubs are either faced with play their local rivals, who could actually be far enough away, or play in an all Ireland league where games would be played all over the country. I also think tag rugby has taken away alot of potential players.

It's an enjoyable enough game to play over the summer I found. The stop start nature of it will eventually be its downfall though.

profitius

Amazotheamazing wrote: »

Munster have tried to bring guys back the AIL in the last few seasons, have you seen either of these guys play?

Nope I've never seen them play. Good luck to them though. They might be better suited to RL.

Luckycharm

couerdelion wrote: »

The League is a joke and to be fair it's a little bit difficult to only play Rugby League in this country when there is only 3 league games. we had a lot of players coming to try league as a sport to keep fit but loving the game and using union to keep fit for League.

There aren't that many expats playing though across all clubs.

I think the GAA/Aussie rules comaprison is pretty good. Similar games but not the same and horses for courses.

It seems to have got worse I remember saying I would give it a go about 7/8 years ago and trained with Tallaght Tigers (don't think they are still going). Trained for a few weeks and then when we had our first match 10 players showed up against a team of kiwis and ozzies. We got thrashed and running into 3 lads every time was not much fun.

Guy:Incognito

Luckycharm wrote: »

Tallaght Tigers (don't think they are still going). .

They are.Won the Leinster plate this year

Are you playing rugby at all now? Few of the lads that played back then are still playing Union for Tallaght. Plenty of space for players.