The Academies

Locke_Lamora wrote: »

Wasn't there a really good back row from clongowes? I think I remember their 7 standing out in the senior cup, but I might be wrong.

Their 7 in the senior cup was completely outplayed by the Michaels 7 in the quarters. Wouldn't have held him up as anything notable. Certainly the Castlknock 7 was better - Corcoran.

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

What do people think of this?
Expensive for full residential programme but plenty of other programmes as part of whole service.
http://www.the42.ie/rugby-academy-ireland-dan-van-zyl-4162880-Aug2018/

I was just about to post about this.

I think it's a good idea for sure, in the fact that there's a lot of players who get overlooked at that age.

But €17k for the 8 month program. That's shocking pricing, and it's just taking advantage of young lads who want to make it as a professional player.

I'd much rather see young lads play AIL and try prove their worth there.

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

The 17K is for accommodation as well as coaching though and how else would you fund everything in it.
The players involved will still play AIL as the article mentions as theyve no other choice of teams to play for here.

I understand, but I guess my reasoning is I don't want this to be seen as the only way back in to an academy spot if you get me.

That you have to go and pay 17k. Which might be fine for some, but for others it's a hell of a lot of money.

I think it's a great idea. Individual coaching and basically an academy set up. There could be a path to pro rugby for some that don't make the academies.
Some of these lads could develop into really good players. I wonder how many lads are overlooked and give up. This could be a model for the future. If its successful, I can see more of these camps opening worldwide.
My guess is that a lot of foreign players will sign up. These men could be on to a really successful business. I hope it does well.

Dubinusa wrote: »

I think it's a great idea. Individual coaching and basically an academy set up. There could be a path to pro rugby for some that don't make the academies.
Some of these lads could develop into really good players. I wonder how many lads are overlooked and give up. This could be a model for the future. If its successful, I can see more of these camps opening worldwide.
My guess is that a lot of foreign players will sign up. These men could be on to a really successful business. I hope it does well.

Will be interesting to see various levels of pricing for the course. Many are overlooked and give up a few years later but overwhelming majority who are close to pro are not those who give up when 18-22 its the guys a tier below that who would be very good club players in AIL etc.

launish116 wrote: »

Silly question would a player playing in a top AIL team be getting paid? 
Would love to know how this 17k compares to the cost at a provincial academy (investment per player etc). I appreciate its like comparing apples and oranges! But could you see future provinces financing or providing part scholarship for fringe players to head off here and return at a later date if wanted?
Overall I think it's a good idea, just hope the 17k etc. doesn't put people off. But ultimately a player who wants its bad enough would find away I guess, and ultimately that is the type of player clubs want!

Depends on the club in AIL and depends on player. Plenty are getting some sort of payment/BIKs.

http://www.the42.ie/ulster-rugby-academy-culture-open-doors-4153062-Aug2018/

Sounds like quite a seismic shift at the Ulster Academy. Like the sound of Willie's pyramid (as it were).

Ulster U19 Traveling Squad

Prop: Seif Ed Abd El Gawad(Carrickfergus RFC)
Hooker: Bryn Davies(Rainey)
Hooker: Jack Treanor(Royal Armagh)
Lock: Stephen Kelly(Inishowen RFC)
Lock: Robbie Mathers(Banbridge)
Lock: Conor McMenamin(Letterkenny RFC)
Backrow: David Brown(Coleraine)
Backrow: Adam Campbell(Ballyclare High School)
Backrow: Charlie Clarke(Rainey)
Backrow: Ryan O'Neill(Royal Armagh)
Backrow: George Saunderson(Sullivan Upper)
Backrow: Jack Stinson(Campbell)
Backrow: David McCann(RBAI)
Scrumhalf: Lewis Finlay(Down HS)
Scrumhalf: Charlie Worth(Royal Armagh)
Outhalf/Fullback: Robbie Armstrong(Methody)
Centre: Keelin Coyle(Foyle & Londonderry College)
Centre: Ben Power(Campbell)
Centre: Angus Adair(RBAI)
Outhalf: David Dripps(Rainey)
Outhalf: Robbie Johnston(Regent House)
Back Three: Chris Larmour(Methody)
Back Three: Ben McCaughey(Friend's School)
Back Three: Ethan McIlroy(Methody)
Back Three: Kane McIlroy(Cambridge House)

Ulster U18 Schools Traveling Squad

Prop: Jonathan Agnew (RS Armagh)
Centre: Ben Carson (Wallace HS)
Reuben Crothers (Wallace HS)
Outhalf: Jack Dillon (Wallace HS)
Scrumhalf: Nathan Doak (Wallace HS)
Hooker: Joel Dundas (Wallace HS)
Backrow: Oscar Egan (Coleraine GS)
Luke Graham (Methodist College)
Adam Hanna (Banbridge Academy)
Centre: Jack Harte (Friends' School)
Back Three: Brandon Hassan (BRA)
Will Hopes (Regent House)
Outhalf: Greg Hutley (Down HS)
Back Three: Paddy McAlpine (Campbell College)
Hooker: James McCormick (Dalriada)
Centre: Robin McIlveen (RBAI)
Outhalf: Ross McKay (Ballymena Academy)
Connor McKee (Sullivan Upper)
Luke Pollock (Dalriada)
Back Three: Jude Postlethwaite (RBAI)
Hooker: Sam Rainey (RS Armagh)
Back Three: Conor Rankin (Campbell College)
Backrow: Jude Roberts (RS Armagh)
Lock: Matthew Sands (St Colman's College)
Hooker: Tom Stewart (BRA)
Backrow: Gareth Wells (Bangor GS)
Lock: Riley Westwood (Bangor GS)

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UPCOMING ULSTER ACADEMY & AGE-GRADE FIXTURES

Academy

Ulster v Leinster
Friday 31st August, 6.00pm at Malone RFC

U19

Munster v Ulster
Saturday 1st September, Time TBC at Venue TBC

Ulster v Connacht
Saturday 8th September, Time TBC at Newforge

Ulster v Leinster
Saturday 15th September, Time TBC at Newforge

U18 Schools

Ulster v Munster
Saturday 18th August, 1.00pm at University of Limerick

Ulster v IQ Rugby
Wednesday 22nd August, 11.00am at University of Limerick

Ulster v Leinster
Sunday 26th August, 3.00pm at University of Limerick

U18 Clubs

Ulster v Munster
Saturday 18th August, 3.00pm at University of Limerick

Ulster v Leinster
Wednesday 22nd August, 1.00pm at University of Limerick

Ulster v Connacht
Sunday 26th August, 1.00pm at University of Limerick

Tarf1234 wrote: »

Don't think he got a contract anywhere

Yeah seems like he missed out, hope he has a big season for Tarf.

stephen_n wrote: »

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

http://www.the42.ie/ulster-rugby-academy-culture-open-doors-4153062-Aug2018/

Sounds like quite a seismic shift at the Ulster Academy. Like the sound of Willie's pyramid (as it were).

Lot of positive stuff there, as is born out by the increased representation at age levels. The fact they are increasing the catchment areas into the border counties is a big plus.

Yeah. The first season anyone can remember that we had Academy prospects from Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal - hopefully that's not just a one-off. I think the recent trial obviously set the image of rugby back amongst the community here - but particularly in the Nationalist community as various critics tried to portray the outcome as some sort of middle-class Unionist establishment fudge.

stephen_n wrote: »

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Yeah. The first season anyone can remember that we had Academy prospects from Cavan, Monaghan and Donegal - hopefully that's not just a one-off. I think the recent trial obviously set the image of rugby back amongst the community here - but particularly in the Nationalist community as various critics tried to portray the outcome as some sort of middle-class Unionist establishment fudge.

No offense but only in NI :rolleyes:

If Ulster can develop outside their traditional catchment areas, they should be able to rival Leinster's academy. Not something that will happen overnight, but seems like some positive steps being taken.

Absolutely not only in NI - Aodhán Ó Riordáin's potentially libellous tweet along those lines required him to backtrack and offer an apology after a letter from the defence solicitors.

On your wider point, here's hoping!

stephen_n wrote: »

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Absolutely not only in NI - AodhRiord's potentially libellous tweet along those lines required him to backtrack and offer an apology after a letter from the defence solicitors.

On your wider point, here's hoping!

I have never seen the tweet because it was deleted, didn’t realize it was sectarian in nature.

You can still find it online if you rummage around. I wouldn't call it overtly sectarian - he didn't say "I hate Prods" or anything, but he certainly made clear he thought they "got off" (his words) with it because of who they were, their connections and so on. Ironically, he was exactly wrong - but that's another story.

Apparently Joe Dunleavy, if he makes it, will be the first professional rugby player from Donegal?