I think we're going about it the right way. The academy only came together about a month ago so it's better for the coaches to to get access to the players and oversee them rather than naming the academy beforhand and get an opportunity to see who's worthy of an academy contract

Meant to mention that gardiner was training with us, he's a lock/ back rower. That makes 2 from the Leicester Tigers along with McAuley who are training with the academy. Some good young talent there, the talent spotters are earning their corn

Just googled him there, seems a promising player going by what I've read.

His profile on "the twitter machine" says he is in Galway anyway.

"Cinema with tha boyzz! @aaronconneely@JackCarty1 #spiderman"

Great to see us getting these lads and planning for the future but are we not a bit overloaded with up and coming 2nd rows at this stage, can we give all these lads the stepping stone they need?

Maybe Kearney and / or Dillane and / or Gardiner are regarded as back row prospects?

We'll have to see I suppose but these lads coming in are going to raise the bar. There should be a good intensity in the Academy training sessions.

It'd be good to see a squad list at this stage alright just to see where we are at.

i dont know if this is brought up before but it looks like we have JONATHAN GARDINER here, more than likely academy. he was with leicester tigers last year and also scarlets before i believe.

he's 20 and a lock.
its about time connacht put out there squads list

What happens with the young lads is that there are 40 odd training in the academy for 3 months and then some are selected to be kept on during the season to train together and somethimes with the senior team. That's why O Meara is saying 3 months

Interesting way to do it. Has that always been the way we've worked it? It makes more sense than say the Munster way to a huge extent.

swift4prez wrote:

connachtexile wrote: Anyone hear if we've announced our 1st year academy or when we're going to? I think we've agreed that these guys are probably/definitely in:

Ultan Dillane (lock/back row) <strong>i doubt he will be in academy, my guess development</strong>
Darragh Leader (fly half/full back)
Jamie Dever (prop)
Robbie Henshaw (centre)
Alex O'Meara (centre) <strong>will only be here for 3months according to himself on twitter</strong>
Stephen McAuley (fullback)

Dillane is definitely in the academy, not a development contract

What happens with the young lads is that there are 40 odd training in the academy for 3 months and then some are selected to be kept on during the season to train together and somethimes with the senior team. That's why O Meara is saying 3 months

swift4prez wrote: Ultan Dillane (lock/back row) <strong>i doubt he will be in academy, my guess development</strong>

Post from his club said he was here for 3 years which sounds like academy to me. Plus he's only 20.

connachtexile wrote: Anyone hear if we've announced our 1st year academy or when we're going to? I think we've agreed that these guys are probably/definitely in:

Ultan Dillane (lock/back row) i doubt he will be in academy, my guess development
Darragh Leader (fly half/full back)
Jamie Dever (prop)
Robbie Henshaw (centre)
Alex O'Meara (centre) will only be here for 3months according to himself on twitter
Stephen McAuley (fullback)

Anyone hear if we've announced our 1st year academy or when we're going to? I think we've agreed that these guys are probably/definitely in:

Ultan Dillane (lock/back row)
Darragh Leader (fly half/full back)
Jamie Dever (prop)
Robbie Henshaw (centre)
Alex O'Meara (centre)
Stephen McAuley (fullback)

Whats the lad Jamie Dever like? We're short on props and while he's a loooong way off getting to the first team it would be nice to know we've some propping potential coming through?

thanks for the info porterbelly.

I presume Daragh Leader is related/brother of Tadgh? Ive heard a lot about henshaw here in athlone and he is very highly regarded. i thought he had another year left in school tho but could be wrong there.

Edited above

Darragh Leader and Robbie Henshaw

What positions do these guys play?

Not sure who's going to make the final cut but I've heard that Dave Heffernan,Kevin O'Byrne, Danny Qualter and Finlay Bealham have been doing pre season with the senior team so they'll be getting academy contracts more than likely. Shane Layden has been doing rehab on his broken leg so he's another candidate. Others who'll probably be getting contracts are Jack Carty, Conor Finn, Aaron Conneely,Kieran Marmion and Peter Reilly who has come from Leinster and was with the Irish 20's

Coming into the first year academy I'd imagine we'll see Ultan Dillane (lock/back row) signed from Tralee, Darragh Leader (fly half/full back), Jamie Dever (prop) and Robbie Henshaw (centre) as they're all Irish u19's. Academy training starts next week so it will take shape soon as to who'll be getting academy contracts for the year

yea, i know. they have one prop in entire acadamy next yr. James Cronin a loose head is in year 2. Alan Cotter, Christy Condon( both TH) and Kilcoyne(LH) have moved onto Development contracts.

Maybe there was noone available that was good enough, not sure. I know that Rael and Moroney won a senior cup a few years back with Castletroy so it could be an indication of how long it takes to make acadamy level.

rossie wrote: Munster have announced their yr 1 acadamy recruits.

1. Ryan Murphy( Back Row) Pbc, Cork.
2. Jack O Donoghue( Back Row) Waterpark, Waterford.
3. Jonathon Holland( Outhalf) Colaiste Criost roi, Cork.
4. Darren Maroney ( Fullback/Wing) Castletroy College, Limk.
5. James Rael ( Hooker ) Castletroy College, Limk.
6. Brian Haugh ( Scrumhalf) Rockwell College, Clare.

I dont know much about the schools game atm but with Leinster and Munster making their picks for the season ahead those of you who do will probably have a clearer picture of whats left outside of connacht.
(The county listed above is players home county).

What, no props? :evil:

Munster have announced their yr 1 acadamy recruits.

1. Ryan Murphy( Back Row) Pbc, Cork.
2. Jack O Donoghue( Back Row) Waterpark, Waterford.
3. Jonathon Holland( Outhalf) Colaiste Criost roi, Cork.
4. Darren Maroney ( Fullback/Wing) Castletroy College, Limk.
5. James Rael ( Hooker ) Castletroy College, Limk.
6. Brian Haugh ( Scrumhalf) Rockwell College, Clare.

I dont know much about the schools game atm but with Leinster and Munster making their picks for the season ahead those of you who do will probably have a clearer picture of whats left outside of connacht.
(The county listed above is players home county).