Academy 2017/2018

[mildlyinterested]

Prop
Oisin Heffernan(Year 3/Terenure) - bench.
Jeremy Loughman(Year 3/UCD) - started at 1.
Vakh Abdaladze(Year 1/Clontarf) - injured.
Jack Aungier(Year 1/St. Marys) - bench.

Jordan Duggan(Naas) - started at 1.
Joe Byrne(DUFC) - started at 3, 1 try.

Hooker
Sean McNulty(Year 3/UCD) - started at 2.
Ronan Kelleher(Year 1/Lansdowne) - bench.

Dan Sheehan(DUFC) - didn't play this weekend.
Eoghan Clarke(Wanderers) - unknown.

Lock
Oisin Dowling(Year 1/Lansdowne) - started at 5.

Cormac Daly(Clontarf) - didn't play this weekend.
JJ O'Dea(Old Wesley) - started at 5.
Jack Dunne(DUFC) - started at 5.

Backrow
Peadar Timmins(UCD) - didn't play this weekend.
Josh Murphy(Year 3/UCD) - started at 6 for senior team.
Will Connors(Year 2/UCD) - irish 7's
Caelan Doris(Year 1/St. Marys) - injured.

Ronan Foley(UCD) - started at 6.
Alan Francis(Blackrock) - started at 7.
Richard Dunne(DUFC) - bench.
Ronan Watters(St. Marys) - bench.

Scrumhalf
Charlie Rock(Year 3/Lansdowne) - bench.
Hugh O'Sullivan(Year 1/Clontarf) - started at 9.

Outhalf
Conor Dean(St. Marys) - injured
Harry Byrne(UCD) - started at 10, 3 cons.

Conor Kelly(Clontarf) - started at 10, 1 pen.

Outside Backs
Ian Fitzpatrick(Year 4/Lansdowne) - Ireland 7's.
Conor O'Brien(Year 2/Clontarf) - started at 13, 1 try.
Jimmy O'Brien(Year 2/UCD) - injured.
Hugo Keenan(Year 2/UCD) - Ireland 7's.
Terry Kennedy(Year 2/St. Marys) - Ireland 7's.
Jordan Larmour(Year 2/St. Marys) - started for senior(15), 2 tries.
Jack Kelly(Year 2/DUFC) - started at 14.
Ciaran Frawley(Year 1/UCD) - started at 15.
Gavin Mullin(Year 1/UCD) - started at 13.
Tommy O'Brien(Year 1/UCD) - didn't play this weekend.

Tommy O'Callaghan(Old Wesley) - started at 11, 2 tries.
Sean O'Brien(Clontarf) - started at 11.
Chris Carey(Old Belvo) - started at 11, 1 try.
Myles Carey(St. Marys) - started at 13.
Michael Silvester(DUFC) - started at 15.
Craig Kennedy(St. Marys) - started at 15.
James Moriarty(DUFC) - bench.

[mildlyinterested]

Future academy players in here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMMiY9H93LM

[mildlyinterested]

Charlie Ryan(under-19) made his club debut for UCD J1 after a long term injury was due to be Ireland schools captain last year before injury.

[mildlyinterested]

Leinster's academy next season?

Graduating:
Oisin Heffernan(Terenure/Prop)
Jeremy Loughman(UCD/Prop)
Sean McNulty(UCD/Hooker)
Josh Murphy(UCD/Backrow)
Charlie Rock(Lansdowne/Scrumhalf)
Ian Fitzpatrick(Lansdowne/Wing)

Graduating early:
Jordan Larmour(St. Marys/Back Three)
Caelan Doris(St. Marys/Backrow)

Prop
Vakh Abdaladze(Clontarf/Year 2)
Jack Aungier(St. Marys/Year 2)

Both are primarily TH Props, Joe Byrne(DUFC) and Jordan Duggan(Naas) should both play at under-20 level for Ireland and could push for an academy place although right now i'd say both are unlikely to get one. Several prospects at u19 level; Niall McEniff(St. Marys), Daragh Bolger(Clontarf) and Michael Milne(Roscrea) but too early for any of them to join academy next season IMO.

Hooker
Ronan Kelleher(Lansdowne/Year 2)

Big need for talent at this position, Eoghan Clarke(Wanderers) is at under-20 level and may earn an academy place this season, hard to predict now. Richie Bergin(UCD) looks a good prospect at under-19 but probably too early for him to join academy also. No obvious candidate to join straight from school, maybe Ethan Baxter(Gerards) but very unlikely as he is an u18.

Lock
Oisin Dowling(Lansdowne/Year 2)

A lot of talent in this position, Jack Dunne(DUFC) and Cormac Daly(Clontarf) should both feature heavily for Ireland u20 and look set for academy places assuming they continue to perform to the level they have showed to date. Below that under-19 Charlie Ryan(UCD) needs to stay healthy this season and under-18 Ryan Baird(Michaels) will probably spend a year in the sub academy.

Backrow
Openside
Will Connors(UCD/Year 3)

Two players in the academy at this position, both playing for DUFC; Max Kearney and Richard Dunne. Dunne is a regular in 1A while Kearney hasn't played AIL yet. Kearney appears to be ahead for Ireland u20. Dunne has also played Leinster A. Not to mention Scott Penny(Michaels) who is very highly rated. Unsure what will happen here as of now.

Blindside/Number 8

With Doris expected to graduate early, there is no obvious candidate to join the academy to replace him. JJ O'Dea(Old Wesley), Ronan Foley(UCD) and Cian Reilly(UCD) could push for an academy places with big seasons, but looks unlikely as of now. As does adding a backrow straight from school, the prime candidate for that would be Dan O'Donovan(Michaels).

Scrumhalf
Hugh O'Sullivan(Clontarf/Year 2)

Another need position, Patrick Patterson(UCD) is in the sub academy and looks the most likely player at the moment to join academy. James Kenny(Lansdowne) hasn't played this season due to injury. In school, Cormac Foley(Gerards) is playing centre at the moment and will spend a season in the sub academy next season IMO.

Outhalf

A very complex situation with u20 Conor Dean(St. Marys), u19 Harry Byrne(UCD) and schools star David Hawkshaw(Belvedere). It's unclear if Leinster views Hawkshaw as a 10 long term, if they do then I can't see all three joining the leinster academy. Right now I could see Dean potentially losing out but it's very early.

Centres
Conor O'Brien(Clontarf/Year 3)
Jimmy O'Brien(UCD/Year 3)
Gavin Mullin(UCD/Year 2)

Assuming Conor O'Brien doesn't join the senior squad early, this looks likely to be the centre grouping in the academy next season. Sean O'Brien(Clontarf) is the obvious candidate in the sub academy for an academy position at the moment I'd say he is on the outside looking in for an academy position. In schools the obvious candidate is David Ryan(Michaels) but don't see him joining straight out of school.

Back Three
Hugo Keenan(UCD/Year 3)
Terry Kennedy(St. Marys/Year 3)

Two players who have focused on 7's this season, I could see one being released early - most likely Kennedy. In the sub academy Michael Silvester(DUFC) looks very likely to get an academy position, beyond that maybe Peter Sullivan(Lansdowne) or Tom Roche(Lansdowne) could push for a place but looks unlikely at this point. In schools Liam Turner(Blackrock) is unlikely to join straight from school at this point.

Outside Backs
Jack Kelly(DUFC/Year 3)
Tommy O'Brien(UCD/Year 2)
Ciaran Frawley(UCD/Year 2)

A grouping of players who have played multiple positions either centre, wing or fullback. David Hawkshaw could join this group if Leinster don't view him as a long term 10.

[CiaranIrl]

Fine post, as usual. Thanks for that. If Conor Dean & Harry Byrne don't both get snapped up, one of the other provinces should jump on the chance to get one of them. I agree that Harry Byrne is the better prospect, but both are excellent options in my opinion.

[mildlyinterested]

Fine post, as usual. Thanks for that. If Conor Dean & Harry Byrne don't both get snapped up, one of the other provinces should jump on the chance to get one of them. I agree that Harry Byrne is the better prospect, but both are excellent options in my opinion.

Thanks..

Yeah, if Dean does lose out I could see him heading west.

I hope both get offers, I just don't know if they will, it really depends on Hawkshaw.

I think Harry is a better prospect than his brother at the same age.

[neiliog93]

Would Doris really get promoted early even after his injury-disrupted season this year? (Especially given there are no other outstanding no.8/blindside candidates who've already left school).

Possible 22 for 2018-19 academy, heavily informed by your reports but also my own observations:

LP: Niall McEniff (decently big need for a loosehead, especially if Dooley leaves).
HK: Ronan Kelleher...the other guys don't seem good enough.
TP: Jack Aungier, Vakh Abdaladze

SR: Oisin Dowling, Jack Dunne, Cormac Daly (based on our needs and the fact that 18 yr old Dunne is 6'7"-6'8" I don't think they'll object to having 3).

Openside: Will Connors, Richard Dunne
Blindside/No.8: Caelan Doris

SH: Hugh O'Sullivan, Patrick Patterson
OH: Conor Dean, Harry Byrne

CE: Conor O'Brien, Jimmy O'Brien, Gavin Mullin

Back 3: Hugo Keenan, Michael Silvester (Kennedy released for 7s/AIL).

Utility backs: Jack Kelly, Tommy O'Brien, Ciaran Frawley

Based on the fact that we're very well stocked at 10, they might push Hawkshaw into being a second-distributor fullback and add him in for 2019-20 after a year in the sub-academy. Where Carbery will presumably eventually specialise as a 10, Hawkshaw would do so as a 15. This is all speculation of course.

[mildlyinterested]

Would Doris really get promoted early even after his injury-disrupted season this year? (Especially given there are no other outstanding no.8/blindside candidates who've already left school).

Possible 22 for 2018-19 academy, heavily informed by your reports but also my own observations:

LP: Niall McEniff (decently big need for a loosehead, especially if Dooley leaves).
HK: Ronan Kelleher...the other guys don't seem good enough.
TP: Jack Aungier, Vakh Abdaladze

SR: Oisin Dowling, Jack Dunne, Cormac Daly (based on our needs and the fact that 18 yr old Dunne is 6'7"-6'8" I don't think they'll object to having 3).

Openside: Will Connors, Richard Dunne
Blindside/No.8: Caelan Doris

SH: Hugh O'Sullivan, Patrick Patterson
OH: Conor Dean, Harry Byrne

CE: Conor O'Brien, Jimmy O'Brien, Gavin Mullin

Back 3: Hugo Keenan, Michael Silvester (Kennedy released for 7s/AIL).

Utility backs: Jack Kelly, Tommy O'Brien, Ciaran Frawley

Based on the fact that we're very well stocked at 10, they might push Hawkshaw into being a second-distributor fullback and add him in for 2019-20 after a year in the sub-academy. Where Carbery will presumably eventually specialise as a 10, Hawkshaw would do so as a 15. This is all speculation of course.

Doris in demand, get him on longer dev deal to ward off connacht and others.

Hawkshaw also in demand so straight into academy to keep him.

[neiliog93]

Right, so to free up the extra space in the academy for Hawkshaw you would promote Doris early? That does make sense, especially with Jordi (and presumably Timmins) departing at the end of this season.

[arsebiscuits1]

Leinster's academy next season?

Graduating:
Oisin Heffernan(Terenure/Prop)
Jeremy Loughman(UCD/Prop)
Sean McNulty(UCD/Hooker)
Josh Murphy(UCD/Backrow)
Charlie Rock(Lansdowne/Scrumhalf)
Ian Fitzpatrick(Lansdowne/Wing)

Not the most promising bunch of Graduates.

Do we think any will get dev or senior deals?

4 looseheads of a decent age ahead of Loughman. 3 tightheads ahead of Heffernan with Vakh looking like an option

Sean McNulty sure will be cut loose if he hasn't been aleady.

Josh Murphy a promising prospect. Maybe better suited to lock?

Not sure Rock will cut it. Am I correct in saying he was overlooked for the academy first time around?

Fitzpatrick I don't know much about

[mildlyinterested]

Leinster's academy next season?

Graduating:
Oisin Heffernan(Terenure/Prop)
Jeremy Loughman(UCD/Prop)
Sean McNulty(UCD/Hooker)
Josh Murphy(UCD/Backrow)
Charlie Rock(Lansdowne/Scrumhalf)
Ian Fitzpatrick(Lansdowne/Wing)

Not the most promising bunch of Graduates.

Do we think any will get dev or senior deals?

4 looseheads of a decent age ahead of Loughman. 3 tightheads ahead of Heffernan with Vakh looking like an option

Sean McNulty sure will be cut loose if he hasn't been aleady.

Josh Murphy a promising prospect. Maybe better suited to lock?

Not sure Rock will cut it. Am I correct in saying he was overlooked for the academy first time around?

Fitzpatrick I don't know much about

id say only Murphy is sure of a deal..

[neiliog93]

Rock is 50-50, Murphy is certain, the rest are almost certain not to get dev. deals.

[mildlyinterested]

Rock is 50-50, Murphy is certain, the rest are almost certain not to get dev. deals.

i thought loughman would until this loan deal

[CiaranIrl]

Josh Murphy isn't tall enough for the row. He's great back up for Ruddock in the depth chart, as Doris will be down the line.

[mildlyinterested]

Josh Murphy isn't tall enough for the row. He's great back up for Ruddock in the depth chart, as Doris will be down the line.

murphy is same height as fardy and kearney.. too light tho

[A16]

Just out of curiosity, who would all of you rate more highly, Ross Byrne or Harry Byrne. The competition between the two should be interesting. I can’t remember there being this kind of situation, where two brothers are competing for the same position, unless you count Rob and Dave

[sunshiner1]

How would folks feel about doing a Munster and bringing in some highly rated Saffer youth? We're approaching danger levels in the Hooker position so getting in some young buck who could push for the number 2 jersey sooner rather than later might be a good thing.

[mildlyinterested]

How would folks feel about doing a Munster and bringing in some highly rated Saffer youth? We're approaching danger levels in the Hooker position so getting in some young buck who could push for the number 2 jersey sooner rather than later might be a good thing.

i'd have absolutely no interest in seeing it happen.. its a joke munster have been allowed do what they have done.. it could signal the green light to english or french clubs when it comes to irish schoolboys.

anyway leinster have an outstabding hooker in the academy in the form of ronan kelleher.

[Keith]

How would folks feel about doing a Munster and bringing in some highly rated Saffer youth? We're approaching danger levels in the Hooker position so getting in some young buck who could push for the number 2 jersey sooner rather than later might be a good thing.

i'd have absolutely no interest in seeing it happen.. its a joke munster have been allowed do what they have done.. it could signal the green light to english or french clubs when it comes to irish schoolboys.

anyway leinster have an outstabding hooker in the academy in the form of ronan kelleher.

The reaction to this signing by Munster has been a bit over the top. South Africans are desperate to get out of their homeland and have always integrated well into the provinces. They also lost Betts to Leicester and Don't have depth at TH. They really are blessed that Archer came good in the end.

[mildlyinterested]

How would folks feel about doing a Munster and bringing in some highly rated Saffer youth? We're approaching danger levels in the Hooker position so getting in some young buck who could push for the number 2 jersey sooner rather than later might be a good thing.

i'd have absolutely no interest in seeing it happen.. its a joke munster have been allowed do what they have done.. it could signal the green light to english or french clubs when it comes to irish schoolboys.

anyway leinster have an outstabding hooker in the academy in the form of ronan kelleher.

The reaction to this signing by Munster has been a bit over the top. South Africans are desperate to get out of their homeland and have always integrated well into the provinces. They also lost Betts to Leicester and Don't have depth at TH. They really are blessed that Archer came good in the end.

They've had 6 underage internationals at TH prop that are all currently under 22.

It's a disgrace that the IRFU have sanctioned this move.