Leinster Academy 2021-22

[mildlyinterested]

AIL back this weekend, keeping an eye out for who is released:

LH Prop
Marcus Hanan(21/Clane RFC/Old Belvedere) - inj
Temi Lasisi(19/Enniscorthy RFC/Lansdowne) - inj
Jack Boyle(18/St. Michaels/UCD) - inj
--
Ben Popplewell(Wexford RFC/Lansdowne) - bench for Lansdowne
Oisín Michel(Cill Dara RFC/Lansdowne)
George Hadden(Gorey RFC/Clontarf)

TH Prop
--
Mick McCormack(St. St. Marys/St. Marys)
Thomas Connolly(Galwegians/DUFC) - starting at 3 for DUFC.
Ben Griffin(Castleknock/Clontarf) - starting at 3 for Clontarf.
Rory McGuire (Blackrock College/UCD)
JJ Hession (St. Michaels/Lansdowne)

Hooker
John McKee(21/Campbell/Old Belvedere) - starting at 2 for DUFC.
Lee Barron(20/St. Michaels/DUFC) - inj
--
Howard Noonan (Greystones RFC-Temple Carrig/Old Wesley) - bench for Old Wesley.
Barry Gray (Carlow RFC/Clontarf)

Lock
Charlie Ryan(22/Blackrock/UCD) - inj
Joe McCarthy(20/Blackrock/DUFC) - inj
--
Mark Morrissey (Blackrock College/UCD)- inj
Conor O'Tighearnaigh (St Michael’s College/UCD)
Sean Walsh (Seapoint RFC/Lansdowne) - inj
Ruairi Clarke (Cill Dara RFC/Lansdowne FC) - starting at 4 for Lansdowne
Paul Deeny (Wexford RFC/Clontarf)

Lock-Blindside
Brian Deeny(21/Wexford RFC/Clontarf) - starting at 6 for Clontarf.
Alex Soroka(20/Belvedere/Clontarf) - inj
--
Stephen Woods (St. Michaels/DUFC)
Fionn McWey (Portloaise RFC-Roscrea/Old Belvedere)
Diarmuid Mangan (Newbridge/UCD) - u19

Backrow
Martin Moloney(21/Athy RFC/Clontarf) - starting at 7 for Clontarf.
Sean O'Brien(21/Blackrock/UCD)
Mark Hernan(21/St. Michaels/Lansdowne)
--
Mark Boyle (Gorey RFC/Lansdowne) - starting at 8 for Lansdowne
Donough Lawlor (Newbridge/Lansdowne) - inj
Luke Callinan (Castleknock/Lansdowne)
Dylan Ryan (St Michael’s/DUFC)
James Culhane (Blackrock)

Scrumhalf
Cormac Foley(21/St. Gerards/Lansdowne) - bench for Lansdowne
Ben Murphy(20/Pres Bray/Old Wesley) - inj
--
Conor Duggan(Castleknock/MU Barnhall) - starting at 9 for MU Barnhall
Oisin Devitt (Clongowes)
Michael Moloney (Blackrock)
Seanan Deveraux(St. Marys/UCD)

Outhalf
--
Tim Corkery(Kilkenny RFC/UCD) - started at 12 for UCD.
Charlie Tector(Kilkenny/Lansdowne) - inj
Sam Prendergast(Newbridge/Lansdowne)

Centre
Liam Turner(22/Blackrock/DUFC)
Jamie Osborne(19/Naas RFC/Naas)
--
Conor Gibney(Mullingar RFC/DUFC)
Ben Brownlee(Blackrock/UCD)
Daniel Hawkshaw(Belvedere/Clontarf)
David Dooley(Tullamore RFC/MU Barnhall) - bench for MU Barnhall

Back Three
Rob Russell(22/St. Michaels/DUFC)
Andrew Smith(21/St. Michaels/Clontarf) - inj
Niall Comerford(21/Blackrock/UCD)
Max O'Reilly(21/St. Gerards/DUFC) - inj
Chris Cosgrave(20/St. Michaels/UCD)
--
Fionn Gibbons(Castleknock/UCD)
Dylan O’Grady(Belvedere)
Aitzol Arenzana-King (Balbriggan RFC-CUS/Clontarf)
Callum O’Reilly(St Michael’s/DUFC)
Scott Milne(Tullamore RFC)
Shane Mallon(Longford RFC-Roscrea/UCD) - inj

[Spiral92]

https://www.irishrugby.ie/2021/10/01/ol ... with-naas/

McKee seems to have made an impact

[mildlyinterested]

U20 Prop Ben Popplewell

[mildlyinterested]

AIL back this weekend, keeping an eye out for who is released:

LH Prop
Marcus Hanan(21/Clane RFC/Old Belvedere) - inj
Temi Lasisi(19/Enniscorthy RFC/Lansdowne) - inj
Jack Boyle(18/St. Michaels/UCD) - inj
--
Ben Popplewell(Wexford RFC/Lansdowne) - started at 1 for Lansdowne
Oisín Michel(Cill Dara RFC/Lansdowne)
George Hadden(Gorey RFC/Clontarf)

TH Prop
--
Mick McCormack(St. St. Marys/St. Marys)
Thomas Connolly(Galwegians/DUFC) - starting at 3 for DUFC.
Ben Griffin(Castleknock/Clontarf) - bench for Clontarf
Rory McGuire (Blackrock College/UCD) - bench for UCD
JJ Hession (St. Michaels/Lansdowne)

Hooker
John McKee(21/Campbell/Old Belvedere) - started at 2.
Lee Barron(20/St. Michaels/DUFC) - inj
--
Howard Noonan (Greystones RFC-Temple Carrig/Old Wesley) - bench.
Barry Gray (Carlow RFC/Clontarf) - bench.

Lock
Charlie Ryan(22/Blackrock/UCD) - inj
Joe McCarthy(20/Blackrock/DUFC) - inj
--
Mark Morrissey (Blackrock College/UCD)
Conor O'Tighearnaigh (St Michael’s College)
Sean Walsh (Seapoint RFC/Lansdowne)
Ruairi Clarke (Cill Dara RFC/Lansdowne FC)
Paul Deeny (Wexford RFC/Clontarf)

Lock-Blindside
Brian Deeny(21/Wexford RFC/Clontarf) - stared at 6
Alex Soroka(20/Belvedere/Clontarf) - inj
--
Stephen Woods (St. Michaels)
Fionn McWey (Portloaise RFC-Roscrea)
Diarmuid Mangan (Newbridge/UCD) - started at 6.

Backrow
Martin Moloney(21/Athy RFC/Clontarf) - started at 7.
Sean O'Brien(21/Blackrock/UCD)
Mark Hernan(21/St. Michaels/Lansdowne) - bench
--
Mark Boyle (Gorey RFC/Lansdowne) - started at 8 for Lansdowne
Donough Lawlor (Newbridge)
Luke Callinan (Castleknock)
Dylan Ryan (St Michael’s/DUFC)
James Culhane (Blackrock)

Scrumhalf
Cormac Foley(21/St. Gerards/Lansdowne) - started at 9 for Lansdowne
Ben Murphy(20/Pres Bray/Old Wesley) - inj
--
Conor Duggan(Castleknock/MU Barnhall) - started at 9 for MU Barnhall
Oisin Devitt (Clongowes)
Michael Moloney (Blackrock)
Seanan Deveraux(St. Marys)

Outhalf
--
Tim Corkery(Kilkenny RFC/UCD)
Charlie Tector(Kilkenny/Lansdowne) - started at 10 for Lansdowne
Sam Prendergast(Newbridge)

Centre
Liam Turner(22/Blackrock/DUFC) - starting at 13
Jamie Osborne(19/Naas RFC/Naas) - seniors.
--
Conor Gibney(Mullingar RFC)
Ben Brownlee(Blackrock)
Daniel Hawkshaw(Belvedere)
David Dooley(Tullamore RFC/MU Barnhall) - started at 12.

Back Three
Rob Russell(22/St. Michaels/DUFC) - seniors.
Andrew Smith(21/St. Michaels/Clontarf) - inj
Niall Comerford(21/Blackrock/UCD - started at 15
Max O'Reilly(21/St. Gerards/DUFC) - inj
Chris Cosgrave(20/St. Michaels/UCD) - started at 13
--
Fionn Gibbons(Castleknock/UCD)
Dylan O’Grady(Belvedere)
Aitzol Arenzana-King (Balbriggan RFC-CUS/Clontarf) - bench
Callum O’Reilly(St Michael’s)
Scott Milne(Tullamore RFC)
Shane Mallon(Longford RFC-Roscrea/UCD)

[mildlyinterested]

Jackman

The trade was strong at the prestigious Goffs Orby Sale last week in Kill. The cream of the global industry’s buyers were there hoping to find the equine equivalent of the next David Clifford, Joe Canning or Johnny Sexton.

Yearling sales generally are intriguing because they are a bit like trying to find a diamond in the rough. The sales catalogue had 444 horses with an average price made of €109,000 and a top lot of €1.5m.

One of my best friends David Cox was one of the biggest consigners there with 40 yearlings for sale on behalf of breeders. He and his team run a high performance environment where each horse is meticulously prepared to look its best on the week of the sales. These horses are unbroken, however, so they are unproven.

The sales catalogue is released weeks before and buyers study it like a set of notes from a grind school the night before the Leaving Cert. Spotters visit and view the yearlings throughout the summer at their farms.

The ones that catch the eye will be checked over again at the sales and often a second and third opinion will be sought. The breeding, size, temperament, walk, athleticism and budget are all part of the decision-making process. The day you buy is the day you sell and one bad choice could be enough to wipe you out.

It’s a very similar talent identification process to soccer, basketball, tennis or rugby. The experts try and spot talent early and then bring them into a performance environment, which in rugby is the academy system.

It should be easier in rugby than with yearlings because the players are already exposed by the age of 18 and your scouts should have seen them play in competitive matches against the best players of their generation. The academy coaches, like the horse agents and trainers, will try and assess their skill set, predict how much they will grow physically, assess if they will have the temperament to perform under pressure, and if they are robust enough to avoid injuries and so on.

Every professional team will have a depth chart for each position. Leinster, for instance, can chart the strength in depth from Tadgh Furlong at number 3 all the way down to the best 16-year-old tighthead prop in the system.

A weakness in the depth chart in a certain position can create a higher demand for certain profiles from time to time but there is a lot to be said for trying to bring the best talent and then making a call on contracting when you see the finished article.

I think this is especially important in Ireland where our playing pool is far smaller than France and England — every potential gem needs to be cherished and polished.

When I was coaching in France and Wales, we gave contracts to players aged 17/18 because we were in competition with our rivals for the best talent in our area. There was a free market and you had to try and find talent in your area or outside of it.

Over the last few years the IRFU, who control the four academies centrally, seem to have decided to award academy contracts later, rather than in line with the rest of the world. I see why it makes sense for the provinces and the IRFU financially, but it is not ideal for the young men leaving school and entering the next stage of their life, whether that is further education or the workforce.

Population decrees that Leinster has the highest number of young players doing their Leaving Cert each June. Historically in Ireland the best schoolboys and youths players were given academy contracts at 18 and the rest would go into the clubs or university teams and either strive to get back in as a late developer or else compete at the highest level possible outside of the professional game.

Now, Leinster have what my father would call in the mart a “holding pen” which they call the sub academy, and some players can spend two years in this nursery before the academy staff make a decision on their future. Sub academy players are not paid but are expected to complete an intensive training programme.

Around 30 sub academy players train in Donnybrook while the contracted academy players are based with the senior players and coaches in the high performance facility at UCD.

Decisions on their futures are usually made around the time that the Irish Under 20s play the Six Nations so they are effectively ready to go as 20-year-olds who have been on strength and conditioning programmes since they were 15 or 16.

Academy contracts, typically, are for three years, so if you go in at 20 and you don’t become a first team starter early you will be awarded your first professional or senior contract at 23. Leinster actually awarded a 22-year-old a first year academy contract this summer who had been impressing in the All Ireland League with his club.

I love the fact that there is room for a late developer to come into the pro game but in my opinion they should get a senior contract at this stage in their lives. It’s already a short career and to start earning reasonable money at 25 isn’t going to create much of a nest egg. The average pro career now is only seven years so time is precious.

There is no guarantee an academy player will get a senior contract, nor should there be. Elite sport is ruthless — it’s survival of the fittest. However, my concern is by pushing that starting point to 20 years of age you run the risk of it not being just the survival of the fittest but the survival of the richest.

Many parents, especially those living outside of the capital city, struggle to pay for the accommodation costs of renting a room in Dublin and the ancillary costs like college registration fees, buses and trains.

It can be difficult for families that had budgeted for their son getting a part-time job to pay for college to then continue to have to fund them chasing their dream of becoming a professional rugby player.

I remember sitting down with the Dragons Academy staff in our shared offices in the Valleys of Gwent to look at a Dragons U18 match against the Blues not long after I started there. A 17-year-old Dragon who was not part of the academy ran the length of the pitch after a penalty kick had hit the post and fallen into the dead ball area.

I asked who this kid was and was told Rio Dyer, but I was also told to forget about him as he was working in a call centre and couldn’t commit to training. I arranged a meeting with the player and his mum. His job was to connect friends and families with inmates in prisons across the UK for phone calls. He had some funny stories to tell.

We found a little bit of budget internally and got the Welsh Sevens on board to boost it up and he took a big pay cut to come into the academy full-time, but he had enough to pay the rent and feed himself.

Rio is now is on a senior contract having played for Wales under 20s, has 15 senior appearances with the Dragons and many in Wales expect him to fulfil his dream of playing for his country’s senior team.

In the semi-final of the Leinster Senior Cup 2019/’20 season my old school Newbridge played a brilliant St Michael’s team and managed to sneak through in a high quality match. Three of that St Michael’s team are now in the Leinster academy. Lee Baron, Jack Boyle and Chris Cosgrave are names to watch out for in the coming years.

The St Michael’s captain that day was their No 8 Will Hickey, who is an outstanding player and leader. Will has signed an academy contract with the Ospreys and is highly thought of in Swansea.

But the player of the match that day was a lad called Lucas Berti Newman who, at 16 years of age, took the game by the scruff of the neck. He showed that day he is a player with has incredible skills and vision.

Lucas grew up in Chile but his father Seb had been a boarder in Newbridge College in 1996 and actually in the squad that lost to Leo Cullen’s Blackrock dream team in the SCT final that year. Seb wanted his two sons to have the opportunity to have an education in Ireland — in study and rugby — so he moved over with them when Lucas was 14 and Sebastian was 16.

In order that both boys could finish school at the same time Lucas skipped Transition Year and caught up with Seb. Lucas left school in June at 17, a year young, and was training with the Leinster U19s this summer when the prospect of at least two and probably three years in the holding pen sunk in. His dream is to become a professional rugby player so I organised a trial at the Bristol Bears and unsurprisingly to the majority of people who have seen him play Pat Lam was impressed and offered him a three-year contract which he signed. He will go to college over there too which is great but the commitment from Bristol to develop him increases his chances of living his dream.

With another young Leinster player, Karl Martin from Boyne RFC, having signed for the Montpellier academy over the summer, I wonder if other clubs have now spotted a weakness in our academy system and realise that some of our best talents can be snapped up. Will we lose out on the next Craig Casey or Jordan Larmour because of our conservative contracting system?

By the way, the top lot of the Orby sale in 2018 was a filly by the champion sire Galileo who was subsequently named Luck on Sunday. That horse was bought for €2.5m and has run four times collecting a measly £756 in prize money for its connections. Good and bad decisions are made every year but it’s simple if you don’t buy you don’t race. Anyone could see Garry Ringrose’s ability at 23, the art is in spotting it and backing the decision at 18.

[riocard911]

Birch for IRFU Performance Director!!!! (no-irony alert)

[LeinsterLeader]

Am I reading this wrong in saying he is bemoaning a loop-hole in the IRFU development system only to indicate that he was influential in a successful usage of that loop-hole, at least once.

His points are all very valid but if other clubs or provinces are willing to tie 17 and 18 year old's down to long contracts I don't know what we can do. It's very much a 'long game' so I suppose we'll have to see how it pans out

[joooooe]

Am I reading this wrong in saying he is bemoaning a loop-hole in the IRFU development system only to indicate that he was influential in a successful usage of that loop-hole, at least once.

Why shouldn't he? He is not, as far as I am aware, an employee of the IRFU (Leinster Branch or otherwise). One of his unofficial roles is as a talent spotter for his connections at other clubs.

It has been pointed out before that, while the Academy system has been brilliant (particularly for Leinster), it is also flawed. A tighthead or a scrum half may take longer to reach their peak, and what they need to reach that peak is games. In other positions, players can come through more quickly. There should be a variety of pathways to a senior contract and, in fairness, that has been recognised by Leinster's academy staff, who have recruited from youths, non-traditional rugby schools and the AIL as well as big rugby schools.

Jackman's point is that nearly all players in the past few years have been required to go through the pre-academy, which may not suit all players. That is the current flaw in the system. I fear it is seen as some sort of "fairness" principal and that Leinster are missing out on players (such as Newman) who are ready for the academy (or even a senior contract) now. I wonder, had this policy been in place 15 years ago, would Leinster have lost out on Luke Fitzgerald, for example.

What I do know is that the Leinter branch of the IRFU know more about young rugby player development than probably any other organisation in the world. So, if this is a flaw, they are (a) aware of it, and (b) doing something about it.

[LeinsterLeader]

Am I reading this wrong in saying he is bemoaning a loop-hole in the IRFU development system only to indicate that he was influential in a successful usage of that loop-hole, at least once.

Why shouldn't he? He is not, as far as I am aware, an employee of the IRFU (Leinster Branch or otherwise). One of his unofficial roles is as a talent spotter for his connections at other clubs.

It has been pointed out before that, while the Academy system has been brilliant (particularly for Leinster), it is also flawed. A tighthead or a scrum half may take longer to reach their peak, and what they need to reach that peak is games. In other positions, players can come through more quickly. There should be a variety of pathways to a senior contract and, in fairness, that has been recognised by Leinster's academy staff, who have recruited from youths, non-traditional rugby schools and the AIL as well as big rugby schools.

Jackman's point is that nearly all players in the past few years have been required to go through the pre-academy, which may not suit all players. That is the current flaw in the system. I fear it is seen as some sort of "fairness" principal and that Leinster are missing out on players (such as Newman) who are ready for the academy (or even a senior contract) now. I wonder, had this policy been in place 15 years ago, would Leinster have lost out on Luke Fitzgerald, for example.

What I do know is that the Leinter branch of the IRFU know more about young rugby player development than probably any other organisation in the world. So, if this is a flaw, they are (a) aware of it, and (b) doing something about it.

I never said he shouldn't ( I like Birch and he's doing his job so good luck to him), but no matter what way you look at it there is the tiniest hint of contradiction to be saying that it's not good that the IRFU are letting players go via this loophole while you are assisting them going through said loophole, No?

As I've already said his points are all valid and undoubtedly the system is flawed but if clubs are going to hand out big contracts to 17/18 year old's it's going to be hard to counteract that. Maybe not impossible but very hard and you would also imagine quite expensive.

[mildlyinterested]

Am I reading this wrong in saying he is bemoaning a loop-hole in the IRFU development system only to indicate that he was influential in a successful usage of that loop-hole, at least once.

Why shouldn't he? He is not, as far as I am aware, an employee of the IRFU (Leinster Branch or otherwise). One of his unofficial roles is as a talent spotter for his connections at other clubs.

It has been pointed out before that, while the Academy system has been brilliant (particularly for Leinster), it is also flawed. A tighthead or a scrum half may take longer to reach their peak, and what they need to reach that peak is games. In other positions, players can come through more quickly. There should be a variety of pathways to a senior contract and, in fairness, that has been recognised by Leinster's academy staff, who have recruited from youths, non-traditional rugby schools and the AIL as well as big rugby schools.

Jackman's point is that nearly all players in the past few years have been required to go through the pre-academy, which may not suit all players. That is the current flaw in the system. I fear it is seen as some sort of "fairness" principal and that Leinster are missing out on players (such as Newman) who are ready for the academy (or even a senior contract) now. I wonder, had this policy been in place 15 years ago, would Leinster have lost out on Luke Fitzgerald, for example.

What I do know is that the Leinter branch of the IRFU know more about young rugby player development than probably any other organisation in the world. So, if this is a flaw, they are (a) aware of it, and (b) doing something about it.

I never said he shouldn't ( I like Birch and he's doing his job so good luck to him), but no matter what way you look at it there is the tiniest hint of contradiction to be saying that it's not good that the IRFU are letting players go via this loophole while you are assisting them going through said loophole, No?

As I've already said his points are all valid and undoubtedly the system is flawed but if clubs are going to hand out big contracts to 17/18 year old's it's going to be hard to counteract that. Maybe not impossible but very hard and you would also imagine quite expensive.

all leinster had to do was offer players academy contracts.. which aren't expensive.

[LeinsterLeader]

all leinster had to do was offer players academy contracts.. which aren't expensive.

With all due respect MI, you have no way of knowing that and neither do I.

I mean look at the guy who just went to Connacht. Do you think if they had really wanted him, an academy contract here was going to turn his head over a chance (possibly his only chance) to go Pro. I doubt it very much. If we wanted to keep him we would have had to offer him at least the same or better then Connacht. We can't keep offering contacts to guys based on other clubs scouting system. You have to just rely on your own ang hope that you know best. You can't keep everybody even if occasionally it comes back to bite you in ass.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Sounds to me like nobody was after him which would indicate that he’s not the hot property that some make him out to be.

[ronk]

Am I reading this wrong in saying he is bemoaning a loop-hole in the IRFU development system only to indicate that he was influential in a successful usage of that loop-hole, at least once.

His points are all very valid but if other clubs or provinces are willing to tie 17 and 18 year old's down to long contracts I don't know what we can do. It's very much a 'long game' so I suppose we'll have to see how it pans out

Like many he has an agenda.

Whether Leinster can sustain the current status quo depends to what extent the other provinces are allowed to raid the sub academy entry and what extent young players are receptive to offers to move.

[mildlyinterested]

Sounds to me like nobody was after him which would indicate that he’s not the hot property that some make him out to be.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Sounds to me like nobody was after him which would indicate that he’s not the hot property that some make him out to be.

I'm not sure what's so funny, Jackman had to arrange a trial for him. It's not like the offers were flooding in.

Just because he's in a Hype column on one of your spreadsheets doesn't mean that actual coaches have him marked like that too.

[Morf]

all leinster had to do was offer players academy contracts.. which aren't expensive.

You think Nucifora would allow Leinster to have 2 or 3 times the academy players as other provinces?
They want to keep wages down - the sub-academy helps that and it helps politically that Leinster can only wield the benefit of greater player numbers so much with a limited academy intake.

[Ruckedtobits]

all leinster had to do was offer players academy contracts.. which aren't expensive.

You think Nucifora would allow Leinster to have 2 or 3 times the academy players as other provinces?
They want to keep wages down - the sub-academy helps that and it helps politically that Leinster can only wield the benefit of greater player numbers so much with a limited academy intake.

Nucifora oversees (and limits) Leinster Academy numbers. The use of the Sub-Academy is largely a proxy for ensuring that all candidates have a) a reasonable level of S&C and b) the strength of conviction to take the rough & smooth of professional sports life.

Players come from very different backgrounds of schools & family. Putting them through the Sub-Academy levels up (& down) the playing field and puts young men in an equally testing environment of discipline & development. Some thrive but others wilt. The combination of a Sub Academy programme with ongoing education / apprenticeship is not easy and requires the participants to show personal discipline, not just an advantaged background.

The major drawback identified is the handicap for players from outside the Greater Dublin area. The intention of developing Regional Centres of Excellence has been delayed by Covid and money. Until these centres are developed this handicap will remain.

As for Birch's viewpoint, I consider it disingenuous. Leinster can never take every potential player into the Academy, nor can they up the Contract for Academy players, which is IRFU funded. Accordingly, there is always a selection competition, sometimes with a focus on shortfalls in the Leinster depth chart but, more often, in assessing the potential development capacity of players in different positions - for which there is neither an easy formula or proven algorithms.

[erskinechilders]

I don't think anyone has an issue with the sub academy. It's a clever idea to help young lads integrate into pro-sports from school. The issue is, in my opinion, that no one should be asked to do more than one year there ( i.e, first year college ). The majority of third level education in Leinster is in Dublin, with the exception of IT Carlow & NUI Maynooth. Maynooth is commutable and IT Carlow was due to get a high performance centre of it's own. One year in the sub academy to see the mental strengths and weaknesses of players and then make a decision.

Anything more than that creates a financial strain on the player and his family. If they set the sub-academy to a one year limit I think it would solve a lot of the issues Birch is complaining about here.

[mildlyinterested]

Mark Hernan went off injured for Lansdowne at the weekend.

[ormond lad]

I don't think anyone has an issue with the sub academy. It's a clever idea to help young lads integrate into pro-sports from school. The issue is, in my opinion, that no one should be asked to do more than one year there ( i.e, first year college ). The majority of third level education in Leinster is in Dublin, with the exception of IT Carlow & NUI Maynooth. Maynooth is commutable and IT Carlow was due to get a high performance centre of it's own. One year in the sub academy to see the mental strengths and weaknesses of players and then make a decision.

Anything more than that creates a financial strain on the player and his family. If they set the sub-academy to a one year limit I think it would solve a lot of the issues Birch is complaining about here.

Ideally no body would do more than a year there but that isnt possible. For obvious reasons, injury or simply someone comes through youths/schools from year below who deserves a full spot more. financial strain for many of the players isnt really the case now? many will have attended fee paying schools etc and its not like a year like this would cause much of an issue now would it?