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Connacht Academy squad announced for 2011-2012


By
July 18 2011

The Connacht Academy have announced their squad for the season 2011-12


The Connacht Rugby Academy is a program that identifies and develops indigenous players with potential to play for Connacht and Ireland. Players such as Ronan Loughney, Andrew Browne, David Nolan, Dermot Murphy and Eoin Griffin have graduated through this system into the professional ranks in recent years. Eoin McKeon has made the step up this year.

  
ConorFinn300
This year’s inductees, sees the inclusion of Ireland U20 players Dave Heffernan, Kieran Marmion and Mick Kearney. Dave Heffernan from Ballina, went to school in Blackrock College, played with Connacht at U19 and U20 before getting the call-up to the Ireland U20 v France in the 6 Nations in 2011. Mick Kearney, a lock from Raheny in Dublin, played in all U20 6 Nations and Junior World Cup games. Kieran Marmion, from Brecon in Wales, who’s grandfather is from Loughrea, played with the Connacht A team v Enisei STM of Russia in April, before getting drafted into the Ireland U20 Squad for the Junior World Cup in Italy in June 2011.

ShaneLayden300

Also contracted to the Academy are Ireland U19 players Jack Carty, an outhalf from Athlone playing for Buccaneers and Tadhg Leader, an Outhalf/Centre from Castlegar in Galway who went to school in the Bish. Shane Layden, from Carrick on Shannon and Conor Finn from Aughrim were both on the Cistercian College Roscrea team that lost out to Clongowes in the Leinster Schools Cup in March of this year.

The Connacht Academy 2011-12


YEAR 3
Shane Conneely        Backrow
Denis Buckley            Prop
Mark Dolan                Scrumhalf

YEAR 2
Aaron Conneely       Backrow
Danny Qualter         Lock
Callum Boland          Back Three

YEAR 1

Jack Carty              Outhalf
Tadhg Leader        Outhalf/Centre
Mick Kearney          Lock
Kieran Marmion      Scrumhalf
David Heffernan     Backrow
Shane Layden        Back Three
Conor Finn             Centre/Back Three

Pictured (above) playing for Cistercian College Roscrea in the Leinster Schools Cup Final  - Conor Finn

(below) Shane Layden  - playing for Cistercian College Roscrea in the Leinster Senior League Final this year

(C) www.inpho.ie

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Connacht Academy squad announced for 2011-2012
Discussion started by Connacht Rugby Supporters (IP Logged), 18/07/2011 12:35
Connacht Rugby Supporters
Connacht Rugby Supporters
18/07/2011 12:35
What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
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conjob
conjob
18/07/2011 13:53
Surprised that mcsharry isn't included. Thought he looked pretty decent.

packie
packie
18/07/2011 15:08
he's on a development contract as far as I know

conjob
conjob
18/07/2011 15:31
Ah that makes sense Packie.

It's a good quality academy, nice to see 2 homegrown 10s and great to see a local prop.

Buckley looks very talented, hope the bulk is there to match the ball skills.

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