Any word on the Academy?

[HammerTime]

I think the average length in position of a CEO is 10 years. So Johnny Petrie will probably be looking to move on in the next 4 years. Any massive boost to underage rugby would take 10 years to see any benefits.(if at all) He will be long gone to why give your successor the glory. It's getting harder to spend money on imports due to IRFU restrictions ... and seems to be the reason we're getting rid of money in the stadium with the 3g pitch and supposed filling in of the corners being looked at. Ffs Start splashing the cash at underage level.

[ljsulster]

To put in perspective, results at underage level however nice, aren’t the be all and end all.
Take the u19s for example, they will probably not win many this year but by my reckoning have at least 1 guaranteed future academy, a probable academy and a few potential academy players- that’s what’s most important

[Bayern]

To put in perspective, results at underage level however nice, aren’t the be all and end all.
Take the u19s for example, they will probably not win many this year but by my reckoning have at least 1 guaranteed future academy, a probable academy and a few potential academy players- that’s what’s most important

every age grade side should have a future academy players in it.. the fact that theres only one obvious candidate isnt great IMO.

who are these players IYO?

Ulster U19 Men Squad
Alex Place Royal Belfast Academical Institution
Alexander Brennan Campbell College Belfast
Archie Johnson Royal School Armagh
Ben Neely Coleraine RFC
Billy Allen Rainey Endowed School
Callum Bradley Dromore High School
Callum Mustoe Ballymena Academy
Clark Logan Coleraine Grammar School
Daniel Moore Royal Belfast Academical Institution
Finn Fehnert Royal School Armagh
Harry Mckeown Sullivan Upper School
Jacob Edwards Royal Belfast Academical Institution
James Hillman Royal Belfast Academical Institution
Jamie Jackson Portadown College
JF Burns Coleraine RFC
Jonathan Scott Dromore High School
Jordan McAuley Coleraine Grammar School
Josh Watterson Royal School Armagh
Joshua Hanna Wallace High School
Livai Naga Dromore High school
Lucas Armstrong Royal School Armagh
Matthew Mcquiston Royal School Armagh
Max Mccrabbe Coleraine Grammar School
Oliver Scott Belfast Royal Academy
Oliver Smyth Belfast Royal Academy
Peter Bird Lurgan College
Reece Williamson Ballymena Academy
Reuben Gibson Royal School Dungannon
Robert Rankin Foyle College
Rory Fulton Sullivan Upper School
Ryan Connolly Down High School
Ryan Kidd Methodist College Belfast
Ryan McNeill Wesley College
Sean McKay Ballymena Academy
Tom McAllister Ballyclare High School
Will Alexander Campbell College Belfast

[Tap+Go]

Be good to hear ljs thoughts but I’d have thought something along the lines of:

Clark Logan (scrum half), Tom McAllister (prop), Jamie Jackson (back row) (injury recovery permitted - did knee in interpros last years missing 9mths & then reinjured at start of summer & out for another spell), Jonny Scott (centre).

[ljsulster]

Jamie jackson is absolute quality, gutted to hear about his injury- he was my guaranteed academy but Logan will also get in likely

[Bayern]

thanks for the insight.

[Bayern]

Ulster U19s to face Connacht, Saturday 19 August, 3pm, The Sportsground
(15-9) Sean McKay (Ballymena Ac), James Hillman (RBAI), Tim Deering (Skerries RFC), Jonny Scott (Dromore HS), Rory Fulton (Sullivan US), Jordan McAuley (Coleraine GS), Clark Logan (Coleraine GS),

(1-8) Joshua Hanna (Wallace HS), Callum Mustoe (Ballymena Ac), Tom McAllister (C) (Ballyclare HS), Alex Brennan (CCB), Daniel Moore (RBAI), Ryan Connolly (Down HS), Finn Fehnert (RS Armagh), Ryan Kidd (MCB).

Replacements: Will Alexander (CCB), Ryan McNeil (Wesley College), Matthew McQuiston (BRA), Billy Allen (Rainey Endowed), Livai Naga (Dromore HS), Olliver Smyth (BRA), Harry McKeown (Sullivan US), Ben Neely (Coleraine RFC).

[Bayern]

Ulster U18 Clubs to face Connacht, Saturday 19 August, 1pm, The Sportsground
(15-9) James Orr (Ballymena RFC), Ryan McDowell (Larne Grammar / Larne RFC), Tom Bell (Regent House / Ards RFC), Cameron Cummings (Royal School Dungannon / City of Armagh RFC), Joel Barron (Friends School / Dromore RFC), Sam McElroy (Dromore High / Banbridge RFC), Connor McVicker (Belfast Royal Academy / Academy RFC),

(1-8) Justin Mark (Cambridge House / Ballymena RFC), Aaron Caldwell (Belfast Royal Academy / Academy RFC), Josh Dobbin (Cambridge House / Ballymena RFC), Oliver Hughes (Dalriada / Coleraine RFC), Rossa Bell (Rainey Endowed / Rainey Old Boys RFC), Noah Bell (C) (Banbridge Academy / Banbridge RFC), Bobby Newell (Portadown College / Portadown RFC), Ryan Hanna (Banbridge Academy / Dromore RFC).

Replacements: Killian Brolly (Limavady Grammar / Limavady RFC), Tom McGilloway (Strabane RFC), Tom Pitts (Rainey Endowed / Rainey Old Boys RFC), Dylan Fox (Malone RFC), Harry McIlwaine (Omagh Academy / Omagh Accies RFC), Danny Guy (Portadown College / Portadown RFC), Owen O’Kane (Rainey Endowed / Rainey Old Boys RFC), Ethan Spratt (Regent House / Ards RFC), Zak Holmes (Dungannon RFC).

[nonplussed]

interesting to note that there's a number of lads in that team who are 15 or just turned 16 this summer and just about to enter 5th year at school.

[solidarity]

interesting to note that there's a number of lads in that team who are 15 or just turned 16 this summer and just about to enter 5th year at school.

Does thit mean that these guys are pretty special or that the older lads in their positions aren't really up to much?

[nonplussed]

Two I believe have huge potential, 1 moreso than the other. Be interesting to see if any have to move school after GCSEs

[ljsulster]

Two I believe have huge potential, 1 moreso than the other. Be interesting to see if any have to move school after GCSEs

If Cameron Cummings is one of your high potential players- He’s away to Royal School Armagh

[justinr73]

Five quid at Gibson Park at 7.30 on Friday night.

Would have gone but I’m going out for my tea.

What a bloody miserable night for a game of rugby.

My tea was somewhat disappointing too, save for an excellently cooked bit of monkfish.

[ljsulster]

The development game was better than I thought it would be considering the conditions. The ail lads nous and physicality showed in the end but our young lads will be better for the experience. From an Ulster pov Lorcan mcloughlin was the best player on the park imo- ready for senior opportunities.
Josh Stevens was impressive also and looks a goodun. Humphreys jr steadied the backs when he came on with some great kicks and a varied passing game.
Henry Walker looks very impressive physically especially considering he’s 2005

[HammerTime]

Our great hope for underage level U19’s lost to Connacht. Jesus wept. A Clean sweep of defeats for all the underage teams looking likely. Petrie/Cunningham out.