Any word on the Academy?

[Setanta]

Olding and Warwick could still be development?

[Bayern]

Thats seems about right, no Michael Lagan though which is odd

Michael Lagan is in there. So is Sam Arnold (who played for our 20's on Friday)

That list is just guess work, but as you say probably not far off the mark.

Lagan and Arnold could be in there alright. Although I thought Arnold is in the sub-academy with Kieran Joyce.

[Bayern]

If that list is correct, then this is when they joined the academy.

Kyle McCall, Hooker 10/11
Jonny Murphy, Hooker 11/12
Alan O'Connor, Lock 12/13
John Andrews, Hooker 13/14
John Donnan, Lock 13/14
Dave Shanahan, Scrumhalf 13/14
Craig Trenier, Prop 14/15
Alex Thompson, Lock 14/15
Frankie Taggart, Backrow 14/15
Lorcan Dow, Backrow 14/15
Josh Atkinson, Backrow 14/15
Sean O'Hagan, Outhalf 14/15
Jacob Stockdale, Centre/Wing 14/15
Jack Owens, Centre/Wing 14/15
David Busby, Fullback 14/15

I assume Kyle McCall has been there so long because he changed positions.

Of last year's academy, the following are listed on the senior team website so I think have development deals:
Conor Joyce
Stuart McCluskey
James Simpson
Rory Scholes
Andrew Warwick

That leaves Jake Caulfield unaccounted from last year - has he been let go?

Caulfield away a long time ago.

I had heard that Kyle McCall had got a development contract but maybe not ?

Had also heard that Conor Joyce's younger brother . Kieran, would be joining the Ulster setup at some level; Academy or sub Acadmey.

Ross Adair ??

Paddy Jackson's older brother Paul seemed to be making great strides last season and was being tipped for a place the Academy or a Dev Contract. Any news on that front ?

Ross Adair might be in the academy setup, waiting to see on that one.
Players with development deals were given profiles on the website, McCall wasn't but I know he is still involved. So assume he is still in academy or his profile will be made later?
Paul probably too old for an academy spot and no profile.

[Bayern]

Olding and Warwick could still be development?

yeah. Olding got one last year and Warwick this year.

[Bayern]

still hopeful Russell Blair after a season healthy can push into the academy in the future.. still only 20 but missed most of last season with a leg break.. fingers crossed

Blair back healthy.. wonder if he is involved with Ulster at all..

[mikerob]

There seems to have been a leak at UR and the program for tonights game lists the academy and even has a photo.

They are:
Craig Trenier, Sam Arnold, Josh Atkinson, Frank Taggart, John Donnan, Alex Thompson, Alan O'Connor, Lorcan Dow, John Andrew, Jack Owens, Michael Lagan, Paul Jackson, Connor Young, David Busby, David Shanahan, Jonny Murphy, Sean O'Hagan, Jacob Stockdale

I'll do a list of ins, outs and stays from last year after the game.

[breakdown]

No Conor McKee is a strange one, also strange that Conor Young is away to uni in Scotland but is in the academy

[Bayern]

No Conor McKee is a strange one, also strange that Conor Young is away to uni in Scotland but is in the academy

Don't think McKee is a strange one, still could make it in next year.
Conor Young looks like an excellent prospect, I'd assume they will try to keep him here or something will be worked out.
Jonny Murphy still in the academy is an odd one for me.

[Nightsoil]

Wouldn't be the first time they'd have academy lads abroad out of Ulster. Think Andrew was listed as academy during his year in France, and that both Leckie and Dom Gallagher a while back were in the academy for a bit while in Glasgow/Dublin respectively.

You'd like to think we'd do everything possible to keep academy lads nearby though.

[Dan Dare]

Nice to see the academy photo in last nights programme. What was that jersey they were wearing though? Yuk.

[mikerob]

So based upon the list of players in the program, the list of players in the academy and the season they entered the academy are:

Jonny Murphy (11/12)
Alan O'Connor (12/13)
John Andrew (13/14)
John Donnan (13/14)
David Shanahan (13/14)
Sam Arnold (14/15)
Josh Atkinson (14/15)
David Busby (14/15)
Lorcan Dow (14/15)
Paul Jackson (14/15)
Michael Lagan (14/15)
Sean O'Hagan (14/15)
Jack Owens (14/15)
Jacob Stockdale (14/15)
Frank Taggart (14/15)
Alex Thompson (14/15)
Craig Trenier (14/15)
Connor Young (14/15)

So from last season's academy:
- 5 players stay on
- 5 players get development contracts (Conor Joyce, James Simpson, Stuart McCloskey, Rory Scholes, Andrew Warwick)
- 1 players let go (Jake Caulfield)

Anyone know the status of Kyle McCall? He isn't listed on the senior team squad and wasn't on the academy list in the program but was a replacement in the pre-season games.

[dublane]

Conor young was due to go to Durham, but may now stay and study here at qub

[dublane]

Also, I imagine mckee's non inclusion could be because he is studying medicine and his timetable wouldnt allow him to do both.

[Columbo]

I came across this pic, tweeted by Hughes Insurance:



18 players this year, I can identify Frankie Taggart, John Donnan, Alan O'Connor, Lorcan Dow, John Andrew, Dave Shanahan, Johnny Murphy, Sean O'Hagan - anyone help out with the others?

Interesting there's no sign of Kyle McCall, and he's not listed on the main squad, has he been cut?

PS is it just me or is it a bit ridiculous that you have to do this to try to figure out the academy squad, over a month into the season???

[Columbo]

hmm I don't know why the Image link isn't working

https://www.facebook.com/18752407129148 ... 17/?type=1

that's the URL