Cobh Pirates RFC Representatives on the Munster Rugby Cadets

On behalf of the players, members and committees at all levels within the club would like to wish continued support for season 2011/12 to our club representatives on the Munster Rugby Cadets Programme. Munster Rugby are anxious to identify young talent in the clubs and under the guidance of their Rugby Development Office, these players undertake a dedicated programme to enhance their development as a rugby player with specialised coaching and mentors.

Stephen Hickey – Backrow – Cobh Pirates u17s
Born: 31/12/1996
School: Colaiste Muire
Parents: Eric and Sandra Hickey, Ballynoe Farm, Newtown

This programme is a continual assessment of a player’s skill levels, rugby development and conditioning over a duration of three years, with the ultimate goal of becoming a representative player on the Munster u19/20 Inter-Provincial Squads. Munster Rugby runs 4 regional training centres and periodically combines all players in a seeding and refinement of the training squads based on the players progress.

On average Cobh Pirates RFC submits a pool of players (aged 14 years old ) with potential to succeed on the programme every season. While the goal of the club would be to maximise the number of players retained after every successive cut, we are still in a position to recommend players again over the 3 year period and hope is never lost for those who have been  dropped from the programme and those who may have missed the entry at 14 years old.

Anthony Devlin-Buckley – Front Row – Cobh Pirates u17s
Born: 29/11/1996
School: Cobh Community School
Parents: Joan and Bernard Buckley, Belmont Place, Cobh

We would like to commend the players, who are now no longer part of the programme, for their outstanding efforts over the season. The door is never closed and things come around again. We are very grateful to the parents and families for supporting the guys, transporting them to/from the training centres and their continued support for juvenile rugby in Cobh.

At all times the club’s primary focus is on developing ALL players at all age grades within the club we thrive to operate inclusive coaching for all our players. We see these Munster Rugby programmes as ancillary to the club goal of producing players for the club, but, none-the-less, they are very much part of rugby and the structure of provincial acknowledgement. We must engage these programmes as recognition of a player’s ability & potential and thus, we whole heartily support every player in reaching their full potential.

Shane Cullimore – Centre – Cobh Pirates u17s
Born: 11/02/1996
School: Colaiste Muire
Parents: Robert and Amanda Cullimore, Norwood Grove, Cobh

We are delighted that the following players have been retained for the 2nd year on the “year born: 1996” entries, and reports from the Coaching Office at Munster Rugby, they are making excellent progress on their rugby development & conditioning. The guys train twice a month at their centres and have weekly personal strength and condition schedules to follow.