Garda sources say two of the men were arrested during an intelligence-led operation in Dublin earlier this week
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22 Oct 2025
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22 Oct 2025
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Paidi Farrell
AN emerging rugby player from Offaly has taken another significant leap forward by being added to the Leinster Academy for the 2025-2026 season.
A former player with Tullamore Rugby Club, Paidi Farrell showed his potential when scoring great tries for Ireland in the recent World U20 Championships in Italy.
From Mountlucas, between Daingean and Edenderry, he went to school in St Mary's Secondary School in Edenderry, played underage football with Edenderry, featuring on Offaly underage squads and was an excellent athlete before concentrating on rugby. He plays with Old Wesley in the All-Ireland League.
The Academy is a crucial part of the Leinster rugby set up as it develops players for their senior squad. Farrell has represented Ireland and Leinster at underage level and he credits Conor Bates and Johnny Burns in Tullamore RFC, and the late, great Dave Fagan, a fellow Edenderry man, as being key people in his development.
The new Academy squad was announced this week by its manager Simon Broughan and Farrell and players who played in the World U20 Championships will have a few weeks off before returning to hard work.
Also included is Lee Fitzpatrick, who started his rugby career with Portarlington Rugby Club and went to Cistercian College in Roscrea before switching to Newbridge College. Having already represented Leinster and Ireland at Under-18 level, the Laois native was named in the Ireland Under-18 Schools squad that will tour South Africa next month for a series of games against South African and Georgian international teams.
SEE NEXT: “The Gift” that keeps giving for Offaly hurling club
The Academy also includes eight players in their second year and three in year three. Eight players have been promoted to senior contracts and that will be the target for Paidi Farrell and the other members.
The other new additions are: Tadgh Brophy, Kildare; Jack Deegan, Laois; Conor Fahy, Wexford; Todd Lawlor, Kildare; Ciaran Mangan, Kildare; Alex Mullan, Dublin; Mahon Ronan, Louth
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