Kilkenny College past pupil makes the grade for Leinster Rugby Academy
Stephen Smyth among the ten players ready to join their new Leinster teammates in UCD today
A young past pupil of Kilkenny College has been called up to the Leinster Rugby Academy for the coming season.
Stephen Smyth will join fellow Kilkenny College alumnus Charlie Tector in the Academy. The local school has congratulated the former student on Instagram.
The Leinster Rugby Academy for 2024/25 was confirmed yesterday by Academy Manager, Simon Broughton. While the second- and third-year Academy players have already been back for their first block of pre-season training, the final group of year one players join up with their new teammates today in UCD.
The players named, and their Energia AIL registered clubs are; Oliver Coffey (Blackrock College RFC), Billy Corrigan (Old Wesley RFC), Caspar Gabriel (Terenure College RFC), Hugo McLaughlin (Lansdowne FC), Ruben Moloney (UCD RFC), Alan Spicer (UCD RFC), Andrew Sparrow (UCD RFC), Niall Smyth (Clontarf FC), Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC) and Alex Usanov (Clontarf FC).
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Speaking to leinsterrugby.ie, Broughton said: "The majority of these players have had a very busy few months and it was important after their performances with the Ireland u-20s in South Africa, that they had some time away. They’ve had that and we are all looking forward to welcoming them into UCD later this week.
"Each player’s journey to this point is unique and it’s important that we acknowledge those that have played a significant role in their development.
"To the parents and families, we are truly grateful for your unwavering support and care of the athletes. Thank you to all the coaches and teachers who create quality environments where players can learn to thrive, and finally we would like to recognise the efforts of our provincial and national age-grade staff that lead and deliver vibrant programmes across the 12 counties of Leinster".
Year One – Secondary School / Underage Club:
Oliver Coffey – Blackrock College / Blackrock College RFC
Billy Corrigan – Presentation College, Bray / Old Wesley RFC
Caspar Gabriel – Terenure College / Rugby Union Donau Wien, Vienna, Austria
Hugo McLaughlin – Gonzaga College / Old Belvedere RFC
Ruben Moloney – Blackrock College / Blackrock College RFC
Alan Spicer – Belvedere College / Malahide RFC
Andrew Sparrow – St Mary’s College / Terenure College RFC
Niall Smyth – Blackrock College / *did not play underage rugby in New York
Stephen Smyth – Kilkenny College / Co Carlow FC
Alex Usanov – Belvedere College / Malahide RFC
Year Two:
Hugh Cooney
Fintan Gunne
Gus McCarthy
Henry McErlean
Liam Molony
Andrew Osborne
Conor O’Tighearnaigh
Year Three:
Ben Brownlee
Aitzol King
Diarmuid Mangan
Rory McGuire
Charlie Tector