As followers of Nenagh Ormond RFC may be aware from recent social media updates the club is planning on fielding at u20.5 level in the coming season for the first time in a number of seasons. Last Friday evening the coaching team for the group was announced and a look at the calibre of those involved shows a real statement of intent on the part of the club to make this team successful this year. This age group has been identified as a key level in terms of player development and retention to build on the excellent work that has been ongoing over the last number of seasons at mini and underage level. With last season’s U18.5 side having enjoyed one of the most successful seasons in terms of silverware that the club has experienced at that level since perhaps the famous U18 All Ireland winning team of 2000 it is now vital that every effort is made to retain these players in the Nenagh Ormond colours and facilitate the ambitions of those players who wish to develop and eventually line out at senior level in the Energia AIL

The coaching group will be headed up by Senior stalwart Rob Buckley. Rob brings a wealth of senior playing experience to the role and a firm knowledge of what it takes to make it to the top level in club rugby. He will be assisted by this year’s vice captain and former club captain Kevin O Flaherty who will take on responsibility for coaching the forwards. Kevin is a product of our own underage system and a key player at senior level for the club for well over a decade at this point. Assisting as backs coach will be David Corcoran. A brother of club head coach Derek, David also brings a wealth of playing experience to the role. A very versatile player, David lined out at senior level for Nenagh for a number of seasons, mainly in the no. 9 shirt but often in various other roles across the back line too so he will have plenty of knowledge to impart to players right across the division. Along with his brother Derek he also spent a number of seasons playing at the top level of the All Ireland League with Young Munster RFC in Limerick and will know exactly what it takes for young players to make it to the top level.

The coaching team will be supported on the management side by Ger Ryan, Mike McMahon and Aaron Hayes. Players at this level will also have access to the club’s Summer S&C programme which is starting in June under the guidance of Club S&C coach Colm Skehan and which will give the players an excellent fitness base on which to build for the season and the rigours of rugby at this level.

All players born from 1/7/2003 to 30/06/2005 are eligible for this age grade. We invite all players who are interested, whether current, former or new players, to contact us through our social media channels for more details or alternatively by calling Rob Buckley on 087 873313573. We are excited to see U20.5 rugby kicking off at the club once more and look forward to seeing the talented young players of the past few seasons kick on to the next level in the red and white of Nenagh Ormond RFC.