IRFU Rewards for Development Programme

His local club, along with his school Rockwell and the UCC and Cork Constitution clubs, have played a special role in his rugby career and his family’s involvement with that club has remained steadfast throughout.

This season the south Tipperary club were rewarded for their role in the development of the 22 time capped Munster back row thanks to the IRFU Rewards for Development scheme for the development of professional players.  The scheme provides financial reward to each of the clubs and schools involved in the development of a player and is recognition of the important role they played in a career of a young man who back in 1991 was dreaming of emulating his hurling heroes and had very little interest in rugby.

“My two brothers, Kevin and Ed, wanted to go and my father asked me if I would like to come, I said I would but just to watch.  When I got there I decided to put on the boots and have a go and from there I was hooked.

“At the time Tipperary were All Ireland champions and I think hurling was the only sport on most of our minds.  The Bonners and Nicky English were from the region and were everyone’s heroes.   When I started we would have had only about 12 or 13 players on the under 10s, it wasn’t always easy getting new players.”

While Cashel was a Hurling town, rugby still had a strong tradition in the community.  The club had been in the town where Leamy was born since 1919 and his father and brother had both worn the red jersey with pride.  Even in times when the game was less popular there were plenty of enthusiastic volunteers to take the reins.

“My first coaches where Peter Silke and Seanie Ryan.  They were there the first day I took part in training and they are still heavily involved in the club today.  Peter is club president this season and Seanie is still coaching.”

Leamy went on to play on what was a pretty strong under 14 squad with the club before former Garryowen and Munster star Ned Tierney advised him to consider changing schools to Rockwell College.  Tierney, a neighbour and close family friend, felt that attending the renowned Munster rugby playing school would help is career.

“That was my last year playing with Cashel but I still go to games as much as I can.   My brother Kevin still plays for the first team and Ed played with them up until he moved to Cork Con.   I certainly hope to be able to get back involved once my professional career is over and help out in what ever way I can.”

Leamy is one of four professional rugby players from the town currently playing in the Magners League.  John Fogarty and his brother Denis play for Connacht and Munster respectively while Brendan O’Connor also playing for Connacht.  The town has become a breeding ground for top rugby talent and with back row James Ryan currently involved with Irish schools there is no sign of the talent pool drying up.

“I have been down at the club on Saturday mornings recently and the number of kids training from six up to 18 is incredible.  The under 10s have three or four teams these days.  A lot of people are working very hard to keep things going and it’s paying off at underage and senior level.”

The club have reached new heights in recent season’s qualifying for the AIB Cup last season where they were defeated by Division 1 side Galwegians in the first round and challenging for top honours in the Junior league.  Over 400 people attended their annual dinner dance this season, they have come a long way in a short period of time.

“I think the project is important so that clubs get some recognition for the work being done, it’s not just about the money. Having said that clubs all over Ireland are constantly trying to raise finances, through lotteries, raffles and fund raising nights, so a little extra to help buy balls, water bottles, jerseys is always welcome and well deserved.”

The link between Cashel RFC and the Leamy clan from Dualla just outside the town will last a life time and for the next few year’s while the oldest of the family continues to take the international rugby world by storm, there will be that extra bit of attention paid to the club which set him on his way 15 year’s ago.