Monkstown To Set Up Under-21 Academy

Monkstown FC, as part of a five-year strategy, are creating an Under-21 Rugby Academy for the 2009/10 season and are open to all new recruits.

Based in the heart of Sandymount, Monkstown celebrated its 125-year nnniversary last season and the club are prioritising the underage level to bring the club back to competitive AIB League status.

The five-year plan is already evident with floodlighting for two pitches currently under construction and a fully equipped gym already in place.

Kevin West, the recent Terenure College coach, has been recruited to manage the club’s Under-21 structure and will be working closely with director of rugby James Ferris and assisted by manager Dave Bradshaw and backs coach Jono Sheahan.

International players Geordan Murphy, Frankie Sheahan and Lewis Moody will all be running coaching clinics for specialist positions and set-piece play over the season.

There will also be a big emphasis on the social side with an Under-21 Blitz tournament outside of Dublin in November and a trip overseas towards the latter part of the season to play an academy equivalent in either England or France.

Players in Leinster have the option to switch clubs up until Christmas so this is an added enticement for them to turn up for a couple of sessions and see if they enjoy it.

Any player interested in joining the club can visit www.monkstownfc.ie or contact James Ferris on 087-9353402 / jamestferris@gmail.com.

Monkstown will be hosting an open evening in the coming weeks to elaborate on the progressive plans for the academy and all new players are welcome to attend.

Full details will be posted on the Monkstown FC website.