Blade And Masterson Join Connacht Academy
Connacht have announce the recruitment of two new players to the province’s Academy – scrum half Caolin Blade and back rower Eoghan Masterson.
Connacht Academy manager Nigel Carolan has bolstered his Academy ranks to 20 players with the signing of Caolin Blade and Eoghan Masterson.
Scrum half Blade was involved with Ireland Under-19s this year, playing against both England and France, and has also represented his country at Under-18 Clubs level.
The 19-year-old from Monivea, who attended Presentation College Athenry, comes from a family of scrum halves. His father Pat wore the number 9 jersey for Monivea RFC and his brother Darren currently plays scrum half with the junior club in Galway.
Masterson joins the westerners’ Academy as a back rower. Hailing from Portlaoise, where he attended the local CBS, the 20-year-old lined ou for Ireland Under-20s in their 2013 Six Nations game against Scotland.
While his mother is from Westport, County Mayo, it is his Scottish father that enabled Masterson to also represent the Scotland Under-20s in last summer’s IRB Junior World Championship.
Commenting on the latest recruits, Nigel Carolan said: “I’m delighted to officially integrate the two lads into our Academy programme. Both players have earned this promotion through their hard work and effort.
“Eoghan and Caolin have played for the Eagles already and they really impressed me with their performances and attitude.
“They have a really good knowledge of the game and are both fantastic leaders on the field in their own right. I believe they have huge potential in the professional game.”
2013/14 CONNACHT ACADEMY LIST:
YEAR 3 –
Jack Carty (Out-half)
Conor Finn (Centre)
Shane Layden (Back-three)
Tadhg Leader (Centre)
YEAR 2 –
Finlay Bealham (Loosehead prop)
Ultan Dillane (Lock)
Darragh Leader (Back-three)
Steve Macauley (Back-three)
Peter Reilly (Tighthead prop)
Marcus Walsh (Scrum half)
YEAR 1 –
Caolin Blade (Scrum half)
James Connolly (Back rower)
Conor Kindregan (Lock)
Eoghan Masterson (Back rower)
Saba Meunargia (Tighthead prop)
Rory Moloney (Back rower)
Sean O’Brien (Back rower/Lock)
David Panter (Back-three)
Rory Parata (Centre)
Jacob Walshe (Loosehead prop)