Introducing the u20.5 Coaching Team for 2021/22
It is with great excitement we can announce our new coaching ticket for the coming 2021/22 season, here are the coaches and their plans for the Young Munster RFC under 20.5 Rugby this coming season:
Name: Stephen Carey (Head Coach)
Background in coaching/playing with the club: I played Senior rugby for Young Munster RFC from 2003 to 2009. I was apart of the Senior Team in 2007/08 who were promoted to Division 1. Returning to be Head Coach for the u20.5 in 2019 season, this will be my 3rd season coaching with the club.
What do you look forward to in the coming season: I really enjoy the club’s ethos and all the people involved within the club. I’m looking forward to playing competitive rugby games again, coaching the players, working with the other coaches, and having a successful season.
Main Goals as a coach: To develop young players into the Young Munster Senior 1A squad. Also to make the u20.5 experience as enjoyable and memorable as possible for the players.
How do you feel about the Coaching Ticket for the coming season: I’m very excited. I’ve worked with Richie last season and he was very good, he has come up from the YM U18.5 coaching team so he has good connections with the players coming through. Shane is a current player with the Senior Team and he will bring a lot of knowledge to the backline. Alan is the Senior Team Captain, his knowledge in Strength and Conditioning is second to none. He will also help out with Team matters like Defence and Lineouts. I’ve had Paul O ‘Byrne and Christy Cosgrave helping me from day one, they are both great Club men and I appreciate them greatly. It’s a great coaching setup and i’m looking forward to getting started.
Name: Richie McNamara (Forwards coach)
Background in coaching/playing: I have been within Young Munster RFC for the past 20+ years playing all my underage and adult rugby here. I was a part of the YM u21s squad who in 2012/13 went unbeaten in winning the AIL South Western Conference and we won u21s North Munster Cup. I’ve been involved in the u20.5 setup for the past 2 seasons.
What do you look forward to for the coming season: To have the lads back out on to the pitch. Lads have had two seasons massively curtailed so it will be great to see them back out enjoying rugby again. Also having supporters back in Tom Clifford Park who give us a massive boost on match days.
Main Goals as a coach: To ensure a solid pathway for players from underage all the way to senior level. 20s was some of my most enjoyable rugby with some fantastic coaches and players. Also to create an atmosphere that players will thrive to become the best they can while enjoying their rugby.
Name: Shane O’Brien ( Backs Coach)
Background in coaching/playing: I played underage with the club and senior rugby in the season 2013/14. I returned to the club in 2020 playing senior rugby and coaching with the U20s.
Goals for the season: To develop a good team culture that will give us every chance of success this season.
Goals as a coach: Developing players that will go onto be important players/people in the club long after their year/years playing 20s rugby finishes.
Name: Alan Kennedy (S&C Coach/ Assistant Coach)
Background in coaching/playing: I have been a Strength and Conditioning coach for the last 5 years across an array of sports, I have a Bachelor of Science in S&C amongst numerous other qualifications steered towards high performance. I’m currently working with many elite athletes and teams in which every area of sport is covered from rehabilitation to peak performance on the field.
I’m currently the Young Munster Senior Club Captain in which the team competes in the top division of the AlL and I have Captained the Ireland Club XV in which the team and I won the Dalriada Cup in a successful series in Scotland.
What do you look forward to for the coming season: I’m looking forward to coaching great athletes, instilling the winning mentality into this new crop of players and overall having a successful season.
Goals as a coach: To improve the physical capabilities of each player so they can improve and perform on the pitch to their full potential.
The u20.5 will train twice per week on Monday and Wednesdays. Monday’s training will be for a Gym session and then Skills on the Astro pitch. Wednesday’s will be a Team training session on the pitch to work on Team plays and strategies.
If you are interested in joining us, contact Stephen on 0872372606.
Pictured above from Left to right: Richie McNamara ( Forwards Coach), Shane O’Brien ( Backs Coach), Declan Deegan ( President), Stephen Carey (Head Coach), Trish Montgomery ( Vice President), Alan Kennedy (S&C Coach / Assistant Coach). Missing from the photo are Paul o Byrne (Team Manager) and Christy Cosgrave (Covid Officer and Kitman).