MAX DEEGAN HAS been awarded a senior professional contract by Leinster while the province have also announced their academy panel for the 2017/18 season.
Deegan, who made three appearances for Leo Cullen’s side last year, becomes the eighth player to be promoted from the academy this summer following Joey Carbery, Andrew Porter, Peader Timmins and former St Michael’s College team-mates Ross Byrne, Nick McCarthy, Rory O’Loughlin and James Ryan.
Eight new players will enter Year One of the academy from 1 July, including five of the Ireland U20s squad that competed at the Junior World Championship in Georgia.
Oisin Dowling, Caelan Doris, Gavin Mullin, Ronan Kelleher and Ciaran Frawley have all been recruited by the eastern province, while Jack Aungier (St Fintan’s High School) and Hugh O’Sullivan (Belvedere College) make up the first year roster.
Meanwhile, David O’Connor and Jack Power have been released from their contracts, with the latter joining the Munster academy.
“This is a hugely exciting time in the lives of these young professionals,” Smyth said after announcing the 2017/18 intake.
“Some of them are just after competing in a World Rugby Championship with the Ireland U20s which is a huge honour and they are all now looking forward to pre-season with Leinster up in UCD.
“They are all a credit to their schools, their clubs, their families and we very much look forward to welcoming them to UCD in July and to seeing where the journey takes us all. I would also like to give credit to the staff in the Leinster Sub-Academy and at the Academy who have played a massive part in the journey until now.
“Finally I would like to wish the eight Academy graduates the very best of luck as they embark on their professional rugby careers and wish David and Jack every success for the future. Both players are talented individuals and have been great young men to work with and I have no doubt that they will find success elsewhere.”
Leinster academy roster 2017/18
Year Four:
Ian Fitzpatrick
Year Three:
Oisin Heffernan
Jeremy Loughman
Sean McNulty
Josh Murphy
Charlie Rock
Year Two:
Will Connors
Hugo Keenan
Jack Kelly
Terry Kennedy
Jordan Larmour
Conor O’Brien
Jimmy O’Brien
Year One:
Jack Aungier
Oisín Dowling
Caelan Doris
Ciaran Frawley
Ronan Kelleher
Gavin Mullin
Tommy O’Brien
Hugh O’Sullivan
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