DkIT/Leinster Rugby Future Stars unveiled

The DkIT/Leinster Rugby Futurs Stars pictured with Leinster players Dominic Ryan, Bryan Byrne and Dave Kearney

The second annual DkIT/Leinster Rugby Future Stars Awards took place in Dundalk Institute of Technology on Wednesday, March 22nd.

The awards acknowledge the emerging rugby talent at U19 schools level in the local area.

Forty-five players were nominated based on their recent performances with the 15 on the Future Star team selected by a combination of voting in The Argus and Drogheda Independent newspapers and a committee vote.

Colm Finnegan, the IRFU Rugby Programmes Officer, was MC for the evening and he began by discussing his pathway from a student in DkIT to his current role with the IRFU.

Derek Crilly, Sports and Societies Officer in DkIT, congratulated all 45 nominees and also discussed the progression of DkIT in recent years, referencing the new DKIT Sport facility and Sports Scholarship programme.

The specially designed DkIT/Leinster Rugby Future Stars jersey, designed and sponsored by CX+Sport

Sports Scholarship student Tiernan Gonnelly also spoke about his experience to date in DkIT. He highlighted the quality of his course and also discussed the supports he has received as a sports scholarship student. He stated that the High-Performance Unit in DKIT Sport has helped him develop his strength for adult rugby.

Billy Phelan, Leinster Rugby Community Rugby Officer spoke about the growth of these awards with almost twice as many people attending this year’s event compared with last year.

He stated that the talent in the competition was huge and hoped that many players would go on to compete at a higher level. Billy thanked the schools and the club coaches who are involved with all the teams.

The players were presented with their specially designed CX+Sport Future Stars Jerseys by Leinster players Dominic Ryan, Bryan Byrne and local Irish international, Dave Kearney.

DkIT/Leinster Rugby Future Stars unveiled

The DkIT/Leinster Rugby Future Stars 2017

Gavin McLaughlin

Dundalk Sport