Connacht Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to announce the appointment of Ambrose Conboy to the role of Elite Player Development Officer with the province.
Following the promotion of Jimmy Duffy to Connacht Forwards’ Coach this season, Galway-born Conboy, who was Head Coach of the Connacht under-18’s last season, will take up the Academy position.
Conboy’s background includes captaining Galwegians RFC from 2003 to 2006 as well as coaching Our Ladies Boys Club RFC for a four-year stint that included reaching the All Ireland qualifiers in 2014. Prior to this, he was Head Coach of the Connacht Juniors in 2012, successfully retaining the Junior Inter-Provincial Championship. The Salthill man most recently held the role of Rugby Master and teacher at St Joseph’s College, “The Bish”, Secondary School in Galway.
Over the last two years he has worked with National Scrum Coach Greg Feek, as part of the IRFU Elite Scrummaging Programme and he recently spent time in New Zealand at both the Otago Highlanders and Auckland Blues observing coaches such as Jamie Joseph, Tony Brown, John Kirwan and Graham Henry.
In his new role at Connacht, Ambrose will work with Academy Manager Nigel Carolan and EPDO Mossy Lawler with whom he will also coach the Connacht Under-20’s side.
Within the Academy and Sub Academy system, he will be primarily responsible for the development of the young forwards.
Commenting from the Sportsground where he joined the team this week, Ambrose said:
“I am delighted to be joining the Connacht Academy set up where there is a fantastic culture and top class structures in place for player development on and off the pitch.
I have worked with many of these young players in the past so I’m really excited to continue overseeing their progress to an elite level.”
Connacht Academy Staff
Nigel Carolan Academy Manager
Mossy Lawler Elite Player Development Officer
Ambrose Conboy Elite Player Development Officer
Andrew Murphy Lead Strength & Conditioning
Rachel Wyer Physiotherapist
Jim Herring Performance Analyst
Micheál Devane Sub-Academy S&C Coach
Marcus Shortall Performance Nutritionist
Aidan O’Flynn Personal Development