Carrick's Diarmuid O'Connell selected for Connacht Rugby Academy
Rugby: Underage international joins up with Connacht Academy as Connacht Rugby announces 16 strong squad for 2025-2026 season
Carrick-on-Shannon’s Diarmuid O’Connell has taken another step in his rugby career after the former Carrick RFC player was named in the Connacht Rugby Academy for the 2025 - 2026 season.
The now Corinthians RFC clubman and Sligo Grammar School student was named in the squad by Academy Manager Eric Elwood with eight new players joining year one of the programme, making a total of 16 players.
Coming through the Connacht pathway system to take their place in the squad is Carrick-on Shannon’s Diarmaid O’Connell (Corinthians RFC / Sligo Grammar) and Galway duo Bobby Power (Galwegians RFC / The Jes) and Sean Walsh (Corinthians RFC / Coláiste Éinde), while a further five players have joined the province.
All four of last year’s Year 1 players - Billy Bohan, Tomás Farthing, Max Flynn and Éanna McCarthy - have moved up to Year 2.
This season’s four Year 3 representatives have all progressed from Year 2, minus Finn Treacy who signed a Professional contract earlier in the summer. They are Fiachna Barrett, Seán Naughton, James Nicholson and Matthew Victory.
CONNACHT RUGBY ACADEMY SQUAD 2025/26
Year 1
- Aaron O’Brien – Back Row
- Diarmaid O’Connell – Back Row
- Conor O’Shaughnessy – Out-Half
- Bobby Power – Back Row
- Daniel Ryan – Back Three
- David Walsh – Lock/Back Row
- Seán Walsh – Centre
- Mikey Yarr - Hooker
Year 2
- Billy Bohan – Loosehead Prop
- Tomás Farthing – Scrum-Half
- Max Flynn – Back Row
- Éanna McCarthy – Back Row
Year 3
- Fiachna Barrett – Tighthead Prop
- Seán Naughton – Out-Half
- James Nicholson – Back Three
- Matthew Victory - Hooker