It has been an exciting few years for Donegal native, Joe Dunleavy, who is bidding to become the first-ever professional rugby player from Ireland's most northerly county.
But despite the prospect of this historic accolade, he has his feet firmly on the ground and is enjoying day-to-day life in the Abbey Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy…
“It’s strange to hear that to be honest,” says the powerful back row forward. “I don’t consider myself to be a trailblazer. I just see myself as someone who wants to go far in Ulster Rugby and if my ambition and what I have achieved so far motivates or inspires other young players in Donegal, then great. There are a lot of good players in the North West - young guys are setting a good standard at U18 and U19 level, which is great to see.”
The 20-year-old was back on familiar turf a few weeks ago, when Ulster Rugby hosted an open training session at Dave Gallaher Park in Letterkenny, where Dunleavy was first introduced to rugby.
“It was exciting to get back to Letterkenny with the whole squad. There was a big hype around the open day and it was great to get back on the pitch where I played week in, week out. There was a great turn out, and lots of young kids watching us. It reminded me of myself years ago watching the Ulster team and dreaming of being in their position. I loved getting back there.”
From mini and youth rugby at Letterkenny to All Ireland League experience at City of Derry and Malone, Joe is now thriving in the Ulster Academy setup.
“The Academy has played a huge role in my development,” explains Dunleavy. “It has taken me from training once or twice a week and having a game on a Saturday to training pretty much full-time, having my nutrition looked after, strength and conditioning sessions planned, and games analysed, which has been key to improving my performance. I’ve seen a major boost in my game since joining the Academy last year and I’m very grateful to be given the opportunity to do that again this year. At the same time, I will always be grateful to the coaches in Letterkenny because without them I would never be in this position.
With Ulster’s Academy talent spending an increased amount of time training with the Province’s senior squad, Dunleavy is enjoying learning from top class international back row’s such as Iain Henderson, Chris Henry and Marcell Coetzee.
“It’s great to have the Academy training alongside the seniors, it ensures we up our game to meet the high standard expected of the group throughout pre-season. The senior guys offer us advice and help us with our game which is invaluable.
“It’s great to see a bond developing between the seniors and the guys in the Academy. I think that’s really helpful because with the nature of the game someone in the senior squad could get injured at any time and it’s an Academy player who has the opportunity to step up and show what they can do.
“It’s important we are all comfortable playing together - the better the bond, the more depth the squad has, the stronger we are and hopefully the more successful we are!”
But despite the prospect of this historic accolade, he has his feet firmly on the ground and is enjoying day-to-day life in the Abbey Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy…
“It’s strange to hear that to be honest,” says the powerful back row forward. “I don’t consider myself to be a trailblazer. I just see myself as someone who wants to go far in Ulster Rugby and if my ambition and what I have achieved so far motivates or inspires other young players in Donegal, then great. There are a lot of good players in the North West - young guys are setting a good standard at U18 and U19 level, which is great to see.”
The 20-year-old was back on familiar turf a few weeks ago, when Ulster Rugby hosted an open training session at Dave Gallaher Park in Letterkenny, where Dunleavy was first introduced to rugby.
“It was exciting to get back to Letterkenny with the whole squad. There was a big hype around the open day and it was great to get back on the pitch where I played week in, week out. There was a great turn out, and lots of young kids watching us. It reminded me of myself years ago watching the Ulster team and dreaming of being in their position. I loved getting back there.”
From mini and youth rugby at Letterkenny to All Ireland League experience at City of Derry and Malone, Joe is now thriving in the Ulster Academy setup.
“The Academy has played a huge role in my development,” explains Dunleavy. “It has taken me from training once or twice a week and having a game on a Saturday to training pretty much full-time, having my nutrition looked after, strength and conditioning sessions planned, and games analysed, which has been key to improving my performance. I’ve seen a major boost in my game since joining the Academy last year and I’m very grateful to be given the opportunity to do that again this year. At the same time, I will always be grateful to the coaches in Letterkenny because without them I would never be in this position.
With Ulster’s Academy talent spending an increased amount of time training with the Province’s senior squad, Dunleavy is enjoying learning from top class international back row’s such as Iain Henderson, Chris Henry and Marcell Coetzee.
“It’s great to have the Academy training alongside the seniors, it ensures we up our game to meet the high standard expected of the group throughout pre-season. The senior guys offer us advice and help us with our game which is invaluable.
“It’s great to see a bond developing between the seniors and the guys in the Academy. I think that’s really helpful because with the nature of the game someone in the senior squad could get injured at any time and it’s an Academy player who has the opportunity to step up and show what they can do.
“It’s important we are all comfortable playing together - the better the bond, the more depth the squad has, the stronger we are and hopefully the more successful we are!”