The Connacht Academy has produced another crop of professional players with the promotion of hooker Dave Heffernan and second row Danny Qualter to the senior squad.
Dave Heffernan joined the Connacht Academy in 2011 and after two years under the guidance of Nigel Carolan, he will now progress to the senior set up on a development contract. Ballina-born Heffernan went to school in Blackrock College before playing with Connacht at U19 and U20 level. He then went on to represent the Ireland U20s, playing against France in the 2011 U20 RBS 6 Nations.
Heffernan, who plays his club rugby with Buccaneers, has featured predominantly for the Connacht Eagles this season. His first senior cap came last year when, at aged 21, he was named to start against the Scarlets.
While the Mayo native started his rugby career as a back rower, he has, this season, begun the transformation into hooker. He started in the number two jersey just last week in the interpro 'A' fixture between the Connacht Eagles and the Ulster Ravens.
Assistant Coach Dan McFarland said:
"Half way through this season, we started training with Dave at hooker. While it's early days, he has shown great progress and had a fantastic game against Ulster last week.
"He is an excellent athlete and a very physical player. I'm looking forward to working closely with him next season."
Danny Qualter has been with the Connacht Academy for three years and now advances to a development contract with the club. The Athlone-born lock has represented Ireland at U18, Youth Schools, U19, and has played 15 times for the Ireland Under-20s.
This season he made his debut for the senior Connacht team coming off the bench against Edinburgh at home in the Sportsground. His performance earned him a further two senior appearances in the Heineken Cup games, both home and away, against French side Biarritz.
Dan McFarland said:
"Danny has shown huge potential at underage level. He is a very intelligent rugby player with excellent skills. He did very well for us when we needed him during the year and it's fantastic to have him as an option in the second row."
Connacht Rugby CEO Tom Sears said:
"We are delighted that Dave and Danny have graduated from the Academy through to the senior squad. It's testament to their ability and hard work but also that of our Academy coaches and staff who are doing an outstanding job producing home grown players of real quality.
"This epitomises what the Grassroots to Green Shirts campaign is all about and there are plenty more young players in our system who have the potential to follow the same pathway and go on to represent Connacht and Ireland in the future."
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