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GOODBODY AND RUGBY PLAYERS IRELAND ANNOUNCE NEW PARTNERSHIP

Rugby Players Ireland Chairman Rob Kearney, Executive Board Member Eoin McKeon and Irish international James Ryan joined Goodbody today to announce their new partnership with Rugby Players Ireland – the representative body for professional rugby players in Ireland.

As part of the new partnership, Goodbody – Ireland’s longest established stockbroking firm – is sponsoring the ‘Goodbody Rugby Players Ireland Personal Development Bursary’, which is aiding the development and progression of 12 players’ off-field careers and academic studies. The firm’s market-leading team will also work with Rugby Players Ireland to provide career, business development, retirement transition and financial guidance to their members.

Speaking at the launch of the new partnership, Goodbody Managing Director, Roy Barrett, said:

“For many of today’s players, the road to professional rugby begins at a young age. It can be incredibly difficult to juggle demanding training schedules alongside academic studies or career training. Similarly, moving on from professional rugby to a new potential career can be daunting.

“Through our new partnership with Rugby Players Ireland and our sponsorship of the Goodbody Rugby Players Ireland Personal Development Bursary, we are directly supporting players who are going through these transitions and helping them on the journey to their post-rugby careers. We want to make a lasting contribution to their lives and believe this kind of educational support can have a major impact over the long term.”

Also speaking at the launch of the new partnership, CEO of Rugby Players Ireland, Simon Keogh, said:

“Our mission at Rugby Players Ireland is to act in the best interests of our members and source and provide the opportunities they need to be the best they can be – both as professional athletes and successful individuals. This new partnership with Goodbody symbolises everything we strive to achieve for our members and their sponsorship of the bursary programme is life-changing for the successful recipients. We are delighted to welcome Goodbody on board and we look forward to maximising the potential of our partnership.” 

The 12 Goodbody Rugby Players Ireland Personal Development Bursary recipients were selected by a board of trustees, based on submissions from Rugby Players Ireland members. Sitting on the board of trustees was, Professor Roger Downer President Emeritus at UL, Denis Hurley, Rugby Players Ireland Operations Manager, Sarah Moriarty, Goodbody, and Finbarr Griffin, Goodbody. The 12 recipients are made up of four players from the womens programme, four academy players and four senior players.

The recipients of the Goodbody Rugby Players Ireland Bursary are:

1. Ciara Griffin, Munster, Ireland Women’s
2. Claire Boles, Ulster, Ireland Women’s 7s
3. Claire Keohane, Ireland Women’s 7s
4. Dorothy Wall, Ireland Women’s 7s
5. Dylan Tierney, Connacht, Academy
6. Eoin McKeon, Connacht, Senior 
7. Hugh O’Sullivan, Leinster, Academy
8. Tom Daly, Leinster, Senior
9. Alex McHenry, Munster, Academy
10. Darren Sweetnam, Munster, Senior
11. Azur Allison, Ulster, Academy
12. John Andrew, Ulster, Senior