The Connacht Juniors coaching ticket for the 2025/26 season is now confirmed. Paddy Pearson takes the reigns as Head Coach this year after a successful few seasons with Sligo Rugby and as Assistant Coach of the Connacht Juniors and Ross O'Boyle (Sligo) steps into the Team Manager role.
The 2025/26 Juniors squad will be announced at a future date.
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Name: Paddy Pearson
Role: Head Coach
Club: Sligo Rugby Club
Bio: Current Coach with Sligo Rugby Club, formerly played both Senior & Junior with Sligo.
Captain of the Sligo team which got promoted into the AIL from Junior. Played Connacht Juniors in 2010 and memorably won the Interpro series in 2011 which was Connacht’s first at the time. Assistant coach with Connacht Juniors 2018 & 2025.
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Name: Ross O’Boyle
Role: Team Manager
Club: Sligo Rugby Club
Bio: Formerly played both Senior & Junior with Sligo Rugby Club. Have been managing the Sligo Senior Team for the last 5 Years. Most memorable Junior moments were winning the J1B League and Plate with Sligo. Last involvement with Connacht was Schools U18s in 2004.
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Name: John Kane
Role: Assistant Manager
Club: Sligo Rugby Club
Bio: Played Junior with Sligo, 3 times President of Sligo Rugby, presiding over promotion to AIL from Junior in 2011. Spent 6 years as team manager with Sligo AIL squad. Won a Connacht Junior Cup winners medal in 1999. First Time in Involvement with Connacht.
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Name: Simon Gillespie
Role: Backs Coach
Club: Dunmore RFC
Bio: Formerly played MU Barnhall RFC and currently coaching Dunmore RFC as backs coach. Previously coached Corinthians AIL Team. Last involvement with Connacht was the PTS programme.
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Name: Jarleth Naughton
Role: Defence and Contact Coach
Club: Galwegians RFC
Bio: Formerly played both Senior & Junior with Galwegians RFC and currently coaching Galwegians RFC as defence and scrum coach. Last involvement with Connacht was the PTS programme and previously was Head Coach of the Connacht Women.
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Name: Martin Cummins
Role: Set Piece Coach
Club: Tullamore / Dunmore Rugby Club
Bio: Former head coach of Dunmore RFC, currently forward coach for Tullamore RFC. Previous Connacht involvement as forwards coach for Connacht under 17s 2022 and Captain of Connacht Juniors 2025.
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Name: Simon Coulter
Role: S&C Coach
Club: Sligo Rugby Club
Bio: Formerly played both senior & junior with Sligo Rugby Club, including when they got promoted to AILand won a Junior Cup. In my last role, I was the Head of S & C with the Brasil National Rugby Team, which finished runner-up in Rugby World Cup Qualifier. S&C for the Chile World Cup 15’s and 7’s teams. Also did the pre-season preparation block with Uruguay pre World Cup 2019. Previously played for Connacht Juniors and Connacht Under 19s.
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Name: Joe Smyth
Role: Physio
Club: Buccaneers Rugby Club
Bio: Started with Buccaneers in 2021, winning AIL to get promoted to Division 1B. Overseeing physio for all players/teams in the club, including the J1 and U20 teams. Working with Connacht Pathways and was part of last year's Connacht Juniors.
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IRFU JUNIOR MEN’S INTERPROVINCIAL SERIES FIXTURES
Saturday April 25th 2026
IRFU Junior Men’s Interprovincial Series Round 1
Connacht v Leinster
Ballyhaunis RFC k/o TBC
Saturday May 2nd 2026
IRFU Junior Men’s Interprovincial Series Round 2
Connacht v Ulster
Enniskillen RFC k/o TBC
Saturday May 9th 2026
IRFU Junior Men’s Interprovincial Series Round 3
Leinster v Munster
Castleisland RFC k/o TBC
