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The Codyre name is synonymous with Galway and rugby in the Galway area for the last number of years. Diarmuid has been around the scene for a long time, having been involved playing and coaching with various teams and now as University of Galway Rugby Development Officer with Connacht where he is influencing the next generation.
In this role, Diarmuid works closely with the University of Galway – a strategic partnership which allows for increased funding for grassroots rugby in the county. In this role, Diarmuid focuses on a number of key pillars of rugby participation, including working directly with National & Secondary Schools, Women in Rugby, Diverse communities, people with a disability and adult rugby.
Name and Role: Diarmuid Codyre
Rugby Development Officer for Galway City (Until end of July)
Rugby Development Officer for University of Galway (From early August)
How long have you been in the role? Galway City RDO – Since April 2024
What area of Connacht do you work with (club/schools)? Primary Schools: Scoil Sheamais Naofa, Gaelscoil Dara, Scoil Iognaid, Radharc na Mara, Bushypark NS, Knocknacarra Educate Together NS, Scoil Fhursa, Merlin Woods and Brierhill NS
Secondary Schools: Galway Community College, ColaÌiste EÌinde, ColaÌiste Iognaid, ColaÌiste Na Coiribe, The Bish, Calasanctius College and Merlin College
Clubs: Galwegians RFC, Galway Bay RFC and University of Galway RFC
Development Squads: U16 Regional Development Squad and Provincial Talent Squad
What does a week look like for you in the Summer and then in season?
- In-season:
- Daytime sessions in primary & secondary schools in Galway City. I host blitzes at various stages throughout the season for these schools with the assistance of CRDOs.
- Evening sessions in clubs in Galway City; mostly Galwegians this season.
- Evening sessions with RDS & PTS weekly. These squads play games and train during school breaks.
- I spend time on certain days each week to plan for sessions/games/programmes I am involved in that week.
- In the summer:
- Head coach of the Connacht U18s. They train 3 days per week in ATU. These days generally start at 9AM and finish at 3:30-4PM. I spend the days off-training planning for the upcoming sessions. This involves a lot of training reviews, session planning as well as preparing various presentations for the players.
- U16 RDS Lead. This team trains once per week and will have 2 blitzes throughout the summer. This role also involves planning on the days we aren’t training.
Favourite Moment or Event? One that sticks out is working in Gaelscoil Dara NS and coaching rugby in Irish. This is a fully Irish-speaking school and all sports delivered there get to be delivered “as Gaeilge”. It was very satisfying seeing them attend two primary school tag rugby blitzes and communicating in Irish.
What do you love about being an RDO? I really enjoy the mixture of coaching development squads such as the PTS & RDS and on the same day introducing rugby to 3rd class children. Both groups require me to be completely different as a coach and I think this helps me become a better coach.
Why are RDOs important? A lot of the work done as an RDO is done in areas that may not traditionally have a strong rugby culture. This means we are often influencing people's early involvements in rugby. The hope is that we can provide a good first/early impression on the game for them.
