Latest news with #AcademyPlayeroftheYear
Irish Examiner
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Devine, Treacy and West sign first professional contracts with Connacht
Connacht Rugby announce that John Devine, Finn Treacy and Harry West have signed their first professional contracts with the province ahead of the 2025/26 season. Exclusively announced during the Connacht Rugby Awards on Saturday night, the trio have come up through the Academy pathway system and now move into the pro team setup. Devine will join his brother Matthew as the latest pair of homegrown brothers in the Connacht professional ranks, has excelled for both Corinthians and the Connacht Eagles at inside centre. West came through the club system at Ballina RFC, started out at fly-half before transitioning towardsd full-back. Treacy, winner of Academy Player of the Year, has been drafted from Year two of the Academy after becoming a regular member of the senior matchday squad for the second half of this season. He has made eight appearances to date -starting seven - and has scored five tries to date. The trio have experience at Ireland U20s level. In 2023 Devine started all 10 games for Ireland in the U20s Six Nations and World Championships while West featured in five games as well as the previous U20s Summer Series. In 2024 Treacy made nine appearances across the Six Nations and World Championships. Connacht Academy manager Eric Elwood said 'Today is a proud day for John, Finn and Harry, as well as their families and respective clubs and schools. All three men have worked tremendously hard to get to where they are, and I know they have what is required to take the next step in their careers. "I want to thank everyone involved in their rugby development at their clubs and schools, who helped them on the start of their journey. I also want to acknowledge the coaches and wider Academy staff for the support provided to all our Academy and Pathway players in the season just gone. "Our integration model with the Professional team has provided our up-and-coming players with increased exposure to an elite playing environment, and we will continue to give Academy players the best opportunity possible to grow and develop.' 'Today is a proud day for John, Finn and Harry, as well as their families and respective clubs and schools. All three men have worked tremendously hard to get to where they are, and I know they have what is required to take the next step in their careers. I want to thank everyone involved in their rugby development at their clubs and schools, who helped them on the start of their journey. I also want to acknowledge the coaches and wider Academy staff for the support provided to all our Academy and Pathway players in the season just gone. Our integration model with the Professional team has provided our up-and-coming players with increased exposure to an elite playing environment, and we will continue to give Academy players the best opportunity possible to grow and develop.'
Daily Record
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Daizen Maeda scoops Celtic PPOTY gong as surprise scorer lands award for strike of the season
It's awards season at the Hoops with a number of big winners on the night in the club's in house ceremony Celtic have one again been the dominant force in Scotland having already bagged the league title and Premier Sports Cup. The Scottish Cup and another domestic Treble could follow in a matter of weeks with Aberdeen standing in the way of Brendan Rodgers and his troops when they go head to head at Hampden. As a team, they've dominated and at the Player of the Year bash, one man did the exact same as he scooped his own hat-trick of awards. It will come as no surprise that Daizen Maeda scooped a host of awards to cap of what has been a stunning season so far - with three league games and the end of season showpiece to come to add to his incredible numbers. In 48 games across all competitions he's netted 33 goals and provided 12 assists. Nicolas Kuhn has also had a season to remember and got off to a flying start this season. His form dried up but he was back with two goals against Dundee United to take his own record to 20 goals and 14 assists in 47 outings. That is some return on the park but was it enough for a personal accolade at the club bash? Record Sport lists all the award winners as they are announced. Academy Player of the Year - Kyle Ure A campaign to remember with impressive performances both on home soil and in Europe. A taste of the UEFA Youth League with Celtic including seven appearances and one goal against the likes of Dortmund, Atalanta, Leipzig and Salzburg. Second place finish in the Lowland League behind champions East Kilbride with just four losses in 34 games. Five goals in 31 appearances for the youngster who scoops the top award. Women's Goal of the Season - It was a Champions League season to remember at Celtic for both the men and women's teams. And for Shannon McGregor, her strike against FC Gintra is one she won't forget in a hurry as she cut in and curled home from the angle of the box in superb fashion. The Hoops would go on to reach the Champions League proper and face the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid on the biggest stage. Men's Goal of the Season - Cameron Carter-Vickers (vs Kilmarnock) A key man ever since his arrival at Celtic and once again proven himself a standout in Brendan Rodgers' treble chasers. More known for his work at the other end of the park but an incredible strike against Kilmarnock has won him goal of the season. After collecting a pass he drove into an attacking position before unleashing an unstoppable effort into the top corner. Men's Players' Player of the Year - Daizen Maeda Hardly a surprise this one. Every team-mate is always full of praise and compliments for his effort and graft on and off the ball. His goal contribution and assists have been off the scale in an incredible season. Deserved recognition from his Celtic colleagues - but with three league games and the Scottish Cup Final to come he will be desperate for another winners medal and a few more goals on his tally. Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Reuters
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
CF Montreal acquire Olger Escobar's priority rights
April 24 - CF Montreal acquired midfielder Olger Escobar's homegrown priority rights from the New England Revolution on Thursday. The Revs receive $125,000 in 2025 general allocation money and up to an additional $50,000 if certain conditions are met. New England also retained a percentage of the Massachusetts native's future sell-on rights. Escobar, 18, is signed with Montreal through the 2026 season with option years from 2027-29. "We are pleased to welcome Olger to our club," said Montreal president and CEO Gabriel Gervais. "He is a high-potential, creative player with great offensive flair and technical ability." Escobar, who competes internationally for Guatemala, was named New England's Academy Player of the Year and the MLS NEXT U-17 MVP in 2022-23. He recorded one goal and one assist in 34 career appearances with the MLS NEXT Pro side Revolution II. He has yet to make his MLS debut.
Reuters
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Quakes acquire M Noel Buck from Revs for cash
April 23 - The San Jose Earthquakes acquired midfielder Noel Buck from the New England Revolution in exchange for $600,000 cash on Wednesday. The Revolution retained a percentage of the 20-year-old's future sell-on rights and will receive an additional $50,000 if certain performance conditions are met. Buck joins the Quakes as a U22 Initiative player after tallying five goals and two assists in 47 MLS matches (30 starts) with the Revs from 2022-25. "Noel Buck is a player with excellent potential," San Jose head coach Bruce Arena said. "I enjoyed his development in our previous time together, and I'm confident he can complement our midfield in both central and wide positions. I look forward to again working with Noel and welcome him to the San Jose Earthquakes." Arena was the head coach of the Revolution from 2019-23. A Massachusetts native, Buck made his pro debut at age 16 in 2021 with the USL League One side Revolution II. He was New England's Academy Player of the Year in 2021-22. "Noel Buck's career in New England from an Academy player to first team contributor is another good example for young players in our pro pathway," Revs sporting Director Curt Onalfo said. "Noel has been part of the Revolution family since age 12, and we take pride in being part of his development as a player and as a person. We wish him all the best in San Jose."
