Have to agree with Lloyd Gorman that there are also some Iona year 10 forwards who could make 1sts in 2015, although latest news seems to be that BSHS has scored Nathan Marshall for 2015. (most likely at flanker).
Brad Wilkins proved that AIC players can succeed at the highest level and it is depressing so see the continued drain on the talent pool.
Lets hope that players like Feeney continue within AIC. Stanghon is actually only in grade 9 but is of grade 10 age, so has another year up his sleeve and could make 3 years in the 1sts. The current year 10 Iona playing group have never converted talent into points, struggling against Pats, Ashgrove and Padua for the past couple of years. As individuals they have the ability but they have never really jelled as a team.
This year was also a bad year for injuries, with several season ending injuries occurring along the way. One real issue is also that players are playing one position for club and being selected in a totally different position for school. At times this year it appeared to be a form of appeasement for certain players; I'm told some players would only play certain positions and with numbers being short they were allowed to dictate terms.
That said, there is a good core group of year 10 boys in the Gym each week, as well as grade 11 lads and maybe some early S&C will make the difference.
