Welsh building for new season

September has been given as the month in which rugby matches will be permitted to return for clubs and this is to allow clubs to plan and work towards the start of the 2020/21 season and the playing of rugby matches.

“It is brilliant to have that date because you want to know when you are planning for peaking fitness, you could burn people out if you went too early. It is nice to know that we will have it and it will go ahead,” said Welsh.

At the minute the IRFU have not permitted teams to return to training with Welsh saying that the Skins players have been working away on their own in preparation for the new season.

“We have been doing wee things through WhatsApp groups and the boys have been timing themselves and comparing it to each other so they have been working away.

“The boys are mad to get back at it but we know that when get back there is going to be restrictions, especially with contact. There will be a few challenges but we will deal with them when we need to.”

Welsh has been busy over the last couple of months in putting his squad together for next season and he has added a couple of signings to bolster the squad.

“We’ve a couple of good signings in.

“We have Kaine Holden back who was away with Omagh for a few seasons. He is a very abrasive, hard boy and hopefully he will bring back a few new skills and he will definitely bring back a good level of aggression, especially at training. He is a second row or back row and it is an area where we are really strong. We have a lot of young talent like Rutledge and Kelly coming through and we have the likes of Buchanan and Carleton already in that position so it is going to be so competitive in that area. We can also throw Jack Rutledge’s younger brother Neil who is coming out of ERGS into the mix too and it is great for him to come in and train with these lads,” he said.

The addition of the experienced Michael Shields also adds to that area in the squad.

“We have also signed Michael Shields who is another back row or second row from Malone and he is a great signing to get. He has eight years of senior rugby under his belt which is priceless.

“He is supposed to be very skilful as well as being hard and great about the park so I look forward to seeing him train and play,” he said.

And Welsh feels these additions will help with the club’s big goal of playing All Ireland league.

“We have great ambitions in the club of winning the league and maybe go to All Ireland. If we want to achieve that then we will have to start playing like we are an All Ireland club now, we will have to try and get a more professional and get more experience in and these two guys will give us that experience.”

The coach is also looking to have a few players back from England while Adam Lendrum is set to return from injury to push for a place.

“Matthew Balmer confirmed that he is coming back having been over in England teaching for a couple of years and we are hoping that Paddy McCleery will be back if he can get some work over here. They would be two excellent people to get back.

“On top of that, hopefully Adam Lendrum will be fit. I felt sorry for him last year as give or take a few games he was the starting out half for us for four seasons. He was in fantastic shape at the start of last season but then he did his knee in and had to have an operation which pretty much put him out for the whole season. I know the competitor he is and he will be back with a point to prove.

“At outhalf you will also have young Daire Hill too. He played a bit last season at full back and on the wing for us last season and John Maguire is also there so out half is going to be tough to pick as well as the back row and second row,” added Welsh.

One player who has left though is full back Alex Parke.

“We have lost full back Alex Parke who has gone to Queens and it is a shame because he is a very talented player but again he wants to go on and have a shot at All Ireland rugby.”