Faloon To Lead Armagh’s New Coaching Team
City of Armagh RFC, who recently won promotion to Ulster Bank League Division 2A via the play-offs, have announced their new coaching team for the 2017/18 season.
Willie Faloon will take over the coaching reins at the club, assisted by Chris Parker and David Eakin. Faloon has been forwards coach with Armagh since 2015 and will now become coaching consultant responsible for rugby matters for the four adult teams, girls and youth teams at the club. Departing head coach Alex McCloy recently made the move back to hometown club Ballymena.
Faloon, the former Ulster and Connacht flanker, attended the Royal School, Armagh before commencing his professional rugby career and he is now coach of the Royal School 1st XV.
With two Ireland ‘A’ caps, the 30-year-old brings his considerable experience of the professional game to his local club. He has already made a major contribution to Armagh’s success of the past two seasons, culminating in the firsts winning the Ulster Rugby Premiership for the first time and gaining promotion to Ulster Bank League Division 2A.
Parker has been appointed as backs coach within the Armagh management. He is currently assistant coach at the Royal School and joins the club from Ballynahinch where he experienced considerable success over the past five years, coaching teams to victory in numerous Towns Cups, Junior Cups and Senior Cups.
From 2012 to 2015, he coached the Ulster Youths at Under-17 and Under-18 levels.
Eakin will continue in his role as assistant coach at Armagh where he has helped strengthen the 2nd XV, who reached the semi-final of the Towns Cup this season and won promotion to Conference League 1.
City of Armagh RFC Chairman John Callaghan said: “The role of the new coaching team will be to continue to oversee both youth and adult teams, as our club seeks to build a solid and enduring foundation, both on and off the field.”