EDINBURGH RUGBY HAVE announced the signing of Adam McBurney from Ulster.
McBurney, 24, is Scottish qualified — his grandmother was from Cadder, Lanarkshire — but represented Ireland from U18 to U20 after joining the Ulster academy set-up in 2016.
A native of Ballymena, McBurney made significant progress in his early days at the northern province, and was rewarded with a senior debut in 2017 and his first senior contract a year later.
The hooker went on to make 35 appearances for Ulster, though fell down the pecking order of late.
“I’m extremely excited to sign for Edinburgh,” McBurney said. “It’s a great place and a club with very high standards.
“Over the last few seasons, the progress on the pitch has been extremely noticeable from the outside looking in, and it’s something I’m looking forward to being involved with.
“I want to be part of a very successful Edinburgh squad, take every opportunity I’m given on the pitch, show what I’m about and how I can fit into the values and good work Edinburgh have already been doing.”
McBurney will now contest the number two jersey in the Scottish capital, and learn from head coach Richard Cockerill, who earned 27 caps for England in the late 90s.
“Richard Cockerill was a world class player and is a world class coach. I still have a lot of learning in me. I hope to benefit from his experiences to bring the best out of me as a hooker.
“I’ve been in the same rugby environment since I was a kid and hope this change will challenge my ability to adapt, along with picking the brains of new coaches and players to develop my skills.
“I’d like to thank to Ulster for everything they’ve done to help me progress to where I’m at today.”
Edinburgh have announced the signing of hooker Adam McBurney from Ulster.
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) March 16, 2021
The former Ireland U20 is Scottish-qualified.
“We’re pleased to announce Adam will be joining our squad next season. He’s a tough and dynamic competitor with a lot of scope for development,” Cockerill added, as hooker Mike Willemse departs at the end of the season.
“He’s a good fit for us and – with Mike leaving – slots well into our stable of hookers at the club. He’ll bring a lot of energy, a bit of edge and is a hard worker. We’re looking forward to linking up with him and seeing how he can progress.”
Its thanks to Billy that our amateur boxing team setup and training regime is the envy of all. No wonder the US want to poach him. Without Billy we would not have had that medal haul in London 2012, and without Billy we wont be able to match it in Rio. Its not the IABA that success lies with, its Billy and his team. They’d be fools to not give him everything he wants and anything he needs to keep that success going.
The fact that our boxers stay amateur thanks to healthy funding of 40k and coaches etc all paid for helps. While boxers in other countries are forced into professional ranks in order to go into a full time set up. Here Boxers are afraid to leave the handy number in the amateur ranks, It is ridiculous that the public fawning all over a few bronze medals(third/fourth place) in a second tier competition while Andy Lee winning a proper world title goes nearly unnoticed.
Give him what he wants!! The boxers are consistently winning medals! No brainer here
what Danny said
Resolved soon.. What a joke they should ask Billy to name his price..
Excellent trainer, really good guy too.
Deserves as much as what Martin o neill/ keano etc getting. And I’ll bet what he’s asking is reasonable, his back room team as well. Smarten up IBBA.
If the Web summit is anything to go by Billy will be leaving soon.
It’s just madness that we cannot just secure this man! We have the best track record in amateur boxing in the world per capita, yet the boxing always struggles with funding! But we pump money into the athletics, for what?? So we can get to a few semi finals! Doesn’t make sense at all!
wat time is joe ward for ghtin