
Football
Share
Published 15:45 11 Feb 2026 GMT
Updated 15:45 11 Feb 2026 GMT

Ulster have announced the signings of two Irish-qualified youngster - Paddy Woods and Rynard Gordon - with both men joining as first-year Academy recruits.
As per Ulster's statement, Woods, 18, is a second row from Perth, with family roots in County Down.
This summer, he lined out for both the Ulster U19s and Western Force U19s, and has recently played in AIL Division 1B for Queens University.
Gordon, also 18, is a South African-born back, who can play at centre or in the back three.
He qualifies though family ties in Belfast, and recently played for the Ulster U19s during a trial period.
Academy Manager, Gavin Hogg, said: “We are delighted to welcome both Paddy and Rynard into our Academy system.
“Paddy is a promising young lock with good physical presence and Rynard is an exciting backline player with the ability to beat defenders.
"Both players have shown us their clear potential, and we are pleased to be welcoming them into the Academy to progress.
"With both being Irish-Qualified through family, we hope that we can help both players develop in our Academy programme and become ones for the future.”
Explore more on these topics:

Reports from France say Ronan O’Gara has made up mind on next move
Well that’s that then….. No other head coach in rugby receives the same amount of speculation as La Rochelle head coach Ronan O’Gara. The most recent rumours were links to the head coach job at Leinster, with Leo Cullen leaving at the end of the season. However, reports from France have said that O’Gara is […]
Football
1 week ago
Live sport on TV in Ireland this weekend – Football, GAA and Rugby – August 21st-24th
The Prem is back! The Premier League is back this weekend, and so are we with our ultimate TV guide. Alongside the English footy, there’s League of Ireland, a heap of club GAA, and some rugby inter-pros. Enjoy the sport and a few pints! Football Friday, 21 August Saturday, 22 August Sunday, 23 August Monday, […]
Football
3 weeks ago
Peter O’Mahony has to check himself after passionate tirade against ref
Football