Introducing Our Senior Men's Coaching Teams for Season 2025/26
- PRO DLSP
- May 21
- 4 min read
Updated: May 22
De La Salle Palmerston FC is delighted to announce its coaching teams for the senior men's squads for season 2025/26.
Vic Ball has been appointed First Team Head Coach, following a very successful stint with Boyne RFC which culminated in promotion to Division 1A of the Leinster League last season.
Vic will be assisted by Conor Holland as backs/attack coach. Conor has been the Head Coach of DLSP’s excellent Under 20s for the past two seasons, having previously played in the promotion-winning Firsts in 2022/23.
Clive Ross rejoins Salmo as a player/coach with a particular focus on lineout/breakdown. Clive played for Lansdowne FC most recently and was involved in coaching there as well.
Director of Rugby, Norman Byrne, will work with the group in a skills coach capacity while supporting the coaching team on a hands-on basis.
Working directly with this coaching group, with specific responsibility for the senior men's Second Team, will be Emmet Nealon and Declan White who will continue in their roles after a very successful 2024/25 season.
Ian Burke will lead the squad in their athletic development work as Head of Strength and Conditioning.
Finally, for now, Niall Smullen will take on the now-formalised Head of Salmo Academy role which will focus on DLSP’s rugby development of our players from Under 16 to Under 20 inclusive.
Commenting on the announcements, Norman Byrne, Director of Rugby, said:
"I’m delighted to be able to confirm both these appointments and the formalisation of the Academy role. On the latter first-off, Niall has done a great job with the senior squad over the past few seasons, first as Head Coach and then in an assistant coach capacity last season while he was also working with me behind the scenes in setting up the academy model.
"This transition of roles was something we agreed a couple of seasons back and I’m very pleased that he is now taking on the formalised role as the “Head of Academy @ Salmo”. I’m looking forward to working with him as the club evolves the academy concept further – you’ll be hearing more about that over the summer months.”
With regard to the coaching appointments, Norman also indicated how pleased he was to assemble such a quality group: “Vic has had an excellent stint with Boyne RFC over the past number of seasons and a proven track record of quality coaching in the Leinster League. He will bring a freshness to our approach along with his experience and knowledge of Salmo.
"Conor is another great addition to this group, following two super seasons with our Under 20s as Head Coach. He has a great work ethic and a huge understanding of the game.
"Clive then adds a different and exciting dynamic to the group, where his player-coach role will have a direct impact on those around him on the field.
"Ian then will keep us all fit and hopefully healthy, so we can underpin the rugby coaching aspects to best effect.
" I’m really delighted with the overall mix of the group and am looking forward to working with Vic and the lads!”
With regards to the continuation of the Seconds coaching team, following last season’s quality performance from the group, Norman added “Having Emmet and Declan remain at the helm of this group is a huge plus. They built a really strong identity, while maintaining the integrity of the wider senior squad and they had a cracking year. I’m sure they’ll build even further on that next season.”
Vic Ball for his part is delighted to be taking up the helm as Head Coach. “It’s an honour and a privilege to take on the Head Coach role with the Salmo senior squad. When speaking with Norm about the role, it’s clear that there is a really strong and sustainable playing base in the club at all levels and I’m really looking forward to helping all those players develop further.
"From my experience in the Leinster League over recent seasons, I know the respect that other clubs have for Salmo and that respect is well-deserved. But I want to make us even more competitive and challenging further and making sure that there’s an element of fear to go with the respect! I’m also looking forward to getting to know the players, supporters, alickadoos and parents over the next while and can’t wait to get started in pre-season!”
Conor Holland: “It’s an honour for me to be involved in the senior coaching set-up for the coming season. I have coached, worked with, taught and played alongside many of the existing squad so I feel a deep connection to this group of players and to Salmo as a whole. I’m really looking forward to getting stuck in with my fellow coaches and the lads.”
Clive Ross: “I’m really pleased to be back in Salmo for a second stint, after a great few years playing for the club some time back. The challenge is exciting in that it’s my first official player-coach role – both parts of that are very important opportunities for me and I fully intend to add value on both fronts!”
Further coaching appointments for next season, including for the Under 20s group, will be announced imminently.
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