Nine Players To Join Academy Ranks

Academy Manager Peter Malone today confirmed that nine players will join the Munster Rugby Academy for season 2013/14.

Six of the current academy are moving on to Senior Development contracts for next season, five of those with Munster, Cian Bohane, Duncan Casey, James Cronin, Ronan O’Mahony and Niall Scannell, and James Rael moves to Connacht.

Corey Hircock has returned to Bedford Blues while Cathal O’Flaherty has not been re-contracted, and both Philip Donnellan and Brian Hayes are understood to be negotiating opportunities to play abroad.

The new recruits include six players promoted from the sub academy, Niall Horan, David Johnston, Sean McCarthy, John Madigan, Darren O’Shea and Rory Scannell, two players from school level Gearoid Lyons and Greg O’Shea (both Crescent College Comprehensive), and one Irish Exiles player Jack Cullen (Saracens).

As Rory Scannell joins the academy big brother Niall advances to the next level, both Scannell and Sean McCarthy were part of the Irish U20s side that competed in the RBS 6 Nations. Gearoid Lyons captained his school’s side Crescent College Comprehensive to a Munster School’s Senior Cup title in March defeating Rockwell.

2013/14 Munster Rugby Academy (position/age/club):

Year 3: Shane Buckley (Wing forward/21/Garryowen).

Year 2: Brian Haugh (Scrumhalf/20/Young Munster), Jonathan Holland (Outhalf/21/Cork Con), Harry McNulty (Centre/20/Young Munster), Darren Moroney (Winger/22/UL Bohs), Ryan Murphy (Back row/20/Dolphin), Jack O’Donoghue (Back row/19/UL Bohs), Darren Sweetnam (Fullback/20/UCC).

Year 1: Jack Cullen (Scrumhalf/18/TBC), Niall Horan (Prop/19/Shannon), David Johnston (Fullback/19/UL Bohs), Gearoid Lyons (Outhalf/18/CCC), Darren O’Shea (Lock/21/Dolphin), Greg O’Shea (Winger/18/CCC), Sean McCarthy (Lock/19/Shannon), John Madigan (Lock/18/Dolphin), Rory Scannell (Centre/19/Dolphin).

Munster Rugby Academy Staff:

Elite Development Manager: Peter Malone
Elite Player Development Officers: Colm McMahon and Greig Oliver
Strength and Conditioning Coaches: Feargal O’Callaghan and Joe McGinley
Sub Academy Strength and Conditioning Coaches: Gordon Brett and PJ Wilson
Physios: Patrick Hanley and Damien Mordan
Video Analysis: Elliot Corcoran