Academy Young Guns Fire Against Cardiff
16th February 2015 By Munster Rugby
Saturday’s Guinness PRO12 victory over Cardiff Blues afforded three Greencore Munster Academy representatives the chance to get invaluable senior rugby experience as they continue to develop and prosper while coming through the Academy ranks.
Year three number 8 and former Ireland U20s captain Jack O'Donghue made his first senior start for the province following on from two league appearances off the bench last September against Zebre and Ospreys. The Munster ‘A’ captain for the current season, he led by example in this season’s British & Irish Cup, scoring 4 tries in the campaign.
On Saturday, following a strong showing all game, the Waterford native capped his outing by scoring the game's second try. After initial midfield breaks from captain Denis Hurley and Keith Earls, the former Waterpark player did well to hold his depth from the subsequent breakdown to exploit a gap in the scrambling Blues' defence, touching down on the 59th minute.
Year two centre/out-half Rory Scannell (younger brother of hooker Niall) made his second senior start having also started against the Blues in November. Back then, the 21 year old started at inside centre while this weekend, the late withdrawal of Ian Keatley due to illness saw Scannell promoted to a starting position at 10.
Good showings for Munster ‘A’ this season saw Scannell become the team’s leading points scorer in the B&I Cup (67 points) and pick up valuable game management experience on the path to further Senior representation.
Year three winger/full-back Darren Sweetnam completed the trio of Academy representatives. Injury prevented the former Cork senior hurler from participating in the earlier rounds of the B&I Cup, however the later rounds saw him make three 80 minute appearances and score his third B&I Cup try against Mosely in December.
Having featured for Munster in both pre-season friendlies against Gloucester and London Irish in September, the Dunmanway native came on to make his first competitive senior appearance on Saturday, replacing Luke O’Dea on 66 minutes.
Both final year academy players – O’Donoghue and Sweetnam – will graduate from the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy at the end of the season and move into the senior ranks next season.
At the age of 20 O'Donoghue has penned a three year deal which will see him advance to development status for season 2015/16 and full contract status from 2016/17, while 21 year old Sweetnam has signed a two-year contract, moving to development status for 2015/16 and a full contract for 2016/17.
Get the thoughts of a happy O'Donoghue at the full-time whistle here…
