2015/16 Munster Rugby Academy Confirmed

Munster Rugby can today confirm that 7 new players will join the Greencore Munster Rugby academy for season 2015/16.

Out of the current academy crop of 20 players 2 will advance to senior development contracts next season, academy player of the year Jack O’Donoghue and Darren Sweetnam, while Ryan Murphy, Max Abbott and Jamie Glynn have been released.

The 7 new recruits include players currently involved with the Ireland U20s at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy, Tomás Quinlan, Liam O’Connor and Conor Oliver.

The Cork Con duo of Quinlan and O’Connor are joined by their club colleague Ned Hodson in gaining promotion from the sub-academy, while Conor Oliver joins from St. Mary’s RFC having previously played at Leinster age grade level. Oliver most recently lined out with O’Connor in the Munster A series win over Ulster Ravens in Naas RFC.

Another player involved that day, UCD prop JP Phelan, has also been included, with Munster’s sub academy players Ben Kilkenny (Young Munster) and Steven McMahon (Garryowen) completing the 22-man academy. Dungarvan's McMahon ensures the Waterford representation is maintained with O’Donoghue advancing to senior status.

2015/16 Greencore Munster Rugby Academy (position/club):

Year 3: Rory Burke (Prop/Cork Con), Jack Cullen (Scrumhalf/Bruff), Niall Horan (Prop/Shannon), David Johnston (Fullback/UL Bohs), Gearoid Lyons (Outhalf/Shannon), Sean McCarthy (Lock/Shannon), John Madigan (Lock/Dolphin), Greg O'Shea (Winger/Shannon), Rory Scannell (Centre/Dolphin), Alex Wootton (Winger/Garryowen).

Year 2: Stephen Fitzgerald (Fullback/Ard Scoil Rís), Ryan Foley (Scrumhalf/Cork Con), Dan Goggin (Centre/Young Munster), Darragh Moloney (Lock/Cork Con), Brian Scott (Prop/Dolphin).

Year 1: Ned Hodson (Centre/Cork Con), Ben Kilkenny (Back-row/Young Munster), Steven McMahon (Winger/Garryowen), Liam O’Connor (Prop/Cork Con), Conor Oliver (Back-row/St Mary’s), JP Phelan (Prop/UCD), Tomás Quinlan (Outhalf/Cork Con).