Getting To Know Our New Academy Recruits

Following their respective breaks, all new recruits have now begun their time in the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy. As they commence a three-year programme, find out a little more about our seven new hopefuls and their pathway to professional rugby.

Vincent O’Brien – Hooker
A former Muskerry RFC player, the Cork Con clubman played Schools rugby with Christian Brothers College, Cork and has represented Munster at all age grades.  Having previously lined out for Ireland U19, the hooker is one of four new academy recruits who achieved Interprovincial success with Munster U20 last season.  O’Brien made his competitive Ireland U20 debut at this year’s World Rugby U20 Championship, the first of his tournament appearances coming off the bench in the campaign opener against Wales.
 
Sean O’Connor – Lock
A Munster Schools Senior Cup winning captain with Rockwell, the second row is another to have represented both province and country from U18 right through to U20. Following September's Interprovincial success with Munster U20, he lined out for the province’s ‘A’ side in the British & Irish Cup with last season also seeing the Cashel RFC player make his Ireland U20 debut in the 6 Nations before featuring heavily in the World Rugby U20 Championship.
 
Shane Daly – Centre
Hailing from Cork, Daly played Schools Senior Cup rugby with Presentation Brothers College, however injury curtailed his early age grade involvement with both province and country, only breaking through at U20 level. Beginning his rugby career with Highfield, the centre now plays Club rugby with Cork Constitution and was another who bagged Interprovincial honours with Munster U20 last season.  Daly established himself as one of the form players in the U20 6 Nations, starting every game and scoring two tries.  That form continued at the World Rugby U20 Championship where he scored a try in the tournament final.
 
Fineen Wycherley – Lock
First taking to the field for Bantry Bay RFC, the West Cork native attended Cistercian College Roscrea where he won a Leinster Schools Senior Cup title in 2015 and reached the final again in 2016.  In what proved to be a big season for the second rower, 2015/16 saw him claim the U19 Interprovincial title with Munster and line out for Munster A against Ulster A at Naas RFC in April.
 
Gavin Coombes – Back Row
A Munster U19 teammate of Wycherley last season, Coombes first plied his trade with Skibbereen RFC before lining out as captain for Bandon Grammar in the Munster Schools Senior Cup when they reached the quarter final this year.  Later representing Ireland at U19, the number 8’s representative career started with Munster U18 Schools where he won the 2014/15 Interprovincial title alongside his now academy colleagues Bill Johnston, Calvin Nash and John Foley.
 
John Foley – Back Row
A native of Co. Clare, Foley played his underage rugby with UL Bohs prior to packing down for St Munchins in the Munster Schools Senior Cup. Impressing at age grade level, he played for both province and country at U18 Schools, claiming Interprovincial honours in 2014/15.  Progressing steadily through the ranks, Foley is another who helped Munster U20s to last season’s Interprovincial title, while on the international front, the now Shannon RFC player was included in the Ireland U20 squad for this year’s 6 Nations.  Most recently he played for a Munster A/Development side against Ireland U20s at Thomond Park in May.
 
Calvin Nash – Centre
Starting out with Young Munster, while attending Crescent College Comprehensive, Nash was a member of the aforementioned Munster U18 Schools that had Interprovincial success in 2014/15.  On the international front he represented Ireland U18 Schools and U19s before enjoying further interprovincial success as part of the 2015/16 Munster U20s side.