Squad Update | Munster Prepare For Crusaders

30th January 2024 By The Editor

Andrew O'Mahony scores in the corner for Munster A against Connacht Eagles last September. Inpho

The Munster squad started preparations on Monday ahead of our first-ever game against Crusaders at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday (5pm).

Pinergy are the presenting partner for the game with a capacity crowd of 40,885 to attend with live coverage on TG4 and live commentary on Access Munster. Sign up to Access Munster for just €4 here.

We will have full supporter matchday information covering all operational details ahead of the game shortly. See more info here.

On the injury front, there is good news for Mike Haley (hip) as he returns to full training this week.

Cian Hurley (ankle/achilles) is increasing his training load and will return to play in the coming weeks.

Tom Ahern is following the return to play protocols and his availability will be determined later in the week.

Simon Zebo underwent an MRI on a knee injury last week and will see a specialist next week for review. He is unavailable this week.

John Hodnett underwent surgery on a finger injury last week and will be unavailable for 8 to 10 weeks.

Paddy Patterson will go for knee surgery next week and is expected to return at the start of next season.

Continuing to rehab: Jack O’Donoghue (knee), Dave Kilcoyne (shoulder), Diarmuid Barron (foot), Jean Kleyn (eye/knee), Liam Coombes (shoulder), RG Snyman (chest/shoulder), Roman Salanoa (knee).

In player news, Munster Rugby can confirm that scrum-half Neil Cronin has signed a two-month contract extension that will keep him at the province until the end of March.

The Garryowen man has made 38 Munster appearances to date and signed his first contract with the province in 2018.

Additionally, 20-year-old UCC scrum-half Andrew O’Mahony has joined Munster Rugby on a two-month contract.

A former CBC student and Ireland U20 international, O’Mahony featured for Munster A against the Connacht Eagles at the start of the season.

He has started all 12 games for UCC in Division 1B of the All Ireland League so far this season.

There were 11 Munster players in AIL action for their clubs at the weekend.

In Division 1A, Mark Donnelly helped Cork Constitution to a 27-26 victory over Clontarf.

Shay McCarthy was among the tries for Young Munster with Patrick Campbell, Keynan Knox and Chris Moore also featuring in their 29-21 loss away to City of Armagh.

In Division 1B, Jack Oliver kicked a penalty and a conversion for Garryowen as they beat Blackrock College 20-17 in Dublin with Colm Hogan, George Hadden, Jack Daly and Dylan Hicks also in action for the Limerick side.

New addition Andrew O’Mahony lined out for UCC as they were beaten by Old Wesley.