Shay McCarthy Signs Two-Year Contract Extension

Munster Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to announce that Academy winger Shay McCarthy will move up to the senior squad next season on a two-year deal.

McCarthy moves up to a development contract next year and will progress to a senior contract for 2026/27.

The exciting, speedy winger has already made a big impact at senior level with four tries in 12 appearances.

The 22-year-old made his Munster debut against the Sharks in October 2023 within months of joining the Academy and was a try-scorer on his Champions Cup debut against Bayonne in December 2023.

His first season in the Academy included an appearance in the Champions Cup round of 16 clash against Northampton Saints and he ended the season with two tries in seven games.

The Limerick man has already scored two tries in five appearances so far this year and will move up to the senior squad after two years in the Academy.

McCarthy started out at Richmond RFC and won a Munster Schools Boys Junior Cup with St Munchin’s College in 2018.

His impressive form with Young Munster in the AIL earned a call-up to the Ireland U20s squad and he made his debut at that level against France in June 2022.