Munster Announce 31 Man Squad for 2003/04

Munster have announced a squad of 31 players for the coming season 2003/2004. Newcomers to the squad on fulltime contracts include Jerry Flannery, Eoin Reddan, Shaun Payne, Donal Sheahan & David Pusey

Munster have announced a squad of 31 players for the coming season 2003/2004.

Newcomers to the squad on fulltime contracts include hooker Jerry Flannery, scrum half Eoin Reddan, wing Shaun Payne, lock forwards Donal Sheahan & David Pusey and two players who have accepted Development contracts wing/centre Martin McPhail and back-row Stephen Keogh. In addition Denis Leamy and Mossie Lawlor, both on Development contracts last season have been given full-time contracts for the coming season.

Players who have left the squad include lock Mick O Driscoll and hooker John Fogarty who have opted to continue their careers with Perpignan and Connacht respectively, Dominic Malone has returned to club football in England while Warren O Kelly s contract with the province has not been renewed. Killian Keane has retired from representative rugby after long and loyal service to Munster, Mick Galwey has opted not to take a full time contract but will still be involved with the squad in an as yet undefined role and injury has precluded John O Neill from being involved.

For Jerry Flannery and Eoin Reddan and Donal Sheahan it s very much a case of returning home. Reddan and Flannery represented Munster at Schools and Under 21 level before moving to play with Connacht, Reddan involved with the western province two seasons and Flannery for one. Sheahan played Under 20 for Munster and was involved with senior squad for a period in 1998/99.

Shaun Payne and David Pusey are both qualified to play for Ireland and Payne was a member of the Ireland squad during Warren Gatland s reign. Commenting on the most recent signing Alan Gaffney said I am delighted that David has agreed to join us. He will, I believe compliment our squad very well. He is an exciting player who has exactly the attributes we in Munster are looking for. He is young, athletic, and the fact that has been in a Brumbies Squad of such quality points to his undoubted ability. The other real bonus from an Iish Rugby point of view is that he is qualified to play for Ireland, so all in all I am really very pleased to be able to welcome David on board”.

Newly Contracted Players:

Jerry Flannery (24). Hooker. 1.80m/5 11 ; 100kg/15st 11lbs. Educated in St Munchin s College Played Munster Schools & U21s. Played Ireland U19s. Played Connacht Senior Squad 2002/2003.

Eoin Reddan (22). Scrum-Half; 1.76m/5 8 ; 77kg/12st 2lbs. Educated at Crescent Comprehensive and University of Limerick. Represented Munster at Schools & U19 Level. Represented Ireland at Schools, U21 & Student level & Capped 25+ times in two seasons by Connacht.

Donal Sheahan (27). Lock; 1.94m/6 4 ; 107kg/17st. Educated Colaiste Criost Ri Cork. Played Munster U20 s. Played Ireland Colleges. Won AIL Medal with Cork Constitution 1998/99. Moved to Dublin where he played with Clontarf, returning to Limerick to play with Garryowen this season past

Shaun Payne (31). Wing: 1.84m/6 0 ; 95kg/14st 13lbs. South African born of Irish ancestry. Played Super 12 with Natal Sharks (over 90 appearances). Spent past four seasons with Swansea (110 appearances).

David Pusey ( ). Lock ACT Brumbies 12 Super 12 appearances- Ireland qualified

Newly Contracted Development Players:

Martin McPhail (21). Wing/Centre; 1.71m/5 7 ; 85kg/13st 6lbs.

Stephen Keogh (21) Lock/No 8: 1.94m/6 4 105kg/16st 8lbs. Born Limerck Educated St Munchins & UCC. Played Munster Schools & U21 s. Played Ireland Schools, Captain Ireland U21 s. Member IRFU Academy.

MUNSTER RUGBY SQUAD SEASON 2003/2004

Forwards:

Marcus Horan Simon Kerr John Hayes Martin Cahill AN Other Frank Sheahan James Blaney Jerry Flannery Donncha O Callaghan Donal Sheehan Paul O Connell David Pusey (Aus) Jim Williams Alan Quinlan David Wallace Denis Leamy Colm McMahon Anthony Foley Eddie Halvey

Backs:

Peter Stringer Mike Prendergast Eoin Reddan Ronan O Gara Jason Holland Anthony Horgan Shaun Payne Mossie Lawlor Rob Henderson Mike Mullins John Kelly AN Other Jeremy Staunton Dominic Crotty AN Other

Development:

Conrad O Sullivan Martin McPhail Frank Murphy Trevor Hogan Peter Malone Stephen Keogh

Munster Rugby Management Season 2003/2004

Coach: Alan Gaffney Assistant Coach: Brian Hickey Team Manager: Jerry Holland Scrum Coach: Paul McCarthy

Senior Medical Officer: Dr Mick Shinkwin Physiotherapist: Miss Kirsty Peacock Fitness Advisors: Fergal O Callaghan. Mark McManus.