About The Academy

Jake O'Riordan and Eoghan Smyth in AIL action for Young Munster and Cork Constitution.

Munster Rugby Academy

The Munster Rugby Academy was formed in 2004 “to prepare young players for life in and beyond professional rugby”.

The initial crop of 22 players included Keith Earls, Billy Holland, Duncan Williams, Donnacha Ryan and Tomás O’Leary, the inaugural winner of the Academy player of the Year award.

With Academy players playing All Ireland League rugby throughout the season, AIL games are monitored closely with the best club players also scouted.

The door is never closed on young players who leave the pathway or are late developers.

On average, three to four players progress from the Academy into the senior squad each year with the majority of the Munster squad having come through the Academy system.

2025/26 Munster Rugby Academy

Year 3: Max Clein (Hooker/Garryowen), Ronan Foxe (Prop/Garryowen), George Hadden (Prop/Garryowen), Dylan Hicks (Out-half/Cork Constitution), Darragh McSweeney (Prop/Shannon), Ben O’Connor (Full-back/UCC).

Year 2: Seán Edogbo (Back-row/UCC), Michael Foy (Back-row/Lock/Cork Constitution), Luke Murphy (Back-row/Young Munster), Gene O’Leary Kareem (Centre/UCC), Jake O’Riordan (Scrum-half/Young Munster), Danny Sheahan (Hooker/Cork Constitution), Gordon Wood (Centre/Garryowen).

Year 1: Emmet Calvey (Prop/Shannon), Conor Kennelly (Lock/Highfield), Oisín Minogue (Back-row/Shannon), Eoghan Smyth (Centre/Cork Constitution), Tom Wood (Out-half/Garryowen).