Academy Update | March 2025

Today at 11:01 AM

Hear the latest on our young players from Munster Rugby Academy & Pathway Manager Gar Prendergast ahead of Friday’s mid-season clash against Leicester Tigers.

So far, it has been confirmed that five Academy players will progress to the senior squad next year: Evan O’Connell, Ruadhán Quinn, Kieran Ryan, and Fionn Gibbons.

It was confirmed this week that Ben O’Connor will continue with the Academy for one more year before progressing to the senior squad on a two-year deal ahead of the 2026/27 season.

Fionn Gibbons back training after long-term knee injury…

“Fionn has had a pretty tough year. He got injured in the game against the Ireland U20s last May and it's been a long road for him but he's applied himself brilliantly on and off the pitch.

“He’s a great lad and the medical and S&C teams have done a brilliant job with him. He’s been putting in the hour in skills with our Elite Player Development Officer Aiden McNulty too and I'm delighted with his contract news. He'll be back playing AIL soon.”

Luke Murphy nearing return…

“Luke Murphy hasn't been out for quite as long but he had a shoulder operation and he will be back playing AIL next week and hoping for selection in the Ireland squad of the U20 World Championship in the summer.”

Ronan Foxe and Darragh McSweeney…

“Ronan Foxe is just back and he got some game-time in the AIL for Garryowen. He's back fully training and will be involved against Leicester on Friday night.

“We're looking to get Ronan back up to the pace of the game and managing his load and his game time so that he can ease himself back into it.

“Darragh McSweeney got back playing for Shannon two weeks ago, he's also had a very long road – it's been over nine months but it's great to see him back.”

Michael Foy impressing with Ireland U20s…

“Michael is an exceptional young man and he's an impressive character. I think he's got really good leadership qualities and his performance last Friday night didn't surprise me.

“It was a very difficult game with France on top in tough conditions but Michael still performed really well so that's a testament to him.”

Munster combination at out-half and centre partnership…

“It was great to see Gene O’Leary Kareem and Eoghan Smyth playing in the centre together alongside Tom Wood at out-half for the Ireland U20s against France. Tom, Eoghan and Conor Kennelly are all NTS (National Talent Squad) players. It just shows the strength of our NTS programme as well and all the supports those guys get. They have done a huge amount of work to get there and are doing really well.

“They are all set to be involved this week again with a couple of guys possibly playing out of position but this is a brilliant development opportunity for these players to play at that level.

“We have had two quality young out-halfs in Dylan Hicks and Tom Wood both playing for the Ireland U20s in the 6 Nations and Gene O'Leary Kareem and Eoghan Smyth playing in the centres. It's very encouraging and it's been quite a while since we've had two 10s and two centres pushing into that Ireland U20s team so it was great to see that 10-12-13 combination between the three lads last week.

“Dylan is a smashing young player and I’m sure he will get opportunities in the warm-up games ahead of the World Championships.”

Facing a strong Leicester side this Friday night…

“The AIL is a great platform for our players along with A games and, of course, a senior game like this is hugely important as well in terms of their development.

“It is a senior fixture, make no bones about it. It will be a good crowd at Welford Road and they have named a strong squad for it as well. It's going to be a real test for these young players but a test they need and something they are relishing so we're all looking forward to it.

“Games like this are ones that stand out in the calendar for our young players because they are the ones you get your opportunities in. Obviously we've had plenty of Academy involvement in URC and Champions Cup games with Evan O'Connell in the Ireland A squad too but this is one where they would have highlighted a while ago.

“It's being led by the senior coaches and, while they are already in the integrated model, it gives the young lads a real opportunity to work even closer with them. They have been preparing all week as a team which has been pretty cool.”

Ben O’Connor moving up to senior squad in 2026…

“He's a smashing young man and he's really enjoyed being in the Academy, I was only talking to him the other day about it. Obviously he had a big decision coming out of school between GAA and rugby.

“He's had some real exposure in terms of URC, Champions Cup, Ireland U20s and Emerging Ireland. When you add it all up, he's had a whirlwind experience in the last year-and-a-half.

“He's got a brilliant attitude and he's having some learning experiences along the way, not everything is going perfectly and he knows that, but that's part of his developmental curve and his learning. So he's an exciting prospect and one we're all looking forward to seeing him develop and grow.”

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