Academy Update | January 2025

01/28/2025 11:13 AM

Four Munster Rugby Academy players featured in the win over Dragons at the weekend as the province’s young players continue to develop and gain more URC and Champions Cup experience.

It was announced this month that Shay McCarthy, Evan O’Connell and Ruadhán Quinn will all progress to the senior squad on two-year deals from next season in more good news for the Academy.

Hear the latest from Academy and Pathway Manager Gar Prendergast below.

4 Academy players helping Munster to Dragons victory…

“It was brilliant to see the four lads get their chance at Rodney Parade with Ben O’Connor making his first start and Danny Sheahan making his senior debut.

“He's a smashing young man and he's already got eight appearances under his belt, played Champions Cup rugby as a year one Academy player. He came through PBC and played Ireland U20s last year but his background is predominantly GAA and that's reflected in how he moves and how he plays. He covers a huge amount of ground in a game and his stats are off the chart in an S&C perspective. He's a very competitive, polite, likeable young man and he's a really exciting young talent.

“Danny Sheahan came through at Pres too and played two years with the Ireland U20s. He's still quite young but has done really well with Cork Con in the AIL. A very good set-piece player and has also worked on his game around the pitch and has done very well in that department too. He's a big man, a powerful boy and very driven.”

3 players moving up to senior squad…

“I coached Shay McCarthy with Young Munster and he worked his way into the Academy after playing with the Ireland U20s and then training with us for a number of months. He has really kicked on and has now earned his first senior contract.

“We’re delighted for him, he's worked hard and is a very talented player with a really exciting bright future ahead of him.

“Evan O’Connell came up through Castletroy College and is a very talented young man who applies himself really well. I've seen real growth in Evan over the last 12 to 15 months.

“His athletic development has really come on as well, he's just under 6 foot seven and he moves incredibly well. A great lineout player and has the ability to poach as well. Like Shay, he has a very bright future.

“Ruadhán Quinn played a massive role in Crescent winning the Schools Cup a few years ago and then he kicked on into the Irish U20s and was our youngest ever senior player at the age of 18 last season.

“He's a very explosive, dynamic player and he's so young but so mature and developed so it's just a matter of time before we see him more regularly in a red jersey.”

Smooth transition from Academy to senior squad…

“There are so many positives to the integrated model we have and while there are challenges at times, it's a hugely beneficial model for young players. I have to commend the senior coaches, they have all been brilliant with the young players and of course the Academy staff and, most importantly, the players themselves.

“There have been some really positive stories there over the last few years and it just highlights the benefits of an integrated model.”

Tommy O’Donnell & Seán Cronin involvement with senior coaches…

“We have a very strongly aligned coaching set-up between the Academy and senior team. The senior coaches are very open, transparent and supportive in helping us and we go out of our way to help them as much as we can as well in terms of support. That aligned, integrated approach doesn't just apply to the players, it also applies to the coaching side as well.

“Tommy O'Donnell and Seán Cronin have been playing a role there supporting Alex Codling over the last number of months and have been doing a really good job.

“A lot of our Academy coaches are getting exposure with the international teams as well. Ian Keatley is with the Ireland U20s, Tommy O’Donnell with the Ireland U19s and Brendan O'Connor with the Ireland U18s. Along with that, we'd have strength and conditioning coaches involved with various representative teams so that can only be good in terms of their personal development and for Munster Rugby.”

Kieran Ryan continuing to progress…

“The context of a front-rower, as we know the development takes a little bit longer. Kieran has been clipping on nicely over the last couple of years and he's a Year 3 Academy player now and one of his biggest strengths is his scrummaging. He's a very good technical scrummager and can play at loosehead and tighthead. He's gaining invaluable experience going up against experienced guys like John Ryan and Stephen Archer and playing with Shannon in the AIL.”

Ireland U20s…

“We have six players in the squad for the 6 Nations and it’s unlucky for a few guys who were in the broader squad at different stages that they are missing due to injury.

“Dylan Hicks came through Bantry Bay and Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí. He's a hugely exciting talent and is playing in AIL Division 1A with Garryowen.

“Gene O'Leary Kareem and Michael Foy are in there having just come out of school having excelled in the Senior Cup over the last couple of seasons. These guys are exciting players with Gene coming from PBC and Michael from CBC.

“Eoghan Smyth was playing AIL rugby with Midleton RFC last season while still in school and has moved to Cork Con this year and is excelling in Division 1A.

“Conor Kennelly actually started playing rugby at a late age with Christians and is really developing physically and his game understanding is growing week by week.

“Oisín Minogue is playing AIL rugby with Shannon RFC and came up through St Munchin’s. He’s another exciting back-row forward and played with the Ireland U19s last year.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for all of the lads.

“Luke Murphy was a starter in the back row last year but is out injured. Emmett Calvey, who plays prop and was in last year's squad as well, is also injured. Back three player Jed O'Dwyer also has an injury so that's a bit unfortunate for those guys.

“We're hoping to have a few more involved as the 6 Nations goes on and then building towards the World Championship. Christian Foley is a loosehead prop from Abbeyfeale who is playing Division 1A rugby with Young Munster. He's with the Ireland U19s but was up in the U20s camp this month and is a really exciting talent.

Injuries…

“Along with Luke Murphy, Ronan Foxe and Darragh McSweeney are both out of action due to injury but they are are closing in on their returns to action in the coming weeks.”

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