Comings And Goings In Munster Academy
Academy Manager Peter Malone today confirmed that nine players will join the Munster Rugby Academy for the 2013/14 season.
Six members of the current Munster Academy are moving on to senior development contracts for next season, five of those with Munster – Cian Bohane, Duncan Casey, James Cronin, Ronan O’Mahony and Niall Scannell – and James Rael is heading to Connacht.
Corey Hircock has returned to Bedford Blues, while Cathal O’Flaherty has not been re-contracted and both Philip Donnellan and Brian Hayes are understood to be negotiating opportunities to play abroad.
The new recruits include six players promoted from the province’s sub-academy – Niall Horan, David Johnston, Sean McCarthy, John Madigan, Darren O’Shea and Rory Scannell – two players from Schools level, Gearoid Lyons and Greg O’Shea (both Crescent College Comprehensive), and one Irish Exiles player – Jack Cullen (Saracens).
As Rory Scannell joins the Academy, his big brother Niall advances to the next level – both Rory Scannell and Sean McCarthy were part of the Ireland Under-20s squad that competed in the RBS 6 Nations this year.
Gearoid Lyons captained Crescent College to the Munster Schools Senior Cup title in March, defeating Rockwell College in the decider.
2013/14 MUNSTER RUGBY ACADEMY (Position/Age/Club) –
Year 3: Shane Buckley (Back rower/21/Garryowen).
Year 2: Brian Haugh (Scrum half/20/Young Munster), Jonathan Holland (Out-half/21/Cork Constitution), Harry McNulty (Centre/20/Young Munster), Darren Moroney (Winger/22/UL Bohemians), Ryan Murphy (Back rower/20/Dolphin), Jack O’Donoghue (Back rower/19/UL Bohemians), Darren Sweetnam (Full-back/20/UCC).
Year 1: Jack Cullen (Scrum half/18/tbc), Niall Horan (Prop/19/Shannon), David Johnston (Full-back/19/UL Bohemians), Gearoid Lyons (Out-half/18/CCC), Darren O’Shea (Lock/21/Dolphin), Greg O’Shea (Winger/18/CCC), Sean McCarthy (Lock/19/Shannon), John Madigan (Lock/18/Dolphin), Rory Scannell (Centre/19/Dolphin).
Munster Rugby Academy Staff:
Elite Development Manager: Peter Malone
Elite Player Development Officers: Colm McMahon and Greig Oliver
Strength and Conditioning Coaches: Feargal O’Callaghan and Joe McGinley
Sub Academy Strength and Conditioning Coaches: Gordon Brett and PJ Wilson
Physios: Patrick Hanley and Damien Mordan
Video Analysis: Elliot Corcoran