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The Munster Rugby Thread 24/25


Munster Rugby has confirmed five new additions to their Academy squad ahead of the 2025/26 season. They are current Ireland Under-20 Men’s internationals Emmet Calvey, Conor Kennelly, Oisín Minogue, Eoghan Smyth, and Tom Wood.

As previously confirmed by the province, Fionn Gibbons, Shay McCarthy, Evan O’Connell, Ruadhán Quinn, and Kieran Ryan have been promoted to the senior squad for the new campaign.

Meanwhile, Ben O’Connor will spend one more year in Munster’s Academy before moving up to the senior squad ahead of the 2026/27 season.
 
How much if any AIL rugby do the academy lads play?
Quite a lot, it's excellent experience for them, playing with and against senior, experienced players.
Typically you'd have about half the academy playing at club level at the weekend, depending on injuries, international duty, etc, e.g.

There were 18 Munster players in All Ireland League action for their clubs at the weekend.

In Division 1A, prop Mark Donnelly helped Cork Constitution to a 28-5 Ballynahinch.

There were six Munster players involved in Garryowen’s 19-18 victory over Clontarf in Dooradoyle. Gordon Wood scored two tries and Dylan Hicks kicked two conversions with George Hadden, Ronan Foxe, Cian Hurley and Brian Gleeson also starting.

Five Munster players helped Young Munster to a 20-12 win away to Terenure College in Dublin. Shay McCarthy scored two tries and Evan O’Connell scored one with Patrick Campbell, Fionn Gibbons and Jake O’Riordan also starting for the Cookies.

In Division 1B, Gene O’Leary Kareem, Seán Edogbo and Michael Foy lined out for UCC in their win over Highfield.

Kieran Ryan, Darragh McSweeney and Luke Murphy were in action for Shannon as they were beaten by Old Wesley.
 

Munster Rugby has confirmed five new additions to their Academy squad ahead of the 2025/26 season. They are current Ireland Under-20 Men’s internationals Emmet Calvey, Conor Kennelly, Oisín Minogue, Eoghan Smyth, and Tom Wood.

As previously confirmed by the province, Fionn Gibbons, Shay McCarthy, Evan O’Connell, Ruadhán Quinn, and Kieran Ryan have been promoted to the senior squad for the new campaign.

Meanwhile, Ben O’Connor will spend one more year in Munster’s Academy before moving up to the senior squad ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Wood has big shoes to stop into.
Young Oisín has smaller, if he should be so lucky.
 
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