Munster Rugby v Cardiff Blues Match Programme

v CARDIFF BLUES | FRI 28 MAY 2021 | THOMOND PARK | 7.35PM 

MUNSTER v CARDIFF BLUES | 28.05.21 | THOMOND PARK 

1

READY 

TO Rise 

Again 

A thousand voices. 

A thousand places. 

One club. 

© 2020 adidas AG 

2 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE

PRESIDENT’S WELCOME 

looking forward to the day, which will hopefully 

be sometime soon, when we will be there in 

person once again. 

Tonight, we welcome Dai Young and his Cardiff 

Blues team to Thomond Park for this Round 

4 game in the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup. 

Cardiff come into this game sitting in 6th place 

with 9 points while Munster are 2nd place with 

10 points. When you look at the table only one 

point separates 2nd from 7th. The competition 

is certainly heating up and it is all still to play 

for. Any of the top seven teams are in with a 

chance to finish on top with only two games to 

go and a place in the final on June 19 against 

the winners from the South Africa conference. 

Munster were in control after the first two 

rounds and the need to play at their best 

tonight and again in the last round which is 

away to Zebre on June 11. You would imagine 

that nothing but two wins will do if there is any 

chance of reaching the final, so it is another 

occasion where the Munster faithful would love 

to be in Thomond Park shouting on the team in 

this crucial game. 

Our best wishes to James Cronin who departs 

at the end of the season. James has 142 caps 

and 20 tries for Munster along with three 

international caps under his belt. A real warrior 

and a player you would always prefer to have 

on your side when going into battle. On behalf 

of all of us, it was a pleasure to watch you play 

and the very best of luck in the next chapter 

wherever it takes you. 

When now looking at websites and social media, 

it is so refreshing to see players out training and 

preparing for the season ahead. Sometime soon 

hopefully games will recommence and after 

that spectators and clubhouses will reopen - 

another thing we all really look forward to. We 

cannot be sure of anything with this virus, so 

all we can do is keep doing the right things and 

hopefully things will keep going on this positive 

trend. 

Once again, our thanks to our main sponsor 

Bank of Ireland, our kit supplier adidas and all 

our sponsors for their continued support. 

Stay strong, stay positive and stay safe. To the 

brave and faithful, nothing is impossible. 

Seán McCullough 

President Munster Branch IRFU 

Our best wishes to Johann, the coaching 

team and all the squad in tonight’s game and 

President: Sean McCullough | Vice President: Ger McNamara | Junior Vice President: Michael Carroll 

Hon. Secretary: Muiris Mahon| Hon. Treasurer: Tom Kinirons 

Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Ian Flanagan | Head Coach: Johann van Graan | Team Manager: Niall O’Donovan 


3

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5

MUNSTER v CARDIFF BLUES 

Benetton will attempt to maintain their 100 per cent record in the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup when 

they entertain Connacht in Treviso on Saturday. 

New Zealander Kieran Cowley, who will depart 

the club this summer to take charge of Italy, has 

guided his side to three victories out of three 

despite a winless first half of the campaign in 

the original format of the competition. 

Second-placed Munster are at home to Cardiff 

Blues tonight and Cardiff head into this game 

with momentum after two one-point triumphs 

in their last two games but have not beaten 

Munster since September 2018. 

RAINBOW CUP ROUND 4 PREVIEW 

Glasgow Warriors, who sit fourth, visit the 

Welsh capital a day later to take on the Dragons. 

Elsewhere, Ulster will aim to break their duck 

and get off the mark with success against the 

Scarlets on Saturday afternoon after a tough 

start to the Rainbow Cup where the fixture list 

has pitted them against Leinster and Munster. 

Cory Hill scores 

a try for Cardiff 

Blues in Round 3 

POS TEAM PL W D L PF PA DIFF TF TA TB LB PTS 

1 Benetton Rugby 3 3 0 0 105 66 39 13 8 2 0 14 

2 Munster Rugby 3 2 0 1 85 37 48 11 4 1 1 10 

3 Ospreys 3 2 0 1 84 62 22 11 7 2 0 10 

4 Glasgow Warriors 3 2 0 1 79 89 -10 11 12 2 0 10 

5 Leinster Rugby 3 2 0 1 74 65 9 11 7 1 0 9 

6 Cardiff Blues 3 2 0 1 60 80 -20 8 10 1 0 9 

7 Connacht Rugby 3 2 0 1 71 94 -23 9 14 1 0 9 

8 Dragons 3 1 0 2 94 91 3 12 12 2 1 7 

9 Scarlets 3 1 0 2 82 87 -5 9 11 1 1 6 

10 Edinburgh Rugby 3 1 0 2 67 78 -11 9 10 0 1 5 

11 Zebre Rugby Club 3 0 0 3 65 83 -18 7 10 0 3 3 

12 Ulster Rugby 3 0 0 3 51 85 -34 7 13 1 2 3 


Tadhg Beirne in action 

against Connacht in 

Round 3 

Munster wins 

HEAD TO HEAD 

22 13 0 

Cardiff Blues wins 

MATCH FACTS 

Draw 

• Munster Rugby were defeated last time out 

20-24 at home to Connacht and have not lost 

successive Guinness PRO14 matches since 

January 2020. Munster have not lost backto-back 

matches at Thomond Park since 

2015. 

• Munster last lost to Welsh opposition on a 

trip to Scarlets in March 2019. 

• The most recent victory by a Welsh region 

in Limerick was by the Scarlets in February 

2017. 

• Cardiff Blues have won their last two matches 

against Dragons and Scarlets and have not 

won three PRO14 games in succession since 

October. 

• The Blues only success against an Irish 

province since January 2019 was when 

Connacht visited Rodney Parade in October 

whilst the Blues most recent win at an Irish 

province was on a trip to Galway defeating 

Connacht 17-15 in September 2017. 

• Munster have won their last four fixtures 

against the Blues since the Welshmen’s 37-13 

victory at the Arms Park in September 2018. 

The Blues most recent win at Thomond Park 

was in September 2017. 


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9

THE INSIDE 

TRACK 

GRAHAM ROWNTREE 

On Billy, CJ and Tommy retiring… 

“That’s what happens isn’t it, you evolve, 

players leave, they pass on their knowledge 

to the young guys coming through, which 

that group of players you just mentioned are 

exceptional at, and we move on. That’s how 

clubs evolve. Three brilliant men and I can’t 

speak high enough of them, and in particular 

the way they share their knowledge with the 

young guys coming through. I’m happy with the 

guys coming through to replace them.” 

On Josh Wycherley’s development… 

“He has kicked on already, I think. He has had 

some injury problems particularly at the start 

and unfortunately in a competitive position 

like that you get injured, you can go quickly 

to the back of the queue and you wait for your 

turn again. But he has been very patient in 

that process. A very professional young man, 

constantly working on his game. He will be 

back. He has got a big future with this club.” 

On opposition results… 

“It’s irrelevant. Any of those results aren’t about 

us. It’s now about us getting things right after 

that Connacht game. It was disappointing but 

they played well, they stuck in right until the 

end there Connacht. But it is irrelevant, other 

results. All we can do is get our process right, 

get our game right, that’s all we can do.” 


TOMMY O’DONNELL 

On his retirement… 

“I feel as a player that getting game time and 

being involved week on week is where you keep 

yourself sharp and keep myself on top of the 

game. I suppose with the possibility of reduced 

game time, and also the fact that I knew how 

my body was feeling in the winter months, in 

the hard grind and the double sessions. I took 

all the factors into account and I think that I 

have given it socks and I wanted to call it on my 

own terms as well. I didn’t want to go that extra 

year too long and not to be performing to the 

best of my ability. It would have done myself 

an injustice but also have done the lads around 

me an injustice. There are lads coming through 

in the squad who are just as keen to learn, and 

they are more physically able for the game of 

rugby at this stage so, they will be just as able 

to give it a good account next year than I would 

have been at my stage in my career.” 

On future endeavours… 

“I suppose there’s some trepidation. It’s all I’ve 

done for the last 12 years. You have to commit 

to rugby. I know I have been working outside 

of it and I have been adding strings to my bow 

but if you want to be good at rugby, like if you 

want that to be your craft, you have to commit 

to it. I think Jamie Heaslip mentioned it in his 

retirement - you have to be thinking about 

retirement but focus enough on your career, 

that you’re good enough and you develop 

enough and that you're continuously getting 

better and that you stay in rugby for as long as 

possible. I have deliberately taken next year, like 

the rugby has afforded me that time, I will have 

an adjustment process, where I will be able to 

get as much experience in the new industries 

that I want to go into, in the new sectors. I’m still 

quite undecided in exactly what road I’m going 

to commit down to but I’m studying in MBA 

and that’s very much helping me to get a broad 

sense of the business aspects and how being 

in an elite performance environment can be 

helpful towards the business aspect. 

I’m going to take the year, really 

figure out what I’m going to do and I’m going 

to get work experience in different industries 

before I finally commit what I’m going to do for 

the rest of my working life.” 

On career highlights… 

“It’s hard, there’s lots there. Each season has 

its own different memories. There are different 

Munster moments that stand out from each 

season. Even though I wasn’t in the pitch, to be 

in the stand even for the Clermont game. There 

were the Saracens games, there’s the win in 

Harlequins all the way back in 2012, to have been 

involved on the podium the last time we won a 

trophy in 2011/2012. There’s loads of different 

moments throughout the seasons, and I suppose 

from an individual point of view there’s getting 

capped for Ireland, the successes with Ireland 

that I has been involved in the Six Nations wins. 

Being named Munster Player of the Year back in 

2012. There’s highs and lows. There’s so many 

of them that rather than one stand out moment, 

there’s just a great collection of moments 

across the career that really allow you to go into 

retirement thinking you know yeah, I did a lot in 

my 12 years as a pro, and that I gave it socks.” 


11



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NEWSROUND 

RAINBOW CUP FINAL DETAILS ANNOUNCED 

Treviso’s Stadio di Monigo will play host to the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup ‘North v South’ 

Final on June 19 thanks to the support of the Federazione Italiana Rugby (FIR) and the Italian 

government. 

A kick-off time will be confirmed soon for the 

game at the home ground of Benetton Rugby, 

which has undergone a number of developments 

in the past two years. A maximum of one 

thousand fans should be admitted under current 

Italian regulations, so that they can be part of 

this historic occasion. 

Since announcing a dual tournament approach 

to the Rainbow Cup on April 21, 2021, PRO14 

Rugby began exploring the feasibility of hosting 

a Final in Europe between the top-ranked teams 

from each competition. 

The support and encouragement received by 

the Italian Federation and from Italy’s Sport 

Department allowed PRO14 Rugby to put 

forward proposals to stage the game in Treviso 

in a short space of time. 

The venue was the clear choice in Italy as an 

existing Guinness PRO14 stadium that has tried 

and tested Covid-19 protocols and infrastructures 

in place. The proximity of local airports, and the 

European teams’ familiarity with the site, also 

favoured this selection. 

This decision means that the dual tournaments 

operating in Europe and South Africa will tie 

together to produce one winner. The Northern 

representative shall be the team who finishes 

first in the table among the 12 teams in the 

Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup while the 

Southern representative shall be the side who 

ranks first in the Rainbow Cup SA competition. 

Further details on the ‘North v South’ Guinness 

Rainbow Cup Final will be provided in due 

course and the game will be available live across 

existing broadcasters in the tournament’s core 

territories and international markets. 

MUNSTER v CARDIFF BLUES | 28.05.21 | THOMOND PARK 15

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MUNSTER RUGBY GAMING 

TEAM ANNOUNCED 

Munster Rugby Gaming are back in action in the coming weeks for the Summer Split of the UK 

Esports League (UKEL)’s League of Legends Championship. 

The UKEL is the UK and Ireland’s first proving 

ground for teams playing League of Legends, 

the most watched esport in the world. Following 

an exciting first year in esports in 2020, Munster 

Rugby Gaming was delighted to gain a spot in 

the UKEL for 2021 with some of Ireland’s leading 

League of Legends players. 

You can see just what League of Legends is all 

about with this short video. 

After a nail-biting Spring Split which saw the 

team dig out some hard-fought wins late on to 

hold their position, Munster Rugby Gaming is 

delighted to announce its Summer Split team 

and backroom staff. 

Two of Ireland’s leading players, Kevin 

‘Kevaman’ Lalor and Connor ‘Goose’ O’Brien 

remain onboard, having brought fantastic skills 

and spirit to the team in the Spring Split. 

They will be joined by Tim ‘Beartree’ Guthrie, 

Mateus ‘JOJO’ Almeida and Oscar ‘Longstafff’ 

Brandon, bringing substantial experience to 

the team this Split. Coach is Daniel ‘Hush’ 

Michels and Analyst is local Limerick man Alex 

‘Daemon’ Prior. 

Commenting on the team announcement, Enda 

Lynch, Head of Enterprise for Munster Rugby, 

said: “We’re thrilled to be back in action for the 

summer ahead. The team brings a great mix 

of experience and a loyal fanbase, especially 

for our two Irish players Goose and Kevaman. 

Pre-season has been going very well and we’re 

looking forward to getting started.” 

The split begins on 3 June, continuing to 17 July 

with play-offs in late July. You can catch up on 

every game on Thursdays and Saturdays HERE. 

Beartree 

JOJO 

Goose 

Kavaman 

Longstafff 


19

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THE LOWDOWN 

THE FORM GUIDE 

Cardiff Blues started the Rainbow Cup with an 

away loss to Ospreys on 24 April, going down 

36-14 at Liberty Stadium. In the following round, 

the Blues came away with a one point win over 

Dragons, a late try from Teddy Williams proving 

the difference. At Parc y Scarlets on 15 May, 

once again just one point separated the sides 

at the final whistle. Cardiff claimed a 29-28 

victory despite a flurry of second half tries from 

Scarlets. 

In the regular Guinness PRO14 season, Cardiff 

Blues played in Conference B, finished in fourth 

place behind Munster, Connacht and Scarlets. 

Cardiff Blues went through to the ‘Round of 16’ 

in the Challenge Cup but were defeated 41-35 

by London Irish in a nine-try game. 

Jarrod Evans is the club’s top points scorer this 

season with 141 points. Rey Lee-Lo is their top 

try scorer with 5 tries this season. 

Winger Josh Adams has been selected as part 

of the 2021 British & Irish Lions squad to play in 

South Africa this summer. 

THE COACHING TICKET 

Dai Young returned to Cardiff Blues earlier this 

year to take up the Director of Rugby position, 

ten years after he last coached at the club. The 

former dual code international spent nine years 

with Wasps and has coached the Barbarians a 

number of times. Young won the EDF Energy 

Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup in his previous 

stint in Cardiff. His team of experienced 

assistant coaches includes former international 

scrum-half Richie Rees, former Wales Sevens 

assistant coach Richard Hodges, former Wales 

hooker T Rhys Thomas and former Cardiff Blues 

hooker Duane Goodfield. 

ONE TO WATCH 

Age: 24 

Position: Out-half 

Appearances: 15 

Points: 141 

Tries: 2 

Metres: 356 

Carries: 100 

Try assists: 8 

It was announced in recent months that Rhys 

Priestland will join the club next season from 

Bath and Matthew Screech will return to the 

club from Dragons. 

Dai Young 

*2020/21 PRO14 & RC 

JARROD EVANS 


21

STEPHEN ARCHER 

Prop 

29.01.88 

H: 1.88m 

W: 120.91kg 

Hons: Ire (2 caps) 

Hooker 

06.08.99 

H:1.83m 

W: 98kg 

Hons: Ire U20 

DIARMUID BARRON 

TADHG BEIRNE 

Lock / Back Row 

08.01.92 

H: 1.98 m 

W: 113.18 kg 


Flanker 

15.02.91 

H: 1.76 m 

W: 98 kg 

Hons: ~ 

CHRIS CLOETE 

Back Row 

11.12.1997 

H: 1.98m 

W: 110kg 

Hons: Ire U20 

GAVIN COOMBES 

JAMES CRONIN 

Prop 

23.11.90 

H: 1.80 m 

W: 113 kg 


Lock / Back Row 

03.08.85 

H: 1.91 m 

W: 111 kg 

Hons: Ire (1 cap) 

BILLY HOLLAND 

DAVE KILCOYNE 

Prop 

14.12.88 

H: 1.83 m 

W: 112 kg 


JEAN KLEYN 

Lock 

26.08.93 

H: 2.03 m 

W: 125 kg 


Prop 

06.04.99 

H: 1.85m 

W: 115kg 

Hons: ~ 

KEYNAN KNOX 

Prop 

22.07.95 

H: 1.85 m 

W: 120 kg 

Hons: Ire U20 

JEREMY LOUGHMAN 

Hooker 

12.10.92 

H: 1.84 m 

W: 108 kg 

Hons: NZ U20 

RHYS MARSHALL 

Hooker 

16.04.91 

H: 1.80 m 

W: 107 kg 

Hons: Ire U19 

KEVIN O’BYRNE 

Prop 

13.07.95 

H: 1.78 m 

W: 110 kg 

Hons: Ire U20 

LIAM O’CONNOR 

TOMMY O’DONNELL 

Back Row 

21.05.87 

H: 1.85 m 

W: 107 kg 


JACK O’DONOGHUE 

Back Row 

08.02.94 

H: 1.91 m 

W: 107 kg 


PETER O’MAHONY 

Back Row 

17.09.89 

H: 1.91 m 

W: 106 kg 


Back Row 

01.10.98 

H: 1.88m 

W: 100kg 

Hons: Ire U20 

JACK O’SULLIVAN 

JOHN RYAN 

Prop 

02.08.88 

H: 1.83 m 

W: 117 kg 


Prop 

28.10.97 

H:1.83m 

W: 123.18kg 

Hons: USA U20 

ROMAN SALANOA 

NIALL SCANNELL 

Hooker 

08.04.92 

H: 1.85 m 

W: 109 kg 


RG SNYMAN 

Lock 

29.01.95 

H: 2.06 m 

W: 116 kg 

Hons: SA (23 caps) 

CJ STANDER 

Back Row 

05.04.90 

H: 1.85 m 

W: 114 kg 


Lock 

11.12.97 

H:1.93 m 

W: 111.82 kg 

Hons: Ire U20 

FINEEN WYCHERLEY 

FORWARDS 

Munster Rugby Squad - 2020/21 Season 


JOEY CARBERY 

Fly Half 

01.11.95 

H: 1.83 m 

W: 85kg 


Scrum Half 

19.04.99 

H: 1.65 m 

W: 75kg 


CRAIG CASEY 

ANDREW CONWAY 

Full Back / Wing 

11.07.91 

H: 1.80 m 

W: 89 kg 


LIAM COOMBES 

Full Back / Wing 

01.05.97 

H: 1.91m 

W: 89 kg 

Hons: Ire U20 

Scrum Half 

08.12.92 

H: 1.73 m 

W: 83 kg 

Hons: Ire Clubs 

NEIL CRONIN 

Wing / Centre 

19.12.96 

H: 1.91 m 

W: 91 kg 


SHANE DALY 

DAMIAN DE ALLENDE 

Centre 

25/11/1991 

H: 1.91 m 

W: 105 kg 

Hons: SA (47 caps) 

KEITH EARLS 

Universal Back 

02.10.87 

H: 1.78 m 

W: 90 kg 


CHRIS FARRELL 

Centre 

16.03.93 

H: 1.93 m 

W: 110 kg 


Full Back 

26.10.96 

H:1.85m 

W: 95 kg 

Hons: Eng U20 

MATT GALLAGHER 

Centre 

10.12.94 

H: 1.85 m 

W: 100 kg 

Hons: Ire U20 

DAN GOGGIN 

Full Back 

28.06.94 

H: 1.91 m 

W: 93 kg 


MIKE HALEY 

RORY SCANNELL 

CALVIN NASH 

CONOR MURRAY 

ALEX MCHENRY 

NICK MCCARTHY 

JJ HANRAHAN 

Fly Half / Centre 

27.07.92 

H: 1.83 m 

W: 93 kg 

Hons: Emerging Ireland 

Scrum Half 

25.03.95 

H: 1.8m 

W: 84 kg 

Hons: Ire U20 

Centre 

07.10.97 

H: 1.88m 

W: 95kg 

Hons: Ire U20 

Scrum Half 

20.04.89 

H: 1.88 m 

W: 94 kg 


Wing 

08.08.97 

H: 1.78 m 

W: 90 kg 

Hons: Ire U20 

Centre 

22.12.93 

H: 1.80 m 

W: 98 kg 


Wing 

05.05.93 

H: 1.85 m 

W: 95 kg 


DARREN SWEETNAM 

BACKS 


23

MUNSTER RUGBY 

STARTING XV 

James Cronin Niall Scannell Stephen Archer 

Jean Kleyn 

Fineen 

Wycherley 

Jack O'Donoghue 

Tommy 

O'Donnell 

CJ Stander (C) 

Craig Casey 

Joey Carbery 

Shane Daly 

Rory Scannell 

Damian De 

Allende 

Andrew Conway 

Mike Haley 

#MUNvCAR 

JOIN THE CONVERSATION 

Replacements 

16. Diarmuid Barron 17. Jeremy Loughman 18. Keynan Knox 19. Gavin Coombes 

20. Peter O'Mahony 21. Nick McCarthy 22. Jack Crowley 23. Jack O'Sullivan 


CARDIFF BLUES 

STARTING XV 

Corey 

Domachowski 

Kristian Dacey 

Dillon Lewis 

Seb Davies 

Cory Hill 

Josh Turnbull (C) 

James Botham 

James Ratti 

Tomos Williams 

Jarrod Evans 

Josh Adams 

Ben Thomas 

Willis Halaholo 

Jason Harries 

Hallam Amos 

MATCH OFFICIALS 

Referee: Andy Brace (IRFU) 

AR1: Rob O’Sullivan (IRFU) 

AR2: Nigel Correll (IRFU) 

TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU) 

Replacements 

16. Liam Belcher 17. Rhys Carré 18. Dmitri Arhip 19. Rory Thornton 

20. Olly Robinson 21. Lloyd Williams 22. Harri Millard 23. Matthew Morgan 


25

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NEW HEAD COACHES ANNOUNCED 

Former UL Bohs, Munster and Ireland team mates Fiona Hayes and Niamh Briggs will find 

themselves on opposite sides this season after their appointments last week as Head Coaches of 

Ballincollig RFC and UL Bohemian RFC respectively. 

Fiona joins Ballincollig after a successful tenure 

at UL Bohemans both as a player and a coach, 

playing at the top level for over a decade before 

becoming Head Coach of UL Bohemians and 

the Munster U18s. She joins a club with big 

ambitions as they look to make their debut in the 

Energia All Ireland League and establish an Elite 

Centre of Excellence in Cork. 

Speaking on her appointment, Fiona said: 

“I am excited about the new journey I am about 

to embark on with both the players and the club. 

We have a chance to build a legacy for women’s 

rugby in Cork and create that high-performance 

environment where female players can enjoy the 

game while competing at the highest level. I will 

use my experience and knowledge of the game I 

love to help players in their development both on 

and off the pitch.” 

Cathal Sheridan, UL Bohemian RFC Director of 

Rugby, said: 

“We’re thrilled that Niamh has accepted our offer 

to become Head Coach. Niamh is a household 

name in Irish sport, she has one of the best rugby 

brains around, and we are very fortunate to have 

her overseeing the next generation of players 

through the club. Obviously, her experience on 

and off the pitch at the pinnacle of Irish Rugby 

over the last decade speaks for itself, but the 

most exciting part for us is her vision on where 

she wants to bring us to in the next few years. 

Earlier this week, Kerry Rugby women's team 

announced that former international Marie 

Louise Reilly will join their coaching team. Maz 

won 54 Irish caps and was a team mate of Briggs 

and Hayes. 

Fiona Hayes 

UL Bohemian RFC 

announced last week 

that Niamh Briggs will 

take the helm at UL 

Bohemians, the club 

she joined in 2009. 

The former Grand 

Slam winner and 

Irish captain brings a 

wealth of experience 

on the field as a player, 

and in more recent 

years as part of the 

coaching team at UL 

Bohemian RFC and 

with the Munster U18 

squad. 

NIamh Briggs 


27

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THANK 

Rhys Marshall 

Nick McCarthy 

CJ Stander 

Billy Holland 

Darren Sweetnam 


YOU 

We wish our departing 

players the very best 

of luck and thank them 

sincerely for their 

commitment to the red 

jersey. Mumhan Abu! 

James Cronin 

Tommy O'Donnell 

JJ Hanrahan 


31

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VIRTUAL MUNSTER MASCOTS 

CON ÓG O’BRIEN 

Age: 8 

School: Gaelscoil (Mhainistir na Corann), 

Midleton, Co. Cork 

Hobbies: Rugby, playing with his brothers 

Peter, James and Joseph, and sisters Sarah 

and Hannah, Pokemon, feeding the calves and 

Lego 

Favourite player: Keith Earls 

LEIGH MOYNIHAN 

Age: 8 

School: Salesians Primary School, Limerick 

Hobbies: Art, music, sport, playing the 

guitar, singing 

Favourite player: Keith Earls 


33

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Gilbert x Munster Programme Advert_165x12mm_5mm Bleed.pdf 1 06/10/2020 10:07 


35

NINE ACADEMY PLAYERS 

MOVE TO SENIOR CONTRACTS 

THOMAS AHERN 

Age: 21 (22/02/2000) 

From: Waterford 

Position: Lock 

Clubs: Youghal RFC, Dungarvan RFC, 

Waterpark RFC, Shannon RFC 

Senior debut: v Dragons, Nov 2020 

Did you know? Ahern was a back three 

player until converting to a lock in his 

late-teens at the start of 2017. 

The Munster senior squad will be 

boosted by the addition of nine 

Greencore Munster Rugby Academy 

players next season. Thomas Ahern, 

Jack Crowley, Jack Daly, Jake 

Flannery, James French, Seán French, 

Ben Healy, John Hodnett and Josh 

Wycherley have all earned their first 

senior contracts. 

Academy products are set to make 

up two-thirds of the 2021/22 Munster 

squad, the highest representation 

of academy graduates in over eight 

years. 

JAKE FL 

Age: 21 (07 

From: Tippe 

Position: Ou 

School: Roc 

Club: Kilfeac 

RFC 

Senior debut 

Did you know 

brother Alan li 

Munster A earl 

also represente 

Football at mino 

JACK DALY 

Age: 23 (12/08/1998) 

From: Kerry 

Position: Flanker 

Clubs: Castleisland RFC, Garryowen FC 

Senior debut: v Zebre, Nov 2020 

Did you know? Daly started out at 

Castleisland RFC, a club which has 

produced the likes of JJ Hanrahan, Ciara 

Griffin and Siobhán Fleming. 

JACK CROWLEY 

Age: 21 (13/01/2000) 

From: Innishannon, Co. Cork 


School: Bandon Grammar 

Clubs: Bandon RFC, Cork Constitution 

FC 

Senior debut: v Ulster, Jan 2021 

Did you know? Crowley played much of 

his underage rugby at scrum-half before 

moving to No. 10. 

JAMES FREN 

Age: 22 (22/11/19 

From: Bandon, C 

Position: Prop 

School: Bandon 

Clubs: Bandon R 

Did you know? 

All-Ireland scho 

champion. 


ANNERY 

JOHN HODNETT 

JOSH WYCHERLEY 

/06/1999) 

rary 

t-half/Full back 

kwell College 

le & District RFC, Shannon 

: v Zebre, Feb 2020 

? Jake and younger 

ned out together for 

ier this season. Jake has 

d Tipperary in Gaelic 

r level. 

Age: 22 (10/01/1999) 

From: Rosscarbery, Co. Cork 

Position: Back row 

Clubs: Clonakilty RFC, UCC RFC 

Senior debut: v Southern Kings, 

Feb 2020 

Did you know? Hodnett has 

represented Cork in Gaelic 

Football at underage level. 

Age: 21 (22/07/1999) 

From: Bantry, Co. Cork 

Position: Prop 

School: Cistercian College, Roscrea 

Clubs: Bantry Bay RFC, 

Young Munster RFC 

Senior debut: v Cardiff Blues, Oct 2020 

Did you know? Josh’s father Florence 

was one of the founders of Bantry 

Bay RFC’s underage section that has 

produced two Munster players – 

Josh and brother Fineen. 

CH 

98) 

o. Cork 

Grammar 

FC, UCC RFC 

James was an 

olboy shot put 

SEÁN FRENCH 

Age: 21 (14/08/1999) 

From: Cork 

Position: Universal back 

School: Presentation Brothers College, 

Cork 

Club: Cork Constitution FC 

Senior debut: v Zebre, Nov 2020 

Did you know? French scored all 11 of 

PBC’s points (a try and two penalties) in 

their 2017 Munster Schools Senior Cup 

final victory over Glenstal Abbey. 

BEN HEALY 

Age: 21 (29/06/1999) 

From: Tipperary 


School: Glenstal Abbey 

Club: Nenagh Ormond RFC, 

Garryowen FC 

Senior debut: v Edinburgh, Nov 2019 

Did you know? Ben captained Glenstal 

Abbey to their first-ever Munster 

Schools Senior Cup title in 2018. 


37

STAND UP 

AND FIGHT 


MUNSTER v CARDIFF ULSTER | BLUES 07.05.21 | 28.05.21 | THOMOND | THOMOND PARK PARK 39

RUGBY DEVELOPMENT NEWS 

SUMMER CAMPS BOOKINGS 

UNDERWAY 

Bookings are being taken for the Bank of Ireland 

Munster Rugby Summer Camps, which will 

take place across 22 venues in the province, 

from 5 July to 27 August. The camps are open 

for children aged 6-16 years and the cost is €80 

per child. Click HERE to book your child’s place. 

GIRLS RUGBY THRIVING AT 

OLD CRESCENT 

Munster Rugby are also inviting applications 

for the positions of Summer Camp Officers. 

See full details of dates and venues for the 

Summer Camps HERE. 

These are part-time fixed term contracts from 

Monday 5 July 2021 to Friday 27 August 2021. 

The purpose of the role is to ensure camp 

attendees’ experience is as fun and rewarding 

as possible, whilst fully adhering to the IRFU 

Child Safeguarding policy. All successful 

applicants will be given all relevant on and off 

pitch training. The closing date for applications 

is strictly 12 noon Friday 11 June. Click HERE 

to apply. 

Old Crescent RFC in Limerick has experienced 

plenty of growth in their girls’ rugby programme 

over the last 18 months. Despite the challenges 

which arose due to the restrictions associated 

with Covid-19, the club were able to run four 

weeks of the IRFU’s Give It A Try initiative in 

August 2020. This facilitated more girls to 

pick up a rugby ball for the first time and the 

momentum generated has eventually led to a 

situation whereby the club are welcoming in 

excess of 50 girls to Rosbrien every Sunday. 

Former Ireland international, Marie Carroll, who 

is currently coaching at the club and assisted in 

starting the girls rugby programme explained 

how the club benefited from being able to have 

rugby activity take place last summer: “We ran 

four weeks of it (Give It A Try) last August and 

we had great fun. Out of that then, we picked 

up another 10 players. The momentum has just 

seemed to go on…we have 53 players on the 

books. Four new girls arrived there last Sunday, 

it’s just word of mouth more than anything.” 

Looking ahead, Carroll hopes that a strong focus 

on skills, participation and fun will eventually 

lead to a senior team in the future: “It’s all about 

participation as far as we’re concerned and 

being a part of a team, socialising and having 

friends. We don’t have a senior team but the 

way I look at it, if we develop them at that age, 

get all the basic skills and progress from that.” 


Over the last 18 months, Kanturk RFC have 

improved their facilities with the recent 

completion of a fully floodlit all-weather playing 

surface which was completed with the benefit 

of grant funding through the 2017 Sports Capital 

Grant Scheme. 

KANTURK COMPLETE UPGRADES 

As Director of Rugby Mike Murphy explains, 

the completion of the new playing surface to 

supplement their two existing pitches is most 

welcome due to the club’s growing underage 

section. 

“The project was an extension of the playing 

area which was really driven by demand. We 

have two pitches at the minute, two playing 

pitches, so we were fairly restricted in space, 

particularly for the growing underage section. 

So we looked to extend the playing and training 

facilities. The area of it, it’s about three quarters 

the size of a normal pitch.” 

Another project which the club undertook 

included resurfacing of the access roadway, 

car park and pitch side walkway and this was 

completed with support through LEADER 

grant funding through IRD Duhallow. Finally, 

last summer when restrictions were lifted, the 

club’s members and volunteers came together 

to give the clubhouse a facelift which included 

painting and other renovations. 

#MUNSTERSTARTSHERE WITH CRESCENT COLLEGE 

COMPREHENSIVE 

The #MunsterStartsHere video series has 

returned and once again highlights the 

fantastic work that goes on behind the 

scenes to develop the game across the 

province. The videos showcase the key roles 

played by clubs and schools when ensuring 

the development of age-grade structures and 

community programmes. Crescent College 

Comprehensive feature in this video with a 

spotlight on the school’s rugby programme 

and how the players and coaches navigated 

the challenges arising from the pandemic. 

The school’s rugby programme has been 

reformed recently with a greater emphasis 

on an alignment of philosophies from a 

playing and coaching perspective through 

all age groups. Senior coach Ian Sherwin 

and Munster Rugby CCRO Matt Brown both 

explain the pride they have in the playing 

group for how they remained committed 

and motivated throughout the uncertainties 

which arose over the last 12 months. Click 

HERE to view the video. 

#MunsterStartsHere 


41


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On & Off the Field 

Available in Leading Pharmacies Nationwide 

PROUDLY SUPPORTING MUNSTER RUGBY 

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FIXTURES & RESULTS 2020/21 

Date Fixture Venue 

Sat 3 Oct Scarlets 27-30 Munster Parc y Scarlets 

Sat 10 Oct Munster 25-23 Edinburgh Rugby Thomond Park 

Mon 26 Oct Munster 38 - 27 Cardiff Blues Thomond Park 

Sun 1 Nov Dragons 16 - 28 Munster Rodney Parade 

Sun 15 Nov Munster 38-22 Ospreys Thomond Park 

Mon 23 Nov Glasgow Warriors 13-27 Munster Scotstoun Stadium 

Mon 30 Nov Munster 52-3 Zebre Rugby Club Thomond Park 

Sun 13 Dec Munster 21-7 Harlequins Thomond Park 

Sat 19 Dec Clermont Auvergne 31-39 Munster Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin 

Sat 02 Jan Ulster 15-10 Munster Kingspan Stadium 

Sat 09 Jan Connacht 10-16 Munster The Sportsground 

Sat 23 Jan Munster 10-13 Leinster Thomond Park 

Sat 30 Jan Benetton Rugby 16-18 Munster Stadio Comunale Monigo 

Sat 20 Feb Edinburgh 10-22 Munster Murrayfield Stadium 

Fri 26 Feb Cardiff Blues 11-20 Munster Cardiff Arms Park 

Fri 5 Mar Munster 20-17 Connacht Thomond Park 

Fri 12 Mar Munster 28-10 Scarlets Thomond Park 

Fri 19 Mar Munster 31-17 Benetton Rugby Thomond Park 

Sat 27 Mar Leinster 16-6 Munster The RDS 

Sat 3 Apr Munster 33-40 Stade Toulousain Thomond Park 

Sat 24 Apr Leinster 3-27 Munster The RDS 

Fri 7 May Munster 38-10 Ulster Thomond Park 

Fri 14 Mar Munster 20-24 Connacht Thomond Park 

Fri 28 May | 7.35pm Munster v Cardiff Blues Thomond Park 

Fri 11 Jun | 6pm (Irish Time) Zebre v Munster Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi 

Munster team huddle at 

training in UL during the 

week. 


45


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Munster Rugby v Cardiff Blues Match Programme

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