Munster Rugby v DHL Stormers Match Programme
United Rugby Championship Round 2 | We hear from Stephen Larkham and Dave Kilcoyne ahead of the game, take a look at the opposition, and review the latest rugby happenings from across the province.
United Rugby Championship Round 2 | We hear from Stephen Larkham and Dave Kilcoyne ahead of the game, take a look at the opposition, and review the latest rugby happenings from across the province.
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v <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS<br />
THOMOND PARK<br />
02 OCT 2021|7.35PM<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
1
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WELCOME BACK<br />
Last Saturday in Italy, it was a case of so close but<br />
not to be for our Irish Women’s team as they lost out<br />
in the dying seconds in their game against Scotland.<br />
We acknowledge the efforts of our <strong>Munster</strong> players<br />
who made a huge contribution to the campaign.<br />
On the domestic rugby front, the Women’s AIL<br />
started last we ekend with Ballincollig recording<br />
a home win in nail-biting fashion, overcoming<br />
Suttonians on a 14-13 score line. UL Bohemian RFC<br />
hosted Cooke and started their season in style with<br />
a 46-12 win. It was a good weekend for our women’s<br />
teams. Best of luck this weekend and for the season<br />
ahead.<br />
Tonight, we welcome John Dobson, his squad<br />
and all involved in the <strong>DHL</strong> <strong>Stormers</strong> to Thomond<br />
Park for this Round 2 game of the United <strong>Rugby</strong><br />
Championship.<br />
The <strong>Stormers</strong> come into this game after losing out<br />
narrowly to Benetton <strong>Rugby</strong> last week. They will be<br />
disappointed with this result as they led for most of<br />
the game. They will see that as an opportunity lost<br />
and an added incentive coming into tonight’s game<br />
- not that any is needed.<br />
<strong>Munster</strong>, on the other hand, had a comfortable win<br />
in the end against the Cell C Sharks, but will take<br />
nothing for granted. Last week’s game is history and<br />
all the focus and attention is on tonight’s opposition.<br />
Our best wishes to Johann, his coaching team and<br />
all the squad in tonight’s game.<br />
The Men’s AIL starts this weekend and like most<br />
teams at all levels, clubs are going into a competitive<br />
game for the first time in over a year, so form is not<br />
a factor. It’s a case of getting out on the field and<br />
getting the first game out of the way and build from<br />
there. Again, best of luck to all our <strong>Munster</strong> teams<br />
involved.<br />
Our thanks to our main sponsor Bank of Ireland,<br />
our kit supplier adidas and all our sponsors for their<br />
continued and loyal support.<br />
To the brave and faithful, nothing is impossible.<br />
Sean McCullough<br />
President, <strong>Munster</strong> Branch IRFU<br />
Thomond Park welcomed back supporters last<br />
Saturday for the first time in over 18 months.<br />
When you see people queuing outside at 6pm for<br />
a 7.35pm kick off, you know how much it means<br />
for them to be back. To see and hear the <strong>Munster</strong><br />
faithful was something that players and supporters<br />
alike had looked forward to for such a long time.<br />
The atmosphere before and during the game was<br />
fantastic. We can look forward to more of the same<br />
tonight.<br />
President: Sean McCullough | Vice President: Ger McNamara | Junior Vice President: Michael Carroll<br />
Hon. Secretary: Muiris Mahon| Hon. Treasurer: Tom Kinirons<br />
Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Ian Flanagan | Head Coach: Johann van Graan | Team Manager: Niall O’Donovan<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
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16 TEAMS,<br />
2 HEMISPHERES,<br />
1 LEAGUE<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
5
Aisling - Friendships made in the stands<br />
WHEN WE<br />
STAND<br />
TOGETHER<br />
NOTHING IS<br />
IMPOSSIBLE<br />
Ciara Griffin – The Leader Conor Murray – World class<br />
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NEWSROUND<br />
CAPACITY INCREASED FOR<br />
CONNACHT MATCH<br />
TICKETS ON SALE FOR<br />
ED SHEERAN<br />
<strong>Munster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> will accommodate up to 75% of<br />
the stadium capacity for <strong>Munster</strong>’s next home<br />
game which will be against Connacht <strong>Rugby</strong> on<br />
Saturday, October 16 in Thomond Park. Tickets<br />
for this interpro clash are now on sale HERE.<br />
As per government guidelines, 75% attendance<br />
is possible where all adult supporters are<br />
vaccinated or immune (fully vaccinated or<br />
recovered from COVID-19 within the past six<br />
months, or are under the age of 18). It is the<br />
personal responsibility of all supporters to ensure<br />
they adhere to Government guidelines and adult<br />
supporters should note that proof of vaccination<br />
or recovery may be requested before entry.<br />
Thousands of tickets were snapped up last<br />
weekend for the two Ed Sheeran concerts<br />
scheduled for Thursday 5 and Friday 6 May<br />
2022.<br />
Tickets are available on www.ticketmaster.ie<br />
with limited availability. For Tour information<br />
visit www.edsheeran.com and for concert<br />
information visit www.aikenpromotions.com.<br />
PHILLIPS SHINES IN CANADA<br />
In Greencore <strong>Munster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> Academy news,<br />
winger Conor Phillips scored two tries for the<br />
Ireland Sevens team in Edmonton, Canada last<br />
weekend.<br />
The previous weekend saw Phillips notch up four<br />
tries on his World Series debut in Vancouver.<br />
A former Ireland U20 international, Phillips<br />
plays his AIL rugby with Young <strong>Munster</strong> and is a<br />
product of Crescent College Comprehensive.<br />
He made his international debut with the 7s side<br />
in May 2021.<br />
Conor Phillips in action at the<br />
Red v Grey training match<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
7
UP AND RUNNING<br />
This evening the <strong>DHL</strong> <strong>Stormers</strong> come to<br />
Thomond Park for the first time, hoping<br />
to get their campaign back on track after<br />
their 22-18 defeat to Benetton <strong>Rugby</strong> last<br />
weekend in Treviso.<br />
<strong>Munster</strong>’s opening round match against the<br />
Cell C Sharks saw Simon Zebo touching<br />
down twice in his return to the red jersey,<br />
with Gavin Coombes continuing his<br />
excellent try scoring form from last season<br />
with two of his own. Craig Casey and Chris<br />
Cloete made it six tries for the home side,<br />
which was the most tries scored by any<br />
team in Round 1.<br />
ROUND 2 PREVIEW<br />
Round 2 kicked off last night with Connacht<br />
hosting the Vodacom Bulls and Scarlets at<br />
home to the Emirates Lions.<br />
On the billing for earlier today were<br />
Benetton v Edinburgh, Glasgow Warriors v<br />
Cell C Sharks and Zebre v Ulster. Ospreys<br />
are hosting Cardiff Blues this evening at the<br />
Liberty Stadium.<br />
The round finishes off tomorrow with<br />
Leinster on the road at Rodney Parade<br />
against the Dragons.<br />
AFTER ROUND 1<br />
POS TEAM PL W D L PF PA DIFF TF TA TB LB PTS<br />
1 LEINSTER 1 1 0 0 31 3 28 4 0 1 0 5<br />
2 MUNSTER 1 1 0 0 42 17 25 6 2 1 0 5<br />
3 EMIRATES LIONS 1 1 0 0 38 26 12 5 4 1 0 5<br />
4 CARDIFF 1 1 0 0 33 21 12 5 2 1 0 5<br />
5 ULSTER 1 1 0 0 35 29 6 5 4 1 0 5<br />
6 EDINBURGH 1 1 0 0 26 22 4 4 3 1 0 5<br />
7 OSPREYS 1 1 0 0 27 23 4 3 2 0 0 4<br />
8 BENETTON RUGBY 1 1 0 0 22 18 4 3 2 0 0 4<br />
9 GLASGOW WARRIORS 1 0 0 1 29 35 -6 4 5 1 1 2<br />
10 SCARLETS 1 0 0 1 22 26 -4 3 4 0 1 1<br />
11 DRAGONS 1 0 0 1 23 27 -4 2 3 0 1 1<br />
12 <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS 1 0 0 1 18 22 -4 2 3 0 1 1<br />
13 ZEBRE 1 0 0 1 26 38 -12 4 5 1 0 1<br />
14 CONNACHT 1 0 0 1 21 33 -12 2 5 0 0 0<br />
15 CELL C SHARKS 1 0 0 1 17 42 -25 2 6 0 0 0<br />
16 VODACOM BULLS 1 0 0 1 3 31 -28 0 4 0 0 0<br />
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Warrick Gelant in<br />
action for the <strong>DHL</strong><br />
<strong>Stormers</strong> last weekend<br />
Craig Casey presented with<br />
the Man of the <strong>Match</strong> award<br />
last weekend by <strong>Munster</strong><br />
captain Peter O'Mahony<br />
Simon Zebo<br />
COMPARISON MUNSTER <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS<br />
Last 3 URC results 28 May - Cardiff <strong>Rugby</strong> (H) W 31-27 4 Jun - Bulls (A) L 27-31<br />
11 Jun - Zebre (A) W 54-11 12 Jun - Lions (H) W 0-0<br />
25 Sep - Sharks (H) W 42-17 25 Sep - Benetton (A) L 18-22<br />
URC 2021/22 Shield IR: 2nd - W1 D0 L0 - 5pts Shield SA: 2nd - W0 D0 L1 - 1pts<br />
URC form W (5pts) L (1pts)<br />
Top try scorer 2 - Simon Zebo, Gavin Coombes 1 - Rikus Pretorius, Ruhan Nel<br />
Top points scorer 10 - Simon Zebo, Gavin Coombes 8 - Manie Libbok<br />
MATCH FACTS<br />
• <strong>Munster</strong>’s only defeat in their last six<br />
United <strong>Rugby</strong> Championship matches was<br />
20-24 at home to Connacht in the Rainbow<br />
Cup.<br />
• <strong>Munster</strong>’s only loss to a South African<br />
opponent in the Championship was 16-<br />
40 against Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in<br />
October 2019.<br />
• <strong>DHL</strong> <strong>Stormers</strong> have lost their last three<br />
United <strong>Rugby</strong> Championship matches<br />
since beating Sharks 25-20 in Durban in<br />
the Rainbow Cup in May.<br />
• <strong>Stormers</strong> most recent victory outside of<br />
South Africa was 41-24 against the Rebels<br />
in Super <strong>Rugby</strong> in April 2019.<br />
• The two sides have never met before in a<br />
competitive fixture.<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
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MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
11
THE INSIDE TRACK<br />
STEPHEN LARKHAM<br />
On last weekend’s win against the Cell C<br />
Sharks…<br />
“Very happy with the result. We certainly<br />
showed patches where we were happy with the<br />
game and then other patches where we've got a<br />
few things to work on. First hit out for a number<br />
of guys. Special mention to Simon Zebo, I<br />
thought he had a fantastic return to the <strong>Munster</strong><br />
jersey and then RG Snyman’s first game after a<br />
horrendous 12 months for him so it's good to<br />
have those guys back out there. Rowan Osborne<br />
made his debut for <strong>Munster</strong> as well. For other<br />
guys it was their first 80-minute performance<br />
and first game since last season. All in all, we're<br />
very happy with the result, there's no doubt<br />
about that but, like everyone said after the game,<br />
there are a lot of things that we can still work on.”<br />
On working with Craig Casey…<br />
“Look I’ve only been here for a couple of years,<br />
and I've always seen the same side of Craig, in<br />
the Academy programme...very diligent with all<br />
of his off-field work. He prepares extremely well<br />
for field sessions and games, and it was kind<br />
of inevitable that he would get an opportunity.<br />
He's played for his nation now and he's played<br />
exceptionally well for us. The diligence that<br />
he's shown off the field has resulted in what's<br />
happened on the field for him. He's becoming<br />
a natural leader in the team because he's so<br />
driven and passionate about winning every<br />
week.”<br />
even if we've seen an amazing pre-season from<br />
a young kid coming through and we say, ‘well<br />
we need to give him some game time.’ It's not<br />
like he cemented his spot straight away, so we<br />
are for these first five games, and I think you'll<br />
see that in the selections, we are trying to<br />
get some rotation in there to give everyone a<br />
chance out there on the field.”<br />
On the superb team try last weekend…<br />
“I think that was the whole of the team play there.<br />
It was a beautiful passage. We had a similar one<br />
last year against Cardiff except this one came<br />
from the kick off and touched just about every<br />
set of hands out there which was really nice. It<br />
was good to see. We had really good conditions<br />
on the weekend and if conditions are right and<br />
you get a little bit of luck sometimes those<br />
things come off. It was good to watch.<br />
It's beautiful rugby when the<br />
ball is kept alive like that. You<br />
know we'd love to do that<br />
every single passage of play but<br />
there's other challenging factors.<br />
Most teams in this competition had<br />
very good defenses and I think by<br />
the end of the game the Sharks<br />
were pretty fatigued. They<br />
were over it and they<br />
knew they couldn’t win<br />
the game.”<br />
On the importance of squad rotation…<br />
“We're certainly very conscious of trying to get<br />
everyone some minutes on the field but we're<br />
including the trial games in that. I guess leading<br />
up to the trial games yes, we were looking at<br />
training form. You can't do much more than<br />
that. Like I said before you've got to give your<br />
incumbents a chance to go out there and play<br />
12 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE
DAVE KILCOYNE<br />
On getting back in action…<br />
“It was unbelievable to get back playing, very<br />
fortunate to play in front of the fans. It's been<br />
such a long road since we've had <strong>Munster</strong> fans<br />
back there, it was unreal. I have had a stop start<br />
season since that World Cup and with Covid<br />
and everything so it's great to hit the ground<br />
running.”<br />
On approaching 200 caps for <strong>Munster</strong>…<br />
“Look if I get to hit that number, which I'm sure<br />
I will, I'd be delighted but look I've always said<br />
I wanted to play until 40 that's been one of my<br />
goals, so I'll be looking at that 300 number. The<br />
two-hundred mark is just the midway point.”<br />
On depth in the squad…<br />
“I think we have. You look at Keynan Knox, the<br />
young tight head who came on the weekend<br />
and did very well. We have Diarmuid Barron<br />
another young great prospect coming through.<br />
You obviously have Stephen Archer, John Ryan,<br />
myself, Jeremy Loughman - the list goes on. I<br />
think there’s a very strong group there. You can<br />
always get better as a player, get better as a<br />
squad. We have an incredible forwards coach<br />
in Graham Rowntree who pushes us every day.<br />
He's done it all as a player and coach - club,<br />
international, Lions - and for the front rows<br />
to have hands on work with him…he’s been<br />
incredible for me.”<br />
On the energy within the squad…<br />
“The vibe feels unbelievable in here. Not having<br />
crowds here for 18 months…not just for the<br />
players. I think it gives everyone appreciation.<br />
We did that lap - we’d normally do that in<br />
Champions Cup days - a lap around the stadium<br />
before to build a little bit energy but the energy<br />
was insane on Saturday. I'm the type of player<br />
who feeds off energy and a lot of people really<br />
are in here. I think we have a great group of<br />
lads here at the moment. I read Craig Casey's<br />
interview after the game he just talks about<br />
the buzz around the place. There's a great buzz<br />
amongst the coaches and players. I think the<br />
fans could feel it on Saturday and we felt we fed<br />
off their energy, they fed off ours. Long may it<br />
continue. We've been long enough without it.”<br />
On playing with RG Snyman…<br />
“He brings a huge amount of experience<br />
and he's a world class player. He looks like<br />
something out of the WWE should be fighting<br />
in the Summer Series or something like that.<br />
He's been incredible for us. To have that size<br />
and that power in the row…you just see what<br />
he can do with the ball. That was his first game<br />
in how long, so he probably didn’t get his<br />
hands on the ball as much. But what he can do<br />
with it! That little carry down the touchline with<br />
his one hand off load. He can do things that I<br />
haven't seen too many players able to do. For<br />
us to have him is incredible.”<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
13
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WOMEN’S RUGBY NEWS<br />
Ballincollig RFC ©Colbert O'Sullivan<br />
WINNING AIL START FOR<br />
MUNSTER TEAMS<br />
Ballincollig became the story of the first<br />
round of the Women’s All-Ireland League<br />
after holding on to beat Suttonians 14-13 in a<br />
nail-biting finish at Tanner Park last Saturday,<br />
while UL Bohemians got their campaign off<br />
to a flying start by beating Cooke 46-12.<br />
Ballincollig’s long-awaited return to AIL rugby<br />
kicked off in brilliant fashion, young out-half<br />
Kelly Griffin jinking through midfield to score<br />
and convert after just six minutes.<br />
Suttonians scrum half Lena Kibler soon sniped<br />
over, and the north Dubliners, edged ahead<br />
early on the restart thanks to a Catherine<br />
Galvin penalty.<br />
Fiona Hayes’ Ballincollig side redoubled<br />
their efforts and with five minutes remaining,<br />
Heather Kennedy raced for the corner and a<br />
high tackle saw referee Carl O’Meara award a<br />
penalty try.<br />
Although Katie Grant Duggan got over for<br />
Sutts’ second try in the dying moments,<br />
the conversion proved too difficult and<br />
Ballincollig, thanks to some sterling defence,<br />
pocketed four hard-earned points.<br />
<strong>Munster</strong>’s Gemma Lane, who paired up with<br />
Griffin as Ballincollig’s half-backs, said: “We’d<br />
put in a lot of hard work in training, but we<br />
were all just really excited to get going to be<br />
honest. It’s great to start the club season with<br />
a win and we’re very happy.”<br />
Another of <strong>Munster</strong>’s Interprovincial title<br />
winners, centre Stephanie Nunan, ran in a<br />
first half hat-trick of tries as UL Bohemians<br />
accounted for Cooke on a 46-12 scoreline.<br />
It was Niamh Briggs’ league debut as Bohs’<br />
new head coach, and Cooke proved tricky<br />
opponents, Helen McGhee scoring early on<br />
and newcomer Naomi McCord surging over<br />
before half-time, via a terrific tip-on pass from<br />
Ilse van Staden.<br />
However, UL added 22 points without reply in<br />
the second half, with Nicole Cronin directing<br />
operations from out-half and scoring 11<br />
points.<br />
WOMEN’S LEAGUES UNDERWAY<br />
In the Women’s Division 1 League, Kerry<br />
opened their account with a 14-10 win over<br />
Tipperary at Thurles.<br />
In Division 2 tries from Rebecca Doyle and<br />
Caoimhe O’Donnell were not enough for<br />
Waterpark who lost 19-10 away to Skibbereen<br />
and in the other game in this division,<br />
Ballincollig defeated Dolphin 46-0.<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK 15
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MUNSTER DEVELOPMENT IN RECENT ACTION<br />
Reporting by Aron Hegarty and Daire Walsh<br />
<strong>Munster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> Development XV edged<br />
a gripping contest with Ulster <strong>Rugby</strong> to<br />
clinch a 25-24 victory at the IRFU High<br />
Performance Centre in Abbotstown on<br />
September 18 last.<br />
Nine tries were tallied in an end-to-end<br />
match that saw <strong>Munster</strong> race into a 15-0<br />
lead inside the opening 20 minutes with a<br />
double from PBC full-back Patrick Campbell<br />
and one by UCC hooker Scott Buckley.<br />
Ulster were twice held up over <strong>Munster</strong>’s<br />
line in a matter of minutes after Mark<br />
Donnelly of Garryowen FC was yellowcarded.<br />
However, <strong>Munster</strong> kept them<br />
scoreless and clinical Campbell raced away<br />
at the other end for his team’s third try<br />
midway through the half.<br />
Ulster responded with two scores in five<br />
minutes before the break through prop<br />
Callum Reid and flanker Reuben Crothers,<br />
whose effort was converted by James<br />
Humphreys for 12-15.<br />
The excellent Campbell got his third shortly<br />
after the restart. Ulster’s Ben Carson replied<br />
then wing Jamie Shanahan of Garryowen<br />
FC crossed before a try from Ulster<br />
replacement Scott Wilson set up a tense<br />
finish. Ross McKay landed the conversion<br />
to make it 24-25. They got the final play<br />
up to the <strong>Munster</strong> five-metre line as they<br />
rallied in a bid to steal victory from under<br />
their noses, but knocked forward in the last<br />
act of an enthralling contest.<br />
Last Friday, September 24, <strong>Munster</strong> fell<br />
to a 14-point defeat at the hands of their<br />
Leinster counterparts at the HPC.<br />
<strong>Munster</strong> pushed for scores until the very<br />
end, with full-back Patrick Campbell and<br />
replacement Tony Butler taking the game<br />
to their eastern counterparts at every<br />
available opportunity, but they couldn’t<br />
break down a stubborn Leinster defence.<br />
Paddy Patterson’s lung-bursting run on<br />
24 minutes asked questions of Leinster,<br />
and although he was close to picking out<br />
Seán French off a close-range scrum on 32<br />
minutes, <strong>Munster</strong> faced a 14-point deficit<br />
at the interval. Still, the Reds continued to<br />
play with great intent and it took diligent<br />
defence from Leinster to disrupt their<br />
attacking rhythm on the resumption.<br />
Ian Costello unloaded his bench as<br />
the action progressed and each player<br />
introduced was eager to leave their imprint<br />
on the game. Aside from Butler, George<br />
Coomber, Daniel Okeke and Darragh<br />
McSweeney made their considerable<br />
presences felt. Huge credit to the defence,<br />
who dug deep to prevent Leinster<br />
extending their cushion<br />
in the closing minutes.<br />
David Hawkshaw was<br />
inches from crossing the<br />
whitewash off a massive<br />
break, but the <strong>Munster</strong><br />
rear guard halted<br />
him in his tracks and<br />
secured a turnover<br />
penalty.<br />
Patrick<br />
Campbell<br />
who scored<br />
a hat trick<br />
against<br />
Ulster<br />
MUNSTER DEVELOPMENT<br />
Patrick Campbell (PBC), Seán French, Jack<br />
Crowley, John Forde (all Cork Constitution FC),<br />
Darragh French, Scott Buckley, James French, Alex<br />
Kendellen, Alessandro Heaney, Edwin Edogbo,<br />
George Coomber, Sam O’Sullivan (all UCC), Paddy<br />
Patterson, Ronan Loughnane (both UCD), Eoin<br />
O’Connor, Adam Maher (both Young <strong>Munster</strong> RFC),<br />
Paddy Kelly, Cian Hurley, Jack Daly, Dylan Murphy,<br />
Tony Butler, Alex Wood, Jack Delaney, James<br />
Kendrick, Jamie Shanahan, Mark Donnelly (all<br />
Garryowen FC), Alan Flannery, Aaron Hehir, Darragh<br />
McSweeney, Daniel Okeke, Ethan Coughlan, Kieran<br />
Ryan, Luke Doyle (all Shannon RFC), Fearghail<br />
O’Donoghue (Cashel RFC), Jack O’Sullivan (Cobh<br />
Pirates RFC), Sam Tarleton (Rockwell College).<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
19
THE TEAM BEHIND THE TEAM<br />
<strong>DHL</strong> Express Ireland is proud to start the 2021-2022<br />
season as the Official Logistics Partner of <strong>Munster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong>.<br />
Together we celebrate the passion and teamwork required<br />
for delivering excellence on and off the pitch, and we look<br />
forward to supporting the club as the TEAM behind the TEAM.<br />
20 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE
VIRTUAL MUNSTER MASCOTS<br />
DARRAGH KELLY<br />
Age: 6<br />
School: St. Paul's National School, Dooradoyle,<br />
Limerick (they're all huge <strong>Munster</strong> fans!)<br />
Hobbies: Playing rugby with Old Crescent RFC,<br />
playing GAA with Mungret St. Paul's<br />
and farming<br />
Favourite player: RG Snyman, Joey Carbery,<br />
Keith Earls & Andrew Conway<br />
SSW <strong>Munster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> Halfpage.pdf 1 17/09/2021 11:15<br />
ALEX MOLONEY<br />
Age: 9<br />
School: Gaelscoil O’Doghair, Newcastle West,<br />
Limerick<br />
Hobbies: <strong>Rugby</strong>, hurling, football, soccer,<br />
hanging out with his friends<br />
Favourite players: Keith Earls & Conor Murray<br />
WITH ED & VALERIE<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
21
MUNSTER RUGBY<br />
Lock<br />
22.02.00<br />
H: 2.06m<br />
W: 116.82kg<br />
Hons: Ire U20<br />
THOMAS AHERN<br />
STEPHEN ARCHER<br />
Prop<br />
29.01.88<br />
H:1.88m<br />
W: 118.18kg<br />
Hons: Ire (2 caps)<br />
Hooker<br />
06.08.98<br />
H: 1.93 m<br />
W: 98.18 kg<br />
Hons: Ire U20<br />
DIARMUID BARRON<br />
TADHG BEIRNE<br />
Lock / Back Row<br />
08.01.92<br />
H: 1.98 m<br />
W: 113.18 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (22 caps)<br />
JOEY CARBERY<br />
Flyhalf<br />
01.11.95<br />
H: 1.93m<br />
W: 85.91kg<br />
Hons: Ire (24 caps)<br />
Scrum Half<br />
19.04.99<br />
H: 1.65 m<br />
W: 75.91 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (3 caps)<br />
CRAIG CASEY<br />
Back Row<br />
15.02.91<br />
H: 1.75 m<br />
W: 105.91 kg<br />
Hons: ~<br />
CHRIS CLOETE<br />
ANDREW CONWAY<br />
Full Back/Wing<br />
11.07.91<br />
H: 1.8 m<br />
W: 90 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (25 caps)<br />
Back Row/Lock<br />
11.12.97<br />
H: 1.98 m<br />
W: 110 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (2 caps)<br />
GAVIN COOMBES<br />
Wing<br />
01.05.97<br />
H: 1.91m<br />
W: 89.09kg<br />
Hons: Ire U20<br />
LIAM COOMBES<br />
Scrum Half<br />
06.12.92<br />
H: 1.73 m<br />
W: 83.18 kg<br />
Hons: Ire Clubs<br />
NEIL CRONIN<br />
Fly Half<br />
13.01.00<br />
H: 1.85 m<br />
W: 89.09 kg<br />
Hons: Ire U20<br />
JACK CROWLEY<br />
Back Row<br />
12.08.98<br />
H: 1.83 m<br />
W: 106.82 kg<br />
Hons: Ire U20<br />
JACK DALY<br />
Centre<br />
19.12.96<br />
H: 1.91 m<br />
W: 91.82 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (2 caps)<br />
SHANE DALY<br />
DAMIAN DE ALLENDE<br />
Centre<br />
25.11.91<br />
H: 1.91 m<br />
W: 105 kg<br />
Hons: SA (53 caps)<br />
KEITH EARLS<br />
Universal Back<br />
02.10.87<br />
H: 1.78 m<br />
W: 86.82 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (93 caps)<br />
CHRIS FARRELL<br />
Centre<br />
16.03.93<br />
H: 1.91 m<br />
W: 110 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (15 caps)<br />
Fly Half<br />
07.06.99<br />
H: 1.83m<br />
W: 89.09kg<br />
Hons: Ire U20<br />
JAKE FLANNERY<br />
Prop<br />
22.11.98<br />
H: 1.85 m<br />
W: 120.91 kg<br />
Hons: Ire U20<br />
JAMES FRENCH<br />
Universal Back<br />
14.08.99<br />
H:1.88m<br />
W: 99.09 kg<br />
Hons: Ire U20<br />
SEAN FRENCH<br />
Full Back<br />
26.10.96<br />
H: 1.85 m<br />
W: 95.91 kg<br />
Hons: Eng U20<br />
MATT GALLAGHER<br />
DAN GOGGIN<br />
Centre<br />
10.12.94<br />
H: 1.88 m<br />
W: 86.82 kg<br />
Hons: Ire U20, 7s<br />
Full Back<br />
28.06.94<br />
H: 1.91 m<br />
W: 93.18 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (1 cap)<br />
MIKE HALEY<br />
Fly Half<br />
29.06.99<br />
H:1.91 m<br />
W: 96.82 kg<br />
Hons: Ire U20<br />
BEN HEALY<br />
22 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE
SQUAD 2021/22<br />
Back Row<br />
10.01.99<br />
H: 1.83 m<br />
W: 105kg<br />
Hons: Ire U20<br />
JOHN HODNETT<br />
Lock<br />
02.12.95<br />
H: 2.03 m<br />
W: 124.09kg<br />
Hons: SA (1 cap)<br />
JASON JENKINS<br />
DAVE KILCOYNE<br />
Prop<br />
14.12.88<br />
H: 1.83 m<br />
W: 110.91 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (45 caps)<br />
JEAN KLEYN<br />
Lock<br />
26.08.93<br />
H: 2.03m<br />
W: 120.91 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (5 caps)<br />
Prop<br />
06.04.99<br />
H: 1.85 m<br />
W: 115 kg<br />
Hons: ~<br />
KEYNAN KNOX<br />
Prop<br />
22.07.95<br />
H: 1.85 m<br />
W: 118.18 kg<br />
Hons: ~<br />
JEREMY LOUGHMAN<br />
LIAM O'CONNOR<br />
KEVIN O'BYRNE<br />
CALVIN NASH<br />
CONOR MURRAY<br />
DECLAN MOORE<br />
ALEX MCHENRY<br />
Centre<br />
07.10.97<br />
H: 1.88 m<br />
W: 95 kg<br />
Hons: Ire U20, 7s<br />
Hooker<br />
20.04.89<br />
H: 1.84 m<br />
W: 112 kg<br />
Hons: ~<br />
Scrum Half<br />
20.04.89<br />
H: 1.88 m<br />
W: 93.18 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (89 caps)<br />
Wing<br />
08.08.97<br />
H: 1.78 m<br />
W: 90 kg<br />
Hons: Ire U20<br />
Hooker<br />
16.04.91<br />
H:1.8m<br />
W: 105 kg<br />
Hons: ~<br />
Prop<br />
13.07.95<br />
H: 1.78 m<br />
W: 110 kg<br />
Hons: Ire U20<br />
JACK O'DONOGHUE<br />
Back Row<br />
08.02.94<br />
H: 1.91 m<br />
W: 109.09 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (2 caps)<br />
PETER O'MAHONY<br />
Back Row<br />
17.09.89<br />
H: 1.91 m<br />
W: 106.82 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (76 caps)<br />
Back Row<br />
01.10.98<br />
H: 1.88 m<br />
W: 100 kg<br />
Hons: Ire U20<br />
JACK O'SULLIVAN<br />
Scrum Half<br />
03.11.96<br />
H: 1.7m<br />
W: 78.18kg<br />
Hons: Ire Sch<br />
ROWAN OSBORNE<br />
JOHN RYAN<br />
Prop<br />
02.08.88<br />
H: 1.83 m<br />
W: 120 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (24 caps)<br />
Prop<br />
28.10.97<br />
H: 1.83 m<br />
W: 123.18 kg<br />
Hons: USA U20<br />
ROMAN SALANOA<br />
NIALL SCANNELL<br />
Hooker<br />
08.04.92<br />
H: 1.85 m<br />
W: 110.91 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (20 caps)<br />
RORY SCANNELL<br />
Centre<br />
22.12.93<br />
H: 1.78 m<br />
W: 95.91 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (3 caps)<br />
RG SNYMAN<br />
Lock<br />
29.01.95<br />
H: 1.2.06 m<br />
W: 116.82 kg<br />
Hons: SA (23 caps)<br />
Lock/Back Row<br />
11.12.97<br />
H: 1.93 m<br />
W: 111.82 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (1 cap)<br />
FINEEN WYCHERLEY<br />
Prop<br />
22.07.99<br />
H: 1.83 m<br />
W: 108.18 kg<br />
Hons: Ire U20<br />
JOSH WYCHERLEY<br />
SIMON ZEBO<br />
Wing<br />
16.03.90<br />
H: 1.88 m<br />
W: 99.09 kg<br />
Hons: Ire (35 caps)<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
23
MUNSTER RUGBY<br />
STARTING XV<br />
Dave Kilcoyne Niall Scannell Keynan Knox<br />
Jean Kleyn<br />
Fineen<br />
Wycherley<br />
Peter<br />
O'Mahony (C)<br />
Jack<br />
O'Donoghue<br />
Gavin<br />
Coombes<br />
Craig Casey<br />
Joey Carbery<br />
Shane Daly<br />
Rory Scannell<br />
Keith Earls<br />
Calvin Nash<br />
Mike Haley<br />
#MUNvSTO<br />
JOIN THE CONVERSATION<br />
Replacements<br />
16. Diarmuid Barron 17. Jeremy Loughman 18. Stephen Archer 19. RG Snyman<br />
20. Jack O'Sullivan 21. Rowan Osborne 22. Ben Healy 23. Simon Zebo<br />
24 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE
<strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS<br />
STARTING XV<br />
Brok Harris<br />
Scarra Ntubeni<br />
Neethling<br />
Fouche<br />
Adre Smith<br />
Salmaan<br />
Moerat<br />
Nama Xaba<br />
Willie<br />
Engelbrecht<br />
Evan Roos<br />
Stefan Ungerer<br />
Manie Libbok<br />
Leolin Zas<br />
Dan du Plessis<br />
Ruhan Nel<br />
Sergeal<br />
Petersen<br />
Warrick Gelant<br />
MATCH OFFICIALS<br />
Referee: Andy Brace (IRFU)<br />
AR1: Oisin Quinn (IRFU)<br />
AR2: Daniel Carson (IRFU)<br />
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)<br />
Replacements<br />
16. Andre-Hugo Venter 17. Leon Lyons 18. Sazi Sandi 19. Ernst van Rhyn<br />
20. Marcel Theunissen 21. Godlen Masimla 22. Tim Swiel 23. Rikus Pretorius<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
25
THE SPIRIT OF<br />
UNITED RUGBY<br />
CHAMPIONSHIP.<br />
Enjoy responsibly<br />
DISCOVER THE SPIRIT WITHIN |<br />
#SAVOURTHEMOMENT<br />
26 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE
THE LOWDOWN<br />
The <strong>DHL</strong> <strong>Stormers</strong> are based in Cape Town<br />
and line out as the <strong>DHL</strong> Western Province in<br />
the Currie Cup. They won their most recent<br />
Currie Cup title in 2017 - their third in six years<br />
and 34th overall. Earlier this year they moved<br />
from Newlands Stadium to the iconic 62,000<br />
seater Cape Town Stadium, now known as<br />
<strong>DHL</strong> Stadium, for their home games.<br />
John Dobson<br />
THE SQUAD<br />
The <strong>DHL</strong> <strong>Stormers</strong> have a number of players<br />
on the current Springbok team including Frans<br />
Malherbe, Marvin Orie, Herchel Jantjies, Damian<br />
Willemse and prop Steven Kitshoff who won<br />
his 50th Springbok cap during the Lions series.<br />
New signings ahead of the start of the season<br />
included versatile back Manie Libbok from the<br />
Sharks, lock Adre Smith, former Dragons prop<br />
Brok Harris and Hacjivah Dayimani from the<br />
Lions. Former Springbok centre Juan de Jongh<br />
made the move from Wasps in the off-season<br />
while Deon Fourie has made the move back to<br />
South Africa from Grenoble. The side recently<br />
announced that three additional players have<br />
joined on loan including loose forwards Junior<br />
Pokomela (Cheetahs) and Willie Engelbrecht<br />
(Pumas) along with scrum half Stefan Ungerer<br />
(Griquas).<br />
THE FORM GUIDE<br />
The <strong>DHL</strong> <strong>Stormers</strong> went down 22-18 to Benetton<br />
<strong>Rugby</strong> in their opening game last Saturday,<br />
despite taking an early lead with a try from<br />
Rikus Pretorius and leading 11-7 at half-time<br />
after Manie Libbok added two penalties. Ruhan<br />
Nel stretched their lead early in the second half<br />
but two tries and a penalty from the home side<br />
denied the newcomers a perfect start.<br />
THE COACHING TICKET<br />
Head Coach John Dobson is a former hooker<br />
for Western Province and started coaching<br />
the U21 side in 2010. He was appointed Head<br />
Coach in 2019 having spent four years at the<br />
helm of Western Province’s Currie Cup side.<br />
Dawie Snyman is the backline and attack<br />
coach, Norman Laker is the defence coach, Rito<br />
Hlungwani is the forwards coach and Labeeb<br />
Levy is the skills coach.<br />
EVAN ROOS<br />
Age: 21<br />
Position: Back row<br />
Form: 8 tries in 2021 Currie Cup<br />
Honours: SA Schools<br />
Height: 191cm<br />
Weight: 109kg<br />
They were beaten 49-3 by the British and Irish<br />
Lions during the summer in the last game<br />
before the first test.<br />
They finished 4th in the Currie Cup league<br />
table, winning six of their twelve games with<br />
one draw, and were beaten by the Bulls in the<br />
semi-final.<br />
ONE TO WATCH<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
27
MUNSTER RISING<br />
MUNSTER RISING<br />
MUNSTER RISING<br />
OFFICIAL MEDIA<br />
PARTNER OF<br />
MUNSTER RUGBY<br />
OFFICIAL MEDIA<br />
PARTNER OF<br />
MUNSTER RUGBY<br />
OFFICIAL MEDIA<br />
PARTNER OF<br />
28 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
29
GREENCORE MUNSTER RUGBY<br />
ACADEMY UPDATE<br />
It’s a big weekend for the Greencore <strong>Munster</strong><br />
<strong>Rugby</strong> Academy with the men’s AIL season<br />
kicking off.<br />
Academy players and members of the NTS<br />
(National Talent Squad) missed out on the<br />
valuable opportunity to line out for their clubs<br />
last season due to the cancellation of the AIL.<br />
We spoke to Academy Manager Ian Costello for<br />
the latest news from the HPC.<br />
On players training and playing with their<br />
clubs…<br />
“We have been in constant contact with the club<br />
coaches and we have released players back at<br />
various stages throughout the last few weeks.<br />
When a game was cancelled, we released<br />
everybody back and we had a down week and<br />
released everybody back. That was all with a<br />
view to acknowledging how important it is for<br />
these guys to play rugby and how important it<br />
is for them to play club rugby.<br />
“As soon as we knew who wasn’t going to be<br />
involved with the senior team and available for<br />
club action, we sat down and spoke with the<br />
clubs and there will be a lot of guys playing<br />
in the All Ireland League over the next three<br />
weeks.<br />
“The next phase for the Academy players and<br />
NTS players is to transfer the work they’ve done<br />
over the last couple of months onto the pitch<br />
and give a good account of themselves.<br />
“The exciting bit for us a coaching group is<br />
we get to split up and will watch them all play<br />
live over the weekends. Our analyst Elliot<br />
Corcoran will cut that footage and it adds to that<br />
knowledge base that we have on players.<br />
“There are a few things that are tricky logistically,<br />
they have to come out of the bubble for a number<br />
of days but the IRFU have accommodated that<br />
so hopefully we’ll see a number of Academy<br />
players playing for their clubs right across<br />
the country this weekend. Everyone is really<br />
excited and we really understand the value<br />
of these lads playing in very competitive club<br />
games and how important that is to their longterm<br />
development on and off the pitch.<br />
“The relationships we have with our clubs is<br />
so important and we’re just looking forward<br />
to seeing the lads play this week and looking<br />
forward to getting out to watch some quality<br />
club rugby.“<br />
On young players in action for the <strong>Munster</strong><br />
Development XV…<br />
“With so many guys out of rugby for so long<br />
because of the gap with Covid, we made the<br />
decision to run a residential camp in UL with<br />
our U20s and some late developers. We had<br />
a very enjoyable and successful programme<br />
there for a couple of months and on the back of<br />
that we had a game against the Leinster U20s<br />
and had a really good win in UL.<br />
“We then had a couple of internal games against<br />
our U19s because, frustratingly, we had some<br />
other games called off due to Covid.<br />
“It was great for that squad to continue,<br />
supplemented by some of the Academy players,<br />
into a development game against Ulster and<br />
that was an excellent win up in Dublin.<br />
“Last weekend against Leinster a few more<br />
Academy players came in along with some<br />
of the young senior players who came in<br />
for game-time, which is the beauty of those<br />
development games. Unfortunately, that was<br />
a very frustrating game where we struggled. It<br />
was the opposite to the Ulster game, where we<br />
started very well, and quickly found ourselves<br />
14-0 down. It was a disappointing end to the<br />
programme but it was a very enjoyable and<br />
successful three months.<br />
“The beauty of that is hopefully we have<br />
identified the next layer of talent and the<br />
majority of those players will populate our<br />
NTS (National Talent Squad) programme and<br />
populate our Academy going forward, and<br />
that was the main aim of that programme. We<br />
learned a lot about the players and have set<br />
ourselves up nicely for the next 12 months.”<br />
30 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE
Academy winger Conor Phillips starring<br />
for the Ireland Sevens in Canada...<br />
“He had an excellent pre-season here and<br />
looked really sharp. He played really well in<br />
an internal game here which was good for him<br />
and good for his confidence and he carried that<br />
into the Sevens World Series. He featured very<br />
strongly for Ireland across the two weekends,<br />
scoring six tries. “Feedback has been really<br />
positive from the staff there and from Conor<br />
himself so great to see him carry that form from<br />
the summer into those tournaments.<br />
“Hopefully his status is raised this year because<br />
I think it’s fair to say he was more peripheral<br />
when he was with the Ireland Sevens team last<br />
year, which is difficult when you’re away from<br />
home and not as centrally involved in all the big<br />
matches.<br />
“His goal is to be involved in the big games and<br />
the big weekends and I think that makes being<br />
away from home and in camp for such a long<br />
periods, and travelling for such long periods – it<br />
makes that far more enjoyable if the reward is<br />
there at the end of the weekend and he gets to<br />
perform on the big stage so really good for him<br />
all round.”<br />
Academy Manager<br />
Ian Costello<br />
Daniel Okeke<br />
Jonathan Wren<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
31
32 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE
GETTING TO KNOW<br />
JASON JENKINS<br />
Jason Jenkins has been settling into life in <strong>Munster</strong> after his arrival at the province this<br />
summer.<br />
The South African, who can play in the back<br />
or second row, joined from Toyota Verblitz<br />
who play in the Japanese Top League.<br />
ON SETTLING IN…<br />
“Very well I must say. It’s been quite easy to<br />
come into such a welcoming environment.<br />
All the boys have been good. The coaching<br />
staff just helped me settle into my new place<br />
and I’m really enjoying it so far.”<br />
ON HIS RUGBY PATHWAY…<br />
“Straight after school I went to the Bulls<br />
Juniors U19s. I was there for a couple of<br />
years and made my Super <strong>Rugby</strong> debut in<br />
2016. I played there for four seasons while<br />
also doing a six-month stint in Japan for<br />
three of those seasons as well. I played<br />
South African U20s back in 2015 and<br />
played in the South African ‘A’ team in 2016<br />
against the Saxons and against the French<br />
Barbarians. In 2018 I made my Springbok<br />
debut against Wales.”<br />
ON THE RG CONNECTION…<br />
“We’ve been best mates for quite awhile,<br />
probably around 7 years now. Obviously,<br />
the fact that he was also here was a big<br />
factor, but it wasn’t the deciding factor. It was<br />
just a bonus. For me, it was just getting the<br />
opportunity and to play really competitive<br />
rugby again coming out of Japan and to put<br />
yourself out there and challenge yourself a<br />
bit. I felt I was still at a young age, at 25, and<br />
I was ready for that challenge. I was lucky to<br />
get the opportunity and it is a bonus to have<br />
your best mate around as well.”<br />
Prior to that, he represented his home club<br />
the Bulls over four years, lining out with RG<br />
Snyman, and is widely recognised for his<br />
strong ball-carrying abilities.<br />
home. It’s going to be interesting to play<br />
against them but I’m looking forward to it.<br />
It’s exciting to be able to challenge yourself,<br />
and to see where the South African teams<br />
are compared to the European teams.<br />
Everyone’s looking forward to that.”<br />
ON LOOKING AHEAD TO THE NEW<br />
SEASON…<br />
“It’s been interesting. Obviously, the first<br />
couple of weeks you get to know the guys.<br />
I wasn’t sure who was playing where at<br />
the start. But I think we have good depth<br />
in our squad, and I think that will make<br />
our team better, the fact that we<br />
will be challenging each other.<br />
On the other hand it’s also a<br />
really long season playing in<br />
two tournaments so I’m sure<br />
all of us will get opportunities<br />
hopefully and we can keep<br />
challenging each other to<br />
get better. We want to<br />
look to win, that’s the<br />
goal. Hopefully I can<br />
contribute to that in<br />
any way possible,<br />
whether it’s playing<br />
or preparing the<br />
guys, so I’m really<br />
looking forward<br />
to it.”<br />
ON PLAYING AGAINST HIS FORMER SIDE,<br />
THE BULLS, THIS SEASON…<br />
“I think it’s going to be really interesting.<br />
The Bulls has been my home for the last<br />
4 or 5 years. I’ve got a lot of friends back<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
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MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
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RUGBY DEVELOPMENT NEWS<br />
UPCOMING COACHING<br />
COURSES<br />
learning and development. This season will see<br />
a further evolvement of our eLearning system,<br />
GAINLINE, and the implementation of more<br />
short pre-course modules. In addition, we will<br />
look at delivering more face-to-face events to<br />
ensure we build on the coach’s development<br />
and maintain their active badge criteria.”<br />
NEW YOUTH TEAM IN<br />
WATERFORD<br />
<strong>Munster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> will deliver several coaching<br />
courses again this autumn for coaches at<br />
mini, youth and advanced levels. The courses<br />
are designed to support coach learning and<br />
development with a specific focus on developing<br />
the coach, player and game.<br />
There are eight courses announced, four each<br />
at mini and youth levels to accommodate<br />
coaches across the province. The Coaching<br />
Children Course (mini rugby) is designed to<br />
support coaches of U6-U12 age groups and<br />
focuses on the coach acting as a guide to<br />
enhance the players understanding of the game<br />
whilst integrating fun and inclusivity. The Youth<br />
Coaching Course is designed to support coaches<br />
of U13-U16 age groups and also coaches who<br />
are new to coaching 15-a-side rugby.<br />
Registration is now open and can be accessed<br />
HERE.<br />
Announcing this season’s schedule of courses,<br />
<strong>Munster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> Coach and Player Development<br />
Manager Keith Murphy said:<br />
Waterford City RFC and Tramore RFC have<br />
come together to form a new Youth <strong>Rugby</strong> team<br />
known as Waterford <strong>Rugby</strong>.<br />
The aim of the new team is to provide a clear<br />
pathway for the Minis players from both<br />
Waterford City RFC and Tramore RFC to<br />
continue with the sport as they get older. It is<br />
also hoped that by forming a dedicated Youth<br />
section between the two clubs, Waterford<br />
<strong>Rugby</strong> will also be able to recruit children who<br />
have never played the sport in addition to those<br />
who want to return to playing rugby in the East<br />
Waterford area.<br />
Currently, Waterford <strong>Rugby</strong> consists of an U13/<br />
U14 team with the hope of moving up to U15/<br />
U16 next season.<br />
The team played their first match at the weekend<br />
against Dungarvan RFC with many of the players<br />
experiencing 15-a-side rugby for the first time.<br />
Training sessions are held on Thursday evenings<br />
(Waterford City RFC) and Sunday mornings<br />
(Tramore RFC). For more information, please<br />
contact Tony McCahill at tonymccahill1@gmail.com.<br />
“We are delighted to be announcing this<br />
season’s coaching courses. Covid restricted our<br />
approach in coach development regarding faceto-face<br />
activities and challenged our traditional<br />
coach development methodology. It is great<br />
to see such a quick transition into blended<br />
learning and supporting coaches continuous<br />
The Waterford <strong>Rugby</strong> U13/14 side that<br />
took on Dungarvan last weekend<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
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5,000 FREE <strong>Munster</strong> Junior<br />
Supporters Club memberships<br />
Registration opens Mon 4th October!<br />
Proud Sponsors of Junior <strong>Munster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong> Supporters Club<br />
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38 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE
MRSC NEWS<br />
FREE JUNIOR CLUB MEMBERSHIP<br />
OPENS 4 OCTOBER<br />
We’ve had an amazing 12 months with<br />
the Junior MRSC including Q&A’s with<br />
our heroes, hearing great stories from our<br />
captain, making comic books, completing<br />
drills and we even had Damian de Allende<br />
sing “Let It Go”! With our sponsors Inver,<br />
we’ve also spoken about important topics<br />
such internet safety, physical activity and<br />
developing a positive mindset and we will<br />
continue to talk about important topics to<br />
help our Junior members develop.<br />
As we go forward over the next year, we will<br />
be looking to bring back some of the events<br />
we all love with the Junior Club, and we<br />
will continue to offer the next generation of<br />
<strong>Munster</strong> fans the best experience possible<br />
with:<br />
• A membership pack delivered for<br />
Christmas which includes an exclusive gift<br />
• Chances to be selected as match day<br />
mascot for the <strong>Munster</strong> team throughout<br />
the season<br />
• Junior Club only member events<br />
throughout the year<br />
• Exclusive competitions with great prizes<br />
• Our exclusive email newsletter<br />
FREE membership will once again be open<br />
for registration from 4 October next.<br />
O’RIORDAN RAISES 17K FOR<br />
MUNSTER’S CHARITIES<br />
MRSC member Ivan O'Riordan is a wellknown<br />
face at <strong>Munster</strong> games, having<br />
taken photos pitch side at <strong>Munster</strong> games<br />
for many years at home and on the road,<br />
including Marseilles, Treviso, Exeter and<br />
Milton Keynes.<br />
A huge <strong>Munster</strong> supporter, Ivan has gone<br />
to fantastic lengths to not only support the<br />
team, but to also support <strong>Munster</strong>’s official<br />
charities. Since 2012, Ivan has raised €17k<br />
through the sale of his rugby photos.<br />
This season, he hopes to reach €20k by<br />
offering his photos for sale online.<br />
On behalf of <strong>Munster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong>, we wish<br />
to thank Ivan for his incredible efforts<br />
in supporting our official charities and<br />
capturing so many special moments.<br />
Ivan presenting Andrew Conway with a<br />
photo of his try against Toulon in 2018<br />
Ivan's photo of Simon Zebo's hat-trick in the away European<br />
match against Northampton Saints in 2012<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
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MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
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PROGRESS ON AND OFF THE PITCH<br />
FOR KILRUSH RFC<br />
Earlier this month, Kilrush RFC reached a<br />
milestone in the club’s development as the<br />
they fielded an adult junior team for the<br />
first time in five years.<br />
The West Clare club have been working<br />
hard to further develop their underage<br />
structures and this has helped generate<br />
players who are ready and available for<br />
adult rugby.<br />
“The last number of years, the numbers<br />
haven’t really been there for many socioeconomic<br />
reasons but the great thing now<br />
is that we’re starting to see a resurgence of<br />
that,” Kilrush RFC Director of <strong>Rugby</strong> Andy<br />
Burke said.<br />
“It’s great to have it back because it really<br />
is the soul and the driving force behind<br />
the club to have a junior team back going<br />
again. It’s a great achievement, and like<br />
that, if it wasn’t for our volunteer base who<br />
work so hard to generate the momentum,<br />
to put all the infrastructure and the<br />
administrative structures in place in order<br />
to get that team up and running again, then<br />
we wouldn’t be here.”<br />
The strong emphasis the club has put on<br />
its underage sides over the last 10 years<br />
has seen players from the club represent<br />
<strong>Munster</strong> at age-grade interprovincial level.<br />
Now that an adult junior side is in place,<br />
Burke hopes that players will remain with<br />
the club or those who return to West Clare<br />
to settle down can now avail of an adult<br />
rugby offering.<br />
“We really believe that a lot more people<br />
since the pandemic are staying local,<br />
looking to live local, operate remotely and<br />
we can benefit off that by having the team<br />
available for them. This is a really positive<br />
move for us.”<br />
The club are also looking forward to the<br />
formal opening of their second, full-sized<br />
pitch in the coming weeks with the next<br />
phase of that project being the installation<br />
of LED floodlights.<br />
Looking into the future, the club are<br />
still passionate about fielding an adult<br />
women’s side as they currently have strong<br />
structures in place at underage level while<br />
they hope the return of junior rugby will<br />
generate more momentum and excitement<br />
in all areas of the club.<br />
For more information on playing with<br />
Kilrush RFC at any level, please email<br />
andyburke78@gmail.com<br />
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GREENCORE MUNSTER<br />
RUGBY ACADEMY PROFILE<br />
CIAN HURLEY<br />
Twenty-one-year-old lock, Cian Hurley hails from Clonakilty and made his <strong>Munster</strong><br />
senior debut against Benetton <strong>Rugby</strong> in March this year at age 20. Paired with Thomas<br />
Ahern in the second row, they became the youngest starting combination for <strong>Munster</strong><br />
<strong>Rugby</strong> in the professional era.<br />
He is a product of Clonakilty RFC and CBC, and plays AIL rugby with Garryowen FC. He<br />
was recently involved in Ian Costello’s <strong>Munster</strong> Development XV against Leinster.<br />
ON HIS RUGBY PATHWAY…<br />
“I started playing rugby when I was<br />
about 8 years of age. I spent my younger<br />
years living in South Africa so I would<br />
have grown up playing rugby there in<br />
Johannesburg. Once we moved to Ireland<br />
– my parents are Irish – we settled down in<br />
Clonakilty and just started taking my rugby<br />
seriously from then. I was 13, so I was<br />
playing U14 rugby at the time in Clonakilty<br />
<strong>Rugby</strong> Club. I got the opportunity to go<br />
to Christian Brothers College in Cork and<br />
won the Senior Cup with them<br />
in 6th Year. I managed to get<br />
back to Clonakilty and played<br />
two junior games with them<br />
and actually won a junior cup,<br />
which was great craic. I<br />
came out of school and<br />
came to UL to study<br />
Social Management. I<br />
joined Garryowen and<br />
played a bit of AIL last<br />
year which was great<br />
exposure.”<br />
ON REPRESENTING<br />
MUNSTER…<br />
“I played all of the underage<br />
levels all the way up. I<br />
started with the U16s down<br />
in CIT with Ken O’Connell<br />
and Eugene McCarthy, who is<br />
another West Cork man. I played<br />
U18 Schools and <strong>Munster</strong> A's.<br />
During that time I represented<br />
Ireland U18s as well.”<br />
ON HIS EXPERIENCE OF THE<br />
GREENCORE MUNSTER RUGBY<br />
ACADEMY SO FAR…<br />
“Good. I’m really enjoying it. Obviously<br />
it's great that there is a mixture between<br />
the Academy lads and the senior lads.<br />
I’ve really settled in, and the lads have just<br />
made it very, very easy for me to do that.”<br />
ON MAKING HIS DEBUT IN THOMOND<br />
PARK LAST SEASON…<br />
“It was an incredible honour. I was thrilled<br />
when I got the call off Johann to get in and<br />
I was delighted to start that game and play<br />
the full thing. Now it’s about picking up the<br />
next one as quickly as I can. I want to keep<br />
improving, keep pushing and get a couple<br />
of more appearances hopefully…get<br />
in front of the senior coaches and<br />
show them what I’m capable<br />
of doing. Hopefully I can take<br />
my opportunities and run<br />
with them.”<br />
ON DEPTH AT SECOND<br />
ROW…<br />
“There’s a lot of competition<br />
there but at the same time,<br />
there’s a lot of opportunity for<br />
learning. There’s a lot of fellas<br />
offering different mindsets<br />
coming off different squads,<br />
like RG coming back in and he<br />
was part of a World Cup winning<br />
squad. It’s great to learn from<br />
him. It just drives us all on and I<br />
think we are all quite competitive,<br />
so we really get the best out of each<br />
other.”<br />
MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
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46 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE
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MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
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MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />
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