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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 />

3


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4 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE


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 />

6 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE


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 />

9


Supporting the Red Army<br />

On & Off the Field<br />

Official Medical & Sports Injury<br />

Partner to <strong>Munster</strong> <strong>Rugby</strong><br />

@medicarefirstaid<br />

@physiologix_sports<br />

10 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE


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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 />

37


5,000 FREE <strong>Munster</strong> Junior<br />

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Registration opens Mon 4th October!<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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42 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE


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 />

MUNSTER V <strong>DHL</strong> STORMERS | 02.10.21 | THOMOND PARK<br />

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44 WWW.MUNSTERRUGBY.IE


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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