Munster Rugby confirm signing of front row forward to Academy

MUNSTER have confirmed the signing of prop Darragh O’Connell as their ninth addition to their Year One Academy crop

The Corkman has lined out for Munster U18 clubs, Munster U19s and the U20 side. He has also been called up to the Irish U19s.

He lined out for a Munster Development squad at the age of just 18 in 2023 and captained Muskerry to the South Munster Development Cup in May 2024.

Darragh has also played with the Munster Club Select Programme (CSP) in the Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup along with fellow Academy member Christian Foley. He featured for Munster A against Leinster A in December 2024.

He plays his AIL rugby with UCC and has made 28 appearances for the club at a number of levels since making his debut in September 2024.

O’Connell is progressing well with his recovery from a foot injury and is on track to return for UCC this month.

Academy & Pathway Manager Gar Prendergast said: “Darragh is a hugely exciting addition to the Academy. He has shown over recent years that he is an extremely talented player but has also shown great resilience in dealing with the many challenges associated with a long-term injury.

"We are very much looking forward to working with Darragh and supporting him with his continued development.

“We now have four props in the Academy as Darragh joins Emmet Calvey, Jamie Conway, and Christian Foley. They are all playing senior rugby in the All Ireland League and that is a crucial stage in the development of all our young players, especially front row forwards.

“Seán Cronin is now our Academy & Pathway Scrum Coach along with his main role as a Provincial Talent Coach. Sean is working with our Academy, NTS (National Talent Squad), and schools and club players that we've identified through our talent ID process.

“There are very exciting young front-rows coming through and Seán is working closely with the IRFU Performance Pathway Scrum Coach Seamus Toomey.

“There are also a number of identified coaches in our schools and clubs, including former pro players, who are working with our young front rows and are aligned with Seán’s scrum programme and indeed Seamus Toomey’s.”