Former GAA star Ben O'Connor moves into third season with Munster academy as two Cork players join
Ben O'Connor is heading into his third year with the Munster Academy. Picture: INPHO/Steve Haag Sports
Former Cork underage hurling star Ben O'Connor will spend another year in the Munster academy system before stepping up to the senior ranks.
An All-Ireland winner at minor and U20, he also contributed hugely to St Finbarr's senior county title triumph in 2022 when he was just 18. However, the lure of professional rugby proved too strong for O'Connor, whose rugby brilliance was first showcased with Pres.
He has already been capped at senior level with Munster and was outstanding with the Ireland U20s and is expected to push on and become a key player for the Reds.
Munster also announced there will be five new additions to their academy squad for the new season: Emmet Calvey, Conor Kennelly, Oisín Minogue, Eoghan Smyth and Tom Wood.
Two of the newcomers hail from Cork.
Highfield second-row Kennelly went to CBC. The 19-year-old made three appearances for the Ireland U20s in the 2025 Six Nations.
Cork Con centre Smyth, who went to Midleton College, played in all five of Ireland's U20 Six Nations games this year.
Out-half Wood is the son of Munster great and former Ireland captain Keith Wood. His brother, Gordon, is also an academy squad member. Minogue is the son of former Ireland international Rosie Foley and the nephew of Munster legend and former head coach Anthony Foley.
20-year-old prop Calvey is a Clare native who played schools rugby with Ardscoil Rís.
Academy products Fionn Gibbons, Shay McCarthy, Evan O’Connell, Ruadhán Quinn and Kieran Ryan have been promoted to the senior squad while prop Darragh McSweeney has had his time in the academy extended due to his development being hampered by injury.
George Hadden, Dylan Hicks, Darragh McSweeney, Ben O’Connor, Max Clein, Ronan Foxe.
Jake O’Riordan, Gene O’Leary Kareem, Michael Foy, Danny Sheahan, Seán Edogbo, Luke Murphy, Gordon Wood.
Emmet Calvey, Conor Kennelly, Oisín Minogue, Eoghan Smyth, Tom Wood.
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