FORMER SCHOOLS RUGBY sensation Diarmuid McCarthy has been training with Munster during the Six Nations period.
The former Castletroy College star has been called up to train alongside Anthony Foley’s senior squad with numbers down due to international commitments. At least four other club players have also been training with Munster, as is normal at this time of the season.
McCarthy is a particularly interesting case, having largely been off the radar since excelling in the 2008 Munster Schools Senior Cup.
The centre scored two excellent tries in Castletroy’s semi-final win over PBC that year, before delivering a stunning 40-metre solo try in a man-of-the-match performance during the 21-15 victory over CBC in the final.
McCarthy played for the Ireland U18s at a Six Nations Festival in Cork in 2008, and appeared to be destined for the professional game thanks to his remarkable footwork, pace, appreciation for space and power in contact.
However, the Limerick man opted to take a break from playing rugby rather than accept Munster’s offer to enter their academy system after school, before returning with club side Garryowen in 2009.
McCarthy’s involvement in the game has been intermittent ever since, but he joined Young Munster this season and has been impressing in midfield for their seconds team, as well as joining up with the Cookies senior squad.
Munster’s interest in the exceptional raw talent of the centre, who has also played on the wing, has never truly faded and his return to playing has piqued their interest again.
Foley’s coaching staff have invited McCarthy into the set-up during the Six Nations, although there is no certainty that any contractual interest will arise from the training stint.
Bringing club and academy players into the senior squad during the spring months is common across the provinces, but the sheer talent and underage playing history of McCarthy means he remains an intriguing prospect.
There is a name from the past, was an excellent talent in schools.
Great news. Great talent. Best of luck to him!
Munster’s best under age prospect is 25?!? This news along with just 1 Munster player in the Irish u20′s doesn’t bode well for future
I think your thinking of jack o donoghue buddy
I thought it was Ciaran Kilkenny for a second when I looked at the 1st picture!
Chris Ashton myself…
I remember seeing this Kid playing in that ’08 final at 13 and the fantastic individual try he scored, he had some wonderful turn of pace and acceleration – hopefully he hasn’t lost that talent, very best of luck to him with this opportunity.
Are you a friend of his Murray? Bigging the lad up on the basis of schools matches seven years ago is a bit odd…!
If you don’t know the story best to stay quite. The fact this guy is back playing rugby at all is good news let alone at a potentially professional level. He was a real talent not just in rugby, so it’s not on the basis of a couple of games.
So Robsonkean your a self-proclaimed Connacht diehard but you have notting to comment about on the story about Robbie Hensaw ?but you never seem to fail to find something to comment about on nearly every Munster related story!
Go Robsons admitted deep down you know your a Munster man ture and true :-)
His name is Paul Sheehan and he is from Dungarven in Waterford.
RobsonKeane = Paul Sheehan
Know your troll
Best of luck to Diarmuid … One of our own .
Mar a duirt se …..form is temporary .class is permanent …
Talk about scraping the barrel.. Is this the best foley can do, my god.. Desperation!
I think you’re missing the point … They’ll hardly be relying on this guy. He was probably the best schools prospect in many years and then had a tough transition to adult life, so much so he completely fell off the radar. He’s training with them, if something does come of it then it’s a hell of a story and if not, good to see the guy playing the sport again at whatever level.