MUNSTER HAVE CONFIRMED the final list of players leaving the province as the 2014/15 season ends.
Along with the previously confirmed exits of Paul O’Connell, JJ Hanrahan, Alan Cotter, Sean Dougall and Paddy Butler, Munster have announced that Johne Murphy, Ivan Dineen, Barry O’Mahony, Andrew Smith and Martin Kelly will leave.
Andrew Smith's departure has been officially confirmed. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
Australian centre Smith signed a one-year deal when he joined from the Brumbies last summer, going on to make 21 appearances and starting last weekend’s Guinness Pro12 final against Glasgow.
Former Leicester wing Murphy has been with Munster since 2010, but injuries affected his chances of breaking back into the team this season. The 30-year-old is a former Ireland Wolfhounds and Emerging Ireland international.
Cork man Dineen has had limited chances to show his ability in the past season, although he was superb off the bench in the 65-10 hammering of Sale Sharks at Thomond Park in the Champions Cup pool stages.
Prop Kelly departs after a single season with Munster on a development contract, having impressed for Trinity and Leinster A before heading south to join Anthony Foley’s squad. Kelly is another player who had injury issues during the campaign.
Barry O'Mahony leaves after two seasons. Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
O’Mahony, brother of Munster wing Ronan, departs after making four appearances for Munster over the last two seasons. The 28-year-old Limerick man earned his chance in the professional game with his superb performances for Clontarf FC in the Ulster Bank League.
It had been thought that wing Luke O’Dea and hooker Eusebio Guiñazú would also be leaving Munster this summer, but the province says there is no confirmation on whether that pair will be staying or departing.
A spokesperson for Munster stated that both are ongoing cases and as such there is no official word on whether either or both of O’Dea and Guiñazú will be leaving.
Munster departures:
Paul O’Connell
JJ Hanrahan
Damien Varley
Sean Dougall
Paddy Butler
Alan Cotter
Johne Murphy
Barry O’Mahony
Andrew Smith
Ivan Dineen
Martin Kelly
Munster arrivals for 2015/16:
Francis Saili
Tomás O’Leary
Jordan Coghlan (development)
Peter McCabe (development)
Munster confirm departures of five more players ahead of next season
MUNSTER HAVE CONFIRMED the final list of players leaving the province as the 2014/15 season ends.
Along with the previously confirmed exits of Paul O’Connell, JJ Hanrahan, Alan Cotter, Sean Dougall and Paddy Butler, Munster have announced that Johne Murphy, Ivan Dineen, Barry O’Mahony, Andrew Smith and Martin Kelly will leave.
Australian centre Smith signed a one-year deal when he joined from the Brumbies last summer, going on to make 21 appearances and starting last weekend’s Guinness Pro12 final against Glasgow.
The 29-year-old recently expressed disappointment that he wouldn’t be able to remain with Munster, also stating that he was open to the idea of joining another club in Europe.
Former Leicester wing Murphy has been with Munster since 2010, but injuries affected his chances of breaking back into the team this season. The 30-year-old is a former Ireland Wolfhounds and Emerging Ireland international.
Cork man Dineen has had limited chances to show his ability in the past season, although he was superb off the bench in the 65-10 hammering of Sale Sharks at Thomond Park in the Champions Cup pool stages.
Prop Kelly departs after a single season with Munster on a development contract, having impressed for Trinity and Leinster A before heading south to join Anthony Foley’s squad. Kelly is another player who had injury issues during the campaign.
O’Mahony, brother of Munster wing Ronan, departs after making four appearances for Munster over the last two seasons. The 28-year-old Limerick man earned his chance in the professional game with his superb performances for Clontarf FC in the Ulster Bank League.
It had been thought that wing Luke O’Dea and hooker Eusebio Guiñazú would also be leaving Munster this summer, but the province says there is no confirmation on whether that pair will be staying or departing.
A spokesperson for Munster stated that both are ongoing cases and as such there is no official word on whether either or both of O’Dea and Guiñazú will be leaving.
Munster departures:
Paul O’Connell
JJ Hanrahan
Damien Varley
Sean Dougall
Paddy Butler
Alan Cotter
Johne Murphy
Barry O’Mahony
Andrew Smith
Ivan Dineen
Martin Kelly
Munster arrivals for 2015/16:
Francis Saili
Tomás O’Leary
Jordan Coghlan (development)
Peter McCabe (development)
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Andrew Smith Anthony Foley Barry O'Mahony Departures exit door JJ Hanrahan Leaving Martin Kelly Munster Paul O'Connell