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Daly scoring in the final against England. Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Ireland U20 star Daly one of 7 new faces in Munster academy

Lock Sean O’Connor and hooker Vincent O’Brien are also among the year one recruits.

WORLD RUGBY U20 Championship finalists Shane Daly, Sean O’Connor and Vincent O’Brien are among seven new recruits to Munster’s academy this season.

With out-half Bill Johnston moving into year two of the academy, the Wolfpup centre, lock and hooker will be joined by back rows Gavin Coombes and John Foley of Bandon Grammar and Shannon. Crescent’s Calvin Nash will aim to partner or rival Daly in midfield and Roscrea’s Fineen Wycherley will lend his weight to the second row.

Six players have left the province after a spell in the academy. Gearoid Lyons and Jack Cullen have signed professional deals with Nottingham and London Scottish respectively, while the Cork Con trio of Tomas Quinlan, Darragh Moloney and Ryan Foley, plus Shannon’s Niall Horan, depart the programme.

Rory Burke and Greg O’Shea have been given an extra year in the programme on account of prolonged spells injured which stunted their development.

Munster academy 2016/17

Year 3: Rory Burke (Prop/Cork Con), Greg O’Shea (Winger/Shannon), Stephen Fitzgerald (Fullback/Shannon), Dan Goggin (Centre/Young Munster), Brian Scott (Prop/Dolphin).

Year 2: Ned Hodson (Centre/Cork Con), Bill Johnston (Outhalf/Garryowen), Ben Kilkenny (Backrow/Young Munster), Ollie Lyons (Backrow/Shannon), Steven McMahon (Winger/Garryowen), Liam O’Connor (Prop/Cork Con), Conor Oliver (Backrow/Garryowen), JP Phelan (Prop/Garryowen).

Year 1: Gavin Coombes (Backrow/Bandon Grammar), Shane Daly (Centre/Cork Con), John Foley (Backrow/Shannon RFC), Calvin Nash (Centre/Crescent College Comprehensive), Vincent O’Brien (Hooker/Cork Con), Sean O’Connor (Lock/Cashel), Fineen Wycherley (Lock/Roscrea CC).

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