CONNACHT COACH PETE Wilkins says that prolific try scorer Diarmuid Kilgallen is moving to Munster because he believes he will get more game-time there.
The 23-year old from Kildare has scored 12 tries in 22 appearances — Mack Hansen has struck for 11 in 32 games — since coming through the Connacht academy and his sharp eye for the line had made him a hit with fans.
But with Argentine international Santiago Cordero poised to come into the reckoning when he recovers from the knee injury which has sidelined him since he arrived in Galway last summer and Hansen also soon to be back in action, it leaves little space for Kilgallen and a host of other wingers and back three players.
And with Andrew Conway having to retire through injury earlier in this campaign and Simon Zebo possibly finishing with Munster when his contract expires in the summer, Kilgallen has told Wilkins he fancies his chances of more game-time there.
“DK is a really popular member of the squad,” said Wilkins. “I have a lot of time for him. He’s been really effective as a finisher for us. He has that point of difference.
He had the opportunity to go to Munster, the opportunity to stay here as well, and he’s chosen to go. We are disappointed he is going but also understand his reasons.
“Our back three is hugely competitive. Obviously, we have had injuries there, but when you are looking at a back three of Cordero, Hansen, Porch, Smith now on the radar, Bolton has established himself as well, I get it if he is looking for more rugby and in a position group it’s probably looking a bit emptier there in terms of Munster.”
Kilgallen, a product of Naas RFC and Cistercian College, Roscrea, made his debut against Munster in 2020 in the final game of the season at the Aviva Stadium, and his first try was also at headquarters when he scored against Ulster in October 2021.
Kilgallen, who has missed a chunk of this season through injury but is now back available for selection, will bid for a place in the Munster back three and Wilkins understands why he is going as he does not believe they are stronger than Connacht in that department.
“I don’t think so in terms of the numbers pushing for places with the retirements they have got coming at the end of this season,” added Wilkins. “He sees more opportunity to play more regular rugby there. I would have liked him to stay but I understand his reason for going with those fives names I’ve mentioned plus some exciting guys coming through our academy. We won’t be falling short in that area.
It is disappointing, as I have said, but it’s probably a reflection on the programme. It is not just us taking players from other provinces as people often talk about, it’s other guys looking at the players we are developing through our academy and bringing to top level rugby.”
Munster head coach Graham Rowntree, who this week added Billy Burns to his squad for next season to replace Bordeaux-bound Joey Carbery, is excited about the talents he believes Kilgallen will bring to his side.
“Pace, athleticism, height, you see the way we want to play with our backs are back swinging, aerially he is very good as well, very similar to Shane Daly. I met him at Thomond Park a few months ago, we were talking to him and he’s just excited about joining us. But they are the qualities I think will really come through.
“It’s irrelevant how he was presented to us, but I ended up speaking to him and I was mightily impressed by him,” said Rowntree.
Sensible signing. Has an excellent strike rate. Young. Doesn’t tie up an NIQ spot. Munsters back 3 option for 24/25 – Haley, Daly, Nash, Kilgallen, Ben O’Connor, Shay McCarthy, Pa Campbell, Coombes, Zebo*
@Steve Mccarthy: Sean O’Brien too, although he’s supposed to be a centre. This lad seems hungry, interested to see how he goes.
@Thesaltyurchin: purposely left him off the back 3 list. He was signed as a 12/13 option. Whilst he’s done a job at 11/14 this season, I’d prefer him to be utilised at his original position alongside Frisch, Nanks, Scannell, etc. if we’re lookikg for 10/12/13/15 options, we should look no further than Frawley. Thats a conversation for another article.
Sounds like a bit of ‘cope’ from Wilkins. Kilgallon got an opportunity from a bigger club and I look forward to see what he can do at munster
@munsterman: I think the same. He can name who he likes. Out of who Connaught have in the back 3, only Kilgallen & Hansen would interest me. The rest of them are all iterations of the same player
@mWhSNsK2: I like Bolton aswell tbf. And both gavin especially & Tracey looked good for the u20s
@mWhSNsK2: I could say the same about Munster. Nash and Hayley and the rest are iterations of the same player
@munsterman: Stay classy
@mWhSNsK2: I mean I’m not sure that you can say this, considering that at least at one point Cordero would’ve been one of the best wingers in the world with ball in hand…
@Scott Campbell: “best wingers in the world” are picked for their international sides for world cups. Calm down with the hyperbole
@mWhSNsK2: selective quoting there Tony.
@munsterman: Jesus, you love a bit of spite down there, don’t ye?
@Peter Slattery: You’ve not been watching the 6n eh? Spite levels are at a high rn, not really isolated to one ‘area’
Hope it works out for him, and with Conway retired, he is pretty much as close to as like to like a replacement as Munster could get. I always like to see players backing themselves to get into the first team on the back of hard work in training, as opposed to moving to a club where it is maybe easier to get into the team, but at the same time a player at his prime will want to be playing week in week out, and he will likely be doing that at Munster.
@JoeVlogs:
Agree with you… Connacht good cover in the position and we have two U20 for Ireland coming through as well…
This is a good move all round and if Munster had excess in a position it should be shared back and they have done it too..
Connacht seriously need a out half older than 20 and younger than 30 fast… Our two out halves turn 32 this summer.. We need somone to run the club…
Joe don’t shoot me but how about Ross Byrne? He is not on the international scene, he is only 28 and he has oceans ability and opportunity to be a running outhalf in Connacht… Harry is now number one in Leinster and Prendergast and Frawley there too…
|Strangely I think Connacht might be the spark for him.. Too long under a big shadow, it a chance for him to be the big fish in a team set up.
Bad for Irish rugby , Munster have a lot of good prospects on the wing that need game time which this move will dilute . Best move is to let Cordero go and give DK the starting spot – he has earned it too
@Owen ODonoghue: You gonna chip in to pay up Cordero’s contract?
Rumours connacht are going to have to let go a lot of players due to new stand building next season, great to see Munster signing all round them…. one rule for some etc
@Mark Anthony McNally: Munster loosing Carberry,Snyman & most likely Zebo. Also possible POM may not be around next season so there is some scope for new signings within the current wage budget.
@TL55: and there’s talks of Archer & Kilcoyne retiring too
@mWhSNsK2: Conway gone earlier in the season aswell
@TL55: plus the two boys mentioned , Earls and Conway
@Ciaran Kennedy: Earls & Conway already off the payroll.
@TL55: and have already lost Healy and Flannery. Likely will lose Frisch too eventually if France cap him in the summer.
Utter muck. Kilgallen would have been first choice on right wing with Hansen on the left wing. Real issue is having to play with absolute muck at 9 and 10. Wish him the best and a wise choice for a young lad
@Fintan O’Halloran: JJ hasn’t ran Connacht’s back line in any great shape, which has led to Blade having to call plays from ruck at times. Which doesn’t work. Carty is an orchestra conducter, but he was flogged last year, and while he’s never lost that key ability, at times, he really hasn’t looked up to speed in the other avenues of 10. I think Connacht really need a young 10 or an import 10 to steady ship. Ala Keatley 09 or Parks 2013.
@David Hickey:
I saying earlier that Ross Byrne isn’t getting many minutes in Leinster anymore… Harry, Prendergast and Frawley are there…
It might not seem the sexy choice but could very effective..
Gutted we’ve lost him but understand his reasons for going.
If he can stay healthy, you have a great signing @munster fans.
Hoping to see him and Bolton on the pitch before the season ends.
2 big lads on the wing who have some pace…
I think always that Connacht should recruit young players who are IQ (including overflowed (sub) academy players of other provinces). For good examples are Treacy and Naughton this year. Maybe Treacy( who seems gifted ball game playerat all sports) will be above Kilgallen in a few years.
I think that Cordero maybe cannot adapt the artificial turf even in next season.
There are many IQ rugby players abroad who want to play in Ireland. Some luckey ones come Irish school, but others have no chances. Hansen, Jansen, Bolton and Mullins are all IQ (and through no Irish school).
Ireland need club grown and no ‘School’ IQ players.
I expect Chay Mullins after Olympics this summer who already became one of starters of 7′s. He has big size and can run fast and fought against Dupont.
@ciaran oconnor: what you’re describing is 100% what Connacht are already doing, relying on NIQs and lads that don’t make the academy in other provinces
@ciaran oconnor:
Agree with you… After the Olympics there could be a couple of nice signings there..