New Munster Rugby Academy Recruits Confirmed
Munster Rugby can confirm five new additions to the Academy squad ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The new Academy recruits are Emmet Calvey, Conor Kennelly, Oisín Minogue, Eoghan Smyth and Tom Wood.
As previously confirmed, Fionn Gibbons, Shay McCarthy, Evan O’Connell, Ruadhán Quinn and Kieran Ryan have been promoted to the senior squad for the 2025/26 season.
Ben O’Connor will spend one more year in the Academy before moving up to the senior squad ahead of the 2026/27 season.
After completing his third year in the Academy this season, prop Darragh McSweeney extends his time in the Academy after injury hampered his development.
See player bios for the new Academy additions below and scroll down for the full 2025/26 Munster Rugby Academy squad.
New Academy Recruits
Emmet Calvey
Position: Prop
Age: 20 (10/05/2005)
From Newmarket-on-Fergus in Co. Clare, Shannon RFC clubman Emmet Calvey is an Ireland U20 international who played schools rugby with Ardscoil Rís.
He made his 6 Nations debut for the Ireland U20s against Wales as an under-19 in February 2024 and also lined out in the 2024 World Championship in South Africa.
He lined out for a Munster Development team in 2023 and Munster A in this season’s Interprovincial Championship but missed this year’s Ireland U20 campaign due to injury.
Conor Kennelly
Position: Lock
Age: 19 (02/12/2005)
Highfield RFC lock Conor Kennelly is an Ireland U20s international and former Christian Brothers College student.
He lined out with fellow Academy member Michael Foy in back-to-back Pinergy Munster Schools Boys Senior Cup finals with CBC in 2023 and 2024.
He featured for the Ireland U20s against Wales, France and Italy in the 2025 6 Nations Championship.
Oisín Minogue
Position: Flanker
Age: 19 (13/10/2005)
Shannon RFC clubman Oisín Minogue is an Ireland U20 international who came up through the ranks at Ballina-Killaloe RFC and St Munchin’s College.
He was a Munster Schools Junior Cup winner with St Munchin’s in 2020 as they shared the title with CBC.
Oisín played for the Ireland U20s against England and Scotland in the 2025 6 Nations Championship. He is the son of former Ireland international Rosie Foley and nephew of Anthony Foley.
Eoghan Smyth
Position: Centre
Age: 19 (06/07/2005)
Eoghan Smyth is a Cork Constitution FC clubman who came up through the ranks at Midleton RFC and Midleton College.
He played in all five Ireland U20s games in the 2025 6 Nations Championship.
In his first year out of school last season, Smyth was playing in Division 1A of the All Ireland League with Cork Constitution.
Tom Wood
Position: Out-half
Age: 19 (14/02/2006)
Tom Wood is a Garryowen FC clubman who came up through the ranks at Ballina-Killaloe RFC and St Munchin’s College.
Despite still being eligible for the Ireland U19s this season, he made three appearances for the Ireland U20s in the 6 Nations and started against France and Italy.
He lined out for Munster A in the Interprovincial Championship earlier this year. His brother, Gordon, is also an Academy member and his father is former Ireland international Keith Wood.
2025/26 Munster Rugby Academy Squad
Year 3: George Hadden, Dylan Hicks, Darragh McSweeney, Ben O’Connor, Max Clein, Ronan Foxe.
Year 2: Jake O’Riordan, Gene O’Leary Kareem, Michael Foy, Danny Sheahan, Seán Edogbo, Luke Murphy, Gordon Wood.
Year 1: Emmet Calvey, Conor Kennelly, Oisin Minogue, Eoghan Smyth, Tom Wood.
As with previous seasons, there may be more additions to the Academy squad throughout the campaign.
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