Two Limerick rising stars confirmed as new additions to the Munster Rugby Academy

LIMERICK’S Luke Murphy and Jake O’Riordan have earned a call-up to the Munster rugby academy squad of the 2024/2025 season. 

Luke Murphy started out his rugby career with Shannon RFC and he was part of the Shannon RFC team senior team where the 19 year-old lined out in Divsion 1A of the men’s All-Ireland league. Murphy played for Ardscoil Rís in his secondary school days. The back row has been part of the Munster underage side’s coming up along the ranks. Murphy established himself in the Irish U20 team during the six nations this year and he has been named in the Ireland squad for this summer’s World Rugby U20 Championship.

Jake O’Riordan represented UL Bohemian’s RFC throughout the 2023/2024 AIL season. The scrum half impressed with his performances for Munster Development/Munster A sides during this season. The 19 year old was selected in the Irish U20’s six nations squad this year and has been named in the upcoming Ireland U20 rugby World Cup squad. O’Riordan started out his rugby career with Bruff RFC and then he lined for his school St Munchin’s College in the Pinergy Munster Schools Boys Senior Cup for two seasons. At the end of 2022/2023 he made his AIL debut with Bruff RFC. 

Six players have been added to the Munster academy ahead of the 2024/2025 season. The other players who have added to the academy include: Seán Edogbo, Michael Foy, Gene O’Leary Kareem and Danny Sheehan.

Edwin Edogbo, Tony Butler, Ethan Coughlan, Mark Donnelly and Brian Gleeson will move up from the Academy to the senior squad next season.