Zebo Pens Three-Year Munster Deal

Eight Munster players – including the 20-year-old JJ Hanrahan and 22-year-olds David O’Callaghan and Luke O’Dea – have signed new contracts that will keep them with Munster until the end of the 2014/15 season.

Number 8 James Coughlan, who won his 100th Munster cap against Saracens last month, hooker Mike Sherry, lock David Foley and back rower Paddy Butler are the other players who have committed their immediate futures to Munster.

Promising back rower Sean Dougall, in his first season with Munster, has also agreed a two-year extension.

And a ninth player, the 22-year-old Simon Zebo, has penned a three-year deal which will see him playing for the province until at least the end of the 2015/16 season.

Zebo took his Ireland caps tally to three during the recent GUINNESS Series. He made his debut against New Zealand during the summer tour and scored his first international try against Argentina in November.

The news of the contract extensions was announced today at the close of Munster’s training session at the University of Limerick by Rob Penney.

The Munster head coach said: “I think it gives the organisation real security going forward having that number recommitting to the group.

“It’s a real positive sign that the lads believe in what’s happening here and can see a future here for themselves.

“And I think for the Munster supporters and everyone that has an attachment to Munster, they can be really rapt that the playing future is being secured for the short to medium and in some cases even a long term. So yes, it’s wonderful news.”