Monahan Joins Munster On Short-Term Contract

Munster have signed winger Shane Monahan on a three-month contract. The Drogheda native, who has been training with the province for the last three weeks, has officially signed up on a short-term basis in providing Rugby World Cup cover.

Shane Monahan (28) joins Anthony Foley’s men from English Premiership side Gloucester where he made 34 appearances since 2012, scoring 13 tries.

A former Rotherham Titans, Connacht and Leinster Academy player, he was a member of the Ireland Under-20 squad that won the U-20 Six Nations Grand Slam in 2007, playing alongside current Munster backs Keith Earls, Felix Jones and Ian Keatley.

Meanwhile, with the usual pre-season experimentation expected in the coming weeks and with seven players currently in Ireland camp, a number of players from the Munster Sub Academy, Academy and club ranks continue to train with Foley’s squad, including Bill Johnston (pictured below) and Sean O’Connor (both Sub Academy), new signing Monahan and Young Munster and Ireland Sevens international Diarmaid McCarthy.

Garryowen scrum half Neil Cronin had also been training with the Munster panel prior to sustaining an ankle injury, while centre Denis Hurley received a bang to his ankle earlier this week and is being assessed by the Munster medical team.

Speaking about Kiwi duo Francis Saili and Tyler Bleyendaal, Foley said: “Obviously we were keen with the World Cup players away and potentially missing players. We were looking at whether we needed to get World Cup cover in and we managed to negotiate an early release and are fortunate enough for Francis to be over here and training well.

“He moved over only last week and has got to catch up on sleep and stuff like that. We want to make sure he’s settled in, that he gets to know the lads, make sure he’s got the calls and we’ll see where he goes from there.

“You’ll definitely see Tyler (in action against Grenoble) on Friday night and I’m looking forward to seeing him in the red jersey at Thomond Park. At the moment he’s running 10-12 and he’s very comfortable in both positions.”

Munster host Grenoble in the Kearys Renault Series at Thomond Park on Friday (kick-off 7pm). Tickets can be purchased online here, from the Munster Rugby Ticket Offices at Thomond Park and Irish Independent Park, or by calling 0818 719 300.