O’Connor To Progress To Munster Senior Deal In 2027
Ben O'Connor is pictured running in a try during Munster's BKT United Rugby Championship win away to the Dragons in January ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Munster youngster Ben O’Connor has signed a new contract that will see him continue as an Academy player with the province next season, before moving up to the senior squad on a two-year deal.
The 20-year-old full-back has signed a development contract for the 2026/27 season, and will progress to a senior deal for the 2027/28 campaign.
A multi-talented sportsman, O’Connor has won two All-Ireland medals with the Cork hurlers – at minor level in 2021, and Under-20 level in 2023.
He flourished at PBC Cork and played a leading role when they won the Pinergy Munster Schools Senior Cup two years ago.
He made his senior debut for Munster within months of joining the Academy, coming off the bench against the Dragons in November 2023, and did likewise against Bayonne a month later in his first Investec Champions Cup appearance.
O’Connor gained further experience with the Ireland Under-20 Men’s team last year, starting all five of their matches during their unbeaten Under-20 Six Nations run.
He was also part of the Ireland squad selected for last summer’s World Rugby U-20 Championship in South Africa, where he started in the back-three for every fixture.
He lined out for Emerging Ireland during their tour to South Africa in October, and has scored two tries in five appearances for Munster this season.
Commenting on O’Connor’s growth as a player, Munster Rugby Academy & Pathway Manager Gearóid Prendergast said: “He’s a smashing young man and he’s really enjoyed being in the Academy, I was only talking to him the other day about it.
“Obviously he had a big decision coming out of school between GAA and rugby. He’s had some real exposure in terms of URC, Champions Cup, Ireland Under-20s and Emerging Ireland.
“When you add it all up, he has had a whirlwind experience in the last year-and-a-half. He’s got a brilliant attitude and he’s having some learning experiences along the way.
“Not everything is going perfectly and he knows that, but that’s part of his developmental curve and his learning. So he is an exciting prospect and one we’re all looking forward to seeing develop and grow.”
Five Munster Academy players have been confirmed so far to be moving up to the senior squad next season – Fionn Gibbons, Shay McCarthy, Evan O’Connell, Ruadhán Quinn, and Kieran Ryan.
Meanwhile, ahead of the province’s mid-season fixture away to Leicester Tigers on Friday, Patrick Campbell has returned to training following a shoulder injury sustained back in September.