Munster ensure future Ireland star stays on board as Reds prepare for Champions Cup showdown

Tom Ahern has signed a new two year deal that will keep him at Munster until the summer of 2027.

The announcement is a boost for the province ahead of Saturday's Champions Cup round three clash with Saracens at Thomond Park. Ahern, 24, is in the reckoning for the Ireland squad for the Six Nations after showing up strongly in the three games he has played in since his return from an ankle injury last month.

Now seen as a No.6, the Limerick man started his Munster career as a second row and so has that versatility that the Ireland management are looking for.

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The former Ireland under-20 international's comeback came off the bench in Castres in mid-December. Ahern has scored 12 tries in 53 Munster appearances having come up through the ranks at Youghal RFC, Dungarvan RFC and Waterpark RFC. Ahern made his senior debut as an Academy player against the Dragons in November 2020.

It will be interesting to see if Ireland interim boss Simon Easterby includes him in the panel for the upcoming championship.

Injury robbed Ahern of the chance to go on the tour of South Africa in the summer, while he was named in the training squad for last year's Six Nations, only for Cian Prendergast to take his place when he suffered a head injury in a Champions Cup game against Northampton. He did later join the squad ahead of the round three game against Wales.

A first Test cap could be in the offing in the weeks to come. Former Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris praised Ahern's performance after the recent interpro defeat to Leinster, commenting: "I think he was one of Munster's best players tonight, he stood up.

"Obviously that head-to-head with Ryan Baird, I think he probably edged that. Yes, he did stay out in the wider channels a bit but that's where he's most effective.

"Andy Farrell will definitely like that type of player, especially if you're going to launch him off the bench at some stage.

"Keep your eye on him over the next few weeks to see how he goes. It's just nailing down that position at 6 and playing there every single week. Being more physical in defence - that's what you need. But he's got all the attributes. There's a big future for him."

Munster's Shay McCarthy
(Image: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo)

Meanwhile, the Reds' academy winger Shay McCarthy will be promoted to a development contract next year and is on course to get a senior contract for the 2026/2027 season.

McCarthy, 22, has scored four tries in 12 appearances for Munster since making his debut against the Sharks in October 2023 - within months of joining the academy - and was a try-scorer on his Champions Cup debut against Bayonne last December.

His first season included an appearance in the Champions Cup round of 16 clash against Northampton Saints and he ended the season with two tries in seven games.

The Limerick man has already scored two tries in five appearances so far this year and will move up to the senior squad after two years in the Academy.

McCarthy started out at Richmond RFC and won a Munster Schools Boys Junior Cup with St Munchin’s College in 2018 His impressive form with Young Munster in the AIL earned a call-up to the Ireland under-20s squad and he made his debut at that level against France in June 2022.

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