Sponsorship lift for Munster rugby

Greencore, the international convenience food group, has agreed a three year partnership with the Munster Rugby Academy. The two-way partnership will focus on a number of initiatives in areas such as nutrition and business mentoring support to academy players, and the academy will now be known as the Greencore Munster Rugby Academy.

The academy has produced some of Ireland's leading players since its inception including Keith Earls, Conor Murray and Munster Captain Peter O'Mahony, and it has also been home for emerging young players such Simon Zebo and JJ Hanrahan.

The programme develops players along five streams – rugby tactical, rugby technical, physical, mental and lifestyle. Led by elite player development manager Peter Malone, the candidates for the academy are determined through the talent identification programme in schools and clubs throughout the province. The academy currently comprises 20 players in total.

The Greencore sponsorship of the Munster Rugby Academy, together with a newly established patrons programme, will support the operating costs of the academy. Amongst those who have committed to becoming a founder patron are former Unilever chairman and Limerick native Niall FitzGerald KBE and Leslie Buckley, chairman of Independent News and Media.