Reds sign Cork star Sweetnam

Munster Rugby expressed their delight last night after signing Cork hurler Darren Sweetnam on a full-time Academy contract.

The multi-talented youngster has, for the moment, decided to give professional rugby a go and will not be available to Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s Cork hurlers next season.

“Darren impressed us very much in the Munster U20 inter-provincial campaign,” said Peter Malone, Munster’s elite player development manager.

“He went through a period where he scored four tries in three games and he was exceptional.

“He had been hurling with Cork for the summer and so came late into the programme but still stood out for us. We saw something there, a good bit of potential and we felt it was worth asking him into the Munster Academy. Hopefully over the next year or two he will develop into a real top-class rugby player and push on for full professional and Munster honours.”

Sweetnam joins the Academy along with a colleague from this year’s Munster U20 team, Harry McNulty, where the 19-year-old will be given time to prove himself.

“This will develop over the next 12 to 18 months as he gets into the full-time programme,” added Malone. “He has played out-half for Bandon Grammar and played very well and because he came into the scene so late this summer he came in as a full-back because he mightn’t have been 100% sure of all the moves. However, he can play in both positions and he has excelled in both.”

Malone described Sweetnam as an “outstanding all-round sportsman” and said the decision to concentrate on rugby had obviously been a tough decision for the youngster.

“When you consider how good he is and the fact that he played at a very high level of hurling for Cork it must have been a hard call to make. We didn’t put any pressure on him, it was really Darren’s call.”

His loss has been felt within Cork GAA circles already. Cork hurling boss Barry-Murphy said he and his fellow selectors were disappointed that Sweetnam was switching to rugby but wished him all the best in his new career.

“Obviously it’s up to every lad to decide what he wants to do and this is a great opportunity for Darren, we wish him every success in his rugby career,” said Barry-Murphy.

“He’s a smashing lad, a great athlete and did very well for us this year at the highest level of inter-county hurling.

“Obviously we’re very disappointed because he was certainly one of those players that you would be thinking of building your team around over the next few years, but that’s just the way it is and we’ve got to get on with it now.”