Sweetnam: Munster decision so difficult

Cork hurling tyro Darren Sweetnam described his acceptance of a three-year deal with Munster Rugby as “probably the most difficult decision I’ve had to make in my life.”

Sweetnam, who shone for Jimmy Barry-Murphy’s side in championship action this season, signed a full time Academy contract with the province which ends his involvement with GAA.

Eight days after the Rebels’ elimination from the All-Ireland series, Sweetnam impressed for the Munster U20 side against an Italy selection before producing a series of notable display in the interprovincials.

The 19-year-old’s outstanding potential was further recognised with a call-up to a trial for the Ireland U20 side this week.

“It certainly wasn’t an easy decision for me to make,” Sweetnam admitted yesterday at Lansdowne Road. From a very young age, I’ve been playing both rugby and hurling with the Dunmanway rugby club and the Dohenys GAA club and my father was involved in the coaching side of things.

“This year, I derived tremendous enjoyment and satisfaction from playing hurling with Cork, even though it was very disappointing to lose in the All-Ireland semi-final.

“So when I received the offer from Munster, it was something I had to give a huge amount of thought and consideration to.

“It was probably the most difficult decision that I’ve had to make in my life.

“But, in the end, what swung the decision for me was the fact that I was being offered a contract to play sport on a full-time basis for the next three years.”

Sweetnam has also played hockey for Ireland at U16 level and badminton for Ireland at U15 level.

Sweetnam is the second high-profile Cork hurler to give preference to the oval code game, following in the footsteps of Tomás O’Leary, who captained the Rebels to victory in the 2001 All-Ireland MHC final, and went on to represent Ireland in the Six Nations Championship.