Lure of pro career swung Sweetnam

Darren Sweetnam admits the lure of a career in professional sport helped make his mind up to abandon his inter-county hurling career.

The multi-talented 19-year-old Dunmanway man accepted a three-year contract to play rugby with the Munster Academy in October, ending his involvement with the Cork hurlers after a magnificent breakthrough season.

Sweetnam, who has also represented Ireland at underage level in hockey and badminton, helped Cork reach an All-Ireland SHC semi-final. He returned to rugby with Munster U20s eight days after the Rebels’ defeat by Galway and went on to play a starring role in the interpros. The Dohenys clubman’s GAA career is on hold for now after he signed up with Munster two months ago.