Munster trio sign two-year deals

James Cronin, John Ryan and Cathal Sheridan have signed two-year contracts with Munster that will see them stay with the province until at least June 2016.

Sligo man Cathal Sheridan completed two years in the Munster Academy before his league debut in February 2013 against Edinburgh in Musgrave Park.

Sheridan went on to make this Heineken Cup debut against Gloucester in October, making his first start at European level in Munster's dramatic 18-17 victory away to Perpignan.

John Ryan made his Munster debut as a substitute away to Cardiff Blues in September 2011 and made four more appearances off the bench that season before moving to London Irish on loan for the opening games of the 2012/13 campaign.

He made his Heineken Cup debut against Racing Metro in Thomond Park in January 2013.

Fellow prop and Cork man James Cronin, a product of the Munster Youths system, made the move to senior level at the start of this season, making his senior debut against Leinster in Thomond Park in April.

The 23-year-old made his Heineken Cup debut against Edinburgh in Murrayfield in October and his first start at European level was away to Perpignan in December.

Head Coach Rob Penney said: "It's great to have these young guys commit their talent and future to Munster. It just shows once again the hard work that is being done at grass-roots and underage level for guys of this level to break through and it's a good thing for the province."