Conor Murray pens Munster contract extension

3 April 2024; Conor Murray during Munster rugby squad training at University of Limerick in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Conor Murray has signed a one-year contract extension to stay with Munster until the summer of 2025, ending speculation about his playing future beyond this season.

The 34-year-old Ireland scrum-half’s central IRFU contract is in its final months, potentially leaving the Test centurion and three-time British & Irish Lions tourists in limbo beyond the current campaign yet Wednesday’s joint announcement from the URC champions and the governing body brings certainty to Murray’s situation.

It also now places the focus firmly on similar circumstances for fellow veteran and current Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony, who is believed to still not reached agreement with Munster over a new deal beyond 2023-24.

O’Mahony said he would consider his future in discussion with family members following Ireland’s Six Nations championship success on March 16, when the flanker led the national team to back-to-back titles in his first campaign since succeeding Johnny Sexton as Irish captain.

Asked about whether he had been informed of any decision from O’Mahony on Saturday following Munster’s URC home win over Cardiff, head coach Graham Rowntree said he believed an announcement on the player’s future was “imminent”.

In the meantime, Munster also announced more contract news on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s Champions Cup Round of 16 clash at Northampton Saints for two back-rowers.

Jack Daly has signed a one-year extension to his current deal while academy and Ireland Under-20 star Brian Gleeson will move up to the senior squad next season on a two-year professional contract.

Gleeson’s announcement makes him the fifth academy player to be promoted to the senior ranks for 2024-25 alongside Tony Butler, Ethan Coughlan, Mark Donnelly and Edwin Edogbo, all of whom have signed two-year deals.