Tom Ahern and Shay McCarthy extend Munster contracts

24-year-old Ahern will remain at the province until at least 2027.

STAYING PUT: Munster's Tom Ahern. Pic: Bryan Keane/Inpho

Munster have secured the services of two of their emerging stars with the announcement of new contracts for Shay McCarthy and Tom Ahern.

Both wing McCarthy and lock/flanker Ahern have signed two-year deals to remain in their home province until the summer of 2027 McCarthy will be promoted to the senior squad for next season after impressing on the wing as an academy player with seven starts in 12 appearances, including Champions Cup appearances last season against Bayonne and Northampton Saints.

 The 22-year-old product of Richmond and St Munchin’s College now plays AIL with Young Munster and has made three starts for Munster across both wings in five appearances this season, doubling his senior try tally to four in the process.

McCarthy’s new contract will be at development level next season before progressing to a senior deal for 2026-27.

Fellow former Ireland Under-20 international Ahern, 24, has signed his second professional contract having graduated from the academy in the summer of 2021 having made his senior debut at the Dragons the previous November. 

Equally effective in the second row or at blindside flanker, the Waterford native who came through the ranks at Youghal, Dungarvan and Waterpark rugby clubs has scored 12 tries in 53 appearances and his talents have been recognised with a call up to the Emerging Ireland squad as well as for the 2024 Six Nations, only to be ruled out through injury.