Conor Bartley thought his pro rugby dream was over, then Munster came calling

Aged 29 and 10 years into an AIL career, Conor Bartley thought the notion he could play professional rugby was dead in the water. Then, he got an unexpected call from Munster.

HELPING HAND: More experienced teammates like Oli Jager (left) have provided support for Conor Bartley. Pic: ©INPHO/Natasha Barton

In his teens and early 20s, the idea that he could play professional rugby was in Conor Bartley’s mind. As he edged towards 30, that dream began to slip away like the ball on a wet Limerick day.

“I thought my time was up,” says Bartley, “I’d see out the last few seasons with the Cookies and that’d be it.” Last November, aged 29, the Young Munster front row got a call from Gar Prendergast, Munster’s academy and pathway manager. The province was in a prop injury crisis. Amid the tumult of Graham Rowntree’s unexpected departure three weeks earlier, Bartley’s dream was about to become reality.

“I thought it was one of the boys taking the piss when I first got the call,” he says.

“I’d just finished work and went to the pub with one of the lads for a pint and some food. That’s when the call came. When I realised it was a proper call, it was unreal. I’d just gotten back playing and heard they might be looking, but I didn’t take much notice. It was something I always wanted to do.” His family and friends were “delighted and a bit shocked”. They had questions but Bartley didn’t have many answers.

“I was told to come to training and we’d talk more once I was in,” he says.

“I’d just come back from Australia and was out of full-time work - only helping people here and there - so it was easy to say yes.

“You don’t expect that call. I wish it had come sooner, but the timing worked because I didn’t have to worry about getting time off.” After going to school at Castletroy College, Bartley spent 10 years playing with Young Munster, being a key part of a team that won three consecutive Munster Senior Challenge Cups between 2021 and 2023.

“I was never the best gym-goer,” he says. “I know I should’ve gone more, but I kept fit by playing. With the Cookies I was never short of minutes; I was often asked to play more than I wanted! There were some Sunday mornings you would have been waking up and you wouldn't be feeling the best. You have to mind yourself.” 

Injuries have hampered Conor Bartley's chances of making an appearance for Munster. His last game was an interprovincial A match against Leinster in December. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

His first few sessions with Munster were a blur. The pace was quicker, and the calls and systems were new.

“After a few weeks I felt more settled,” he says.

“The level is very different to training Tuesday and Thursday nights (with Young Munster). It's intense and there's a big load on. There's a lot to take on, waking up in the morning, going in and having meetings, then training for the day. It was different to what I was used to. It's actually your job, and you're trying to keep it as your job as well.

“All the props were very helpful. It's mad. Stephen Archer has over 200 caps, and you’ve John Ryan, Dave Kilcoyne, Oli Jager. They’ll always give you a hand, tips if you’re stuck. The lads are sound and look after you, which makes it easy to slot into training.

“You're always learning, especially at prop. Scrum coaches have shown me habits I do without realising. Around the pitch it’s about working hard. If you say you can’t learn anything new, you’re lying a bit. And there’s always someone to put you back in your spot, especially being a prop.” 

Bartley initially joined on a short-term deal. Despite injuries hampering his chances of making an appearance, he has signed two extensions with the province, one in February and another in June. An interprovincial A game against Leinster on December 27 was the last time he played, a strange place to be for someone accustomed to playing regularly in the AIL.

“It was a nightmare, really,” he says.

“I thought I’d have played a bit more rugby, but after two months I picked up injuries. I tore my calf muscle twice and ruptured a plantaris tendon. I was still training, and it does fill the gaps - gym, rehab, straight-line running - but I’d prefer matches.

“I'm feeling good now I’ve had a hard pre-season and I’m hoping to kick on a bit. I haven't played since last year. It’s been a long break. I’m not used to injuries this long; it’s been years since I had one like that. Hopefully all that work stands to me now and I can hit the ground running.” 

To get those two contract extensions, Bartley obviously made an impression. He’s hoping to make an even greater one on newly-arrived head coach Clayton McMillan now that he’s back on the pitch.

“I just want minutes,” he says. “I won’t be happy until I actually play for Munster - that’s my goal.”