Gene O'Leary Kareem leaves Munster after deciding to step away from pro rugby

Munster said the 21-year-old, who was a member of Ireland's 2025 U20 Six Nations squad, has decided to leave professional rugby "for now"

Gene O'Leary Kareem was about to enter his third year with the Munster academy. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon

Former Ireland Under-20 international Gene O’Leary Kareem has opted to step away from professional rugby and has left Munster ahead of a third year in the province’s academy.

The centre, who was a member of Ireland’s 2025 U20 Six Nations squad, came through the ranks of Highfield RFC and PBC Cork before representing UCC in the All-Ireland League but did not make a senior appearance for Munster. 

The 21-year-old has decided to leave the pro game “for now”, the province said on Tuesday, as eight new academy recruits reported for pre-season training with the senior squad at Munster High Performance Centre at the University of Limerick.

Young Munster prop Christian Foley had began his pre-season on day one in late June while the rest - Christopher Barrett, Rob Carney, Jamie Conway, Joe Finn, Alex Lautsou, James O’Leary and Charlie O’Shea - have now returned after a break following their involvement with the Ireland U20s at the Junior World Championship in Georgia.

Munster Rugby general manager Ian Costello described the 2026 academy intake as “one of the most exciting groups that we have seen progress into the Academy”, while Academy & Pathway manager Gar Prendergast said the Year One group “once again highlights the excellent work being carried out through our NTS programme”.