Munster announce the return of Tomas O’Leary

Following their bitterly disappointing Champions Cup group stage exit last weekend Munster have announced a number of senior players have signed contract extensions with the club, while they have been further boosted by the new Tomas O'Leary is set to return to Thomond Park next season.

Ireland international scrum half O’Leary left Munster for London Irish in 2012 having made 127 appearances following his debut in 2005, but the Cork man has only featured nine times for the Exiles this campaign.

O’Leary, who won the last of his Ireland caps against England in March 2012, will provide cover for Conor Murray who will miss large spells of next season because of international duty.

Andrew Conway has also signed a new deal, with a one-year contract extension keeping him at Thomond Park until at least June 2016, while short-term signing Eusebio Guinazu will now remain with Munster until the end of the season providing extra cover in the frontrow.

Dave O’Callaghan is another member of Anthony Foley’s first team squad to agree a new deal, signing a one-year contract which will also see him stay at Munster until June 2016.

Development player Johnny Holland has put pen to paper on a two-year deal which will see him advance from development to full contract status in his second year, while former Cork senior hurler and third year Greencore Academy player Darren Sweetnam has signed a similar deal.

Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald welcomed the new signings, he said: "Retaining younger talent is vital for our progression, and on the back of the news about Ian Keatley, Shane Buckley, Cian Bohane, Kevin O'Byrne and Jack O'Donoghue we are certainly in a good place as players continue to show their commitment and ambition to succeed with the province.

“These players all add a mix of experience and youth to the squad and it is particularly pleasing to see Dave (O’Callaghan), Johnny (Holland) and Darren (Sweetnam) develop and prosper after coming up through the ranks, while the returning Tomás O’Leary will bring a huge level of experience in providing additional support and knowledge to a key role.”