O'Brien signs for Munster on two-year deal

Munster have secured the services of Mullingar native Sean O'Brien for next season.

The 24 year old centre has been playing in the Gallagher Premiership in England with the Exeter Chiefs after the making the move from Connacht in 2021.

A former Ireland U20 international, O'Brien started Exeter's recent Champions Cup round of 16 and quarter final games. In total, he has played for the Chiefs 15 times in the past two seasons, scoring three tries.

Speaking to the Chiefs' website after the two year deal was announced, O'Brien explained the reasons behind the move.

"Unfortunately, the lack of playing opportunities have meant that I've had to look at the next stage of my career.

"To have the chance to go home - and to a club like Munster - it was too good an opportunity for me to turn down.

"That said, we've still got some huge games coming up here before the end of the season and I want to make sure that I sign off my time here at the Chiefs on a winning and positive note."

Munster coach Mike Prendergast said that O'Brien has been on the club's radar for a while.

“He’s a player we have looked at over the last couple of months. He is Irish-qualified and the thing for me is his profile,

“He plays 12, 13 and he can play on the wing and his skillset is someone we see in terms of us being better. He is someone that we identified would enhance what we are trying to do, especially from an attack point of view. You are talking about a guy who is potentially going to be playing in the semi-finals of the Champions Cup coming back into our squad, which is obviously a very good sign.”