Neil Cronin (born 6 December 1992) is an Irish rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for United Rugby Championship club Munster.

Garryowen

During the 2017–18 season, Cronin captained Garryowen to a 39th Munster Senior Challenge Cup and, for his efforts, was named the AIL Munster Player of the Year and Division 1A Player of the Year.[2][3]

Munster

Cronin made his Munster debut on 26 December 2014, featuring off the bench in the provinces 28–13 win against Leinster in Thomond Park.[4][5] He went on to make three more appearances as a substitute for Munster during the 2014–15 season. Following his performances for Garryowen, Cronin was awarded a one-year contract with Munster for the 2018–19 season.[6]

Cronin made his 'second' debut for Munster on 1 September 2018, starting at scrum-half in their opening 2018–19 Pro14 fixture against South African side Cheetahs in Thomond Park.[7] Cronin made his Champions Cup debut on 13 October 2018, featuring off the bench in Munster's opening 2018–19 pool 2 fixture against English side Exeter Chiefs, which ended in a 10–10 draw in Sandy Park.[8]

Cronin signed a two-year contract extension with Munster in October 2018.[9] Cronin scored his first try for Munster in their 43–0 win against South African side Southern Kings on 15 February 2019.[10] He suffered an ACL injury during training with Munster in October 2020, which is expected to rule Cronin out for at least six months.[11] He signed a two-year contract extension with Munster in March 2021, a deal that will see him remain with the province until at least June 2023.[12] Cronin featured off the bench in Munster's historic 28–14 win against a South Africa XV in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on 10 November 2022,[13] and extended his contract with Munster until the end of January 2024.[14]

Ireland

Cronin has made eight appearances for the Ireland Club XV, most recently in February and March 2018 when he captained the side in two fixtures against Scotland Club XV.[15][16]

Life outside rugby

After Cronin's first brief stint with Munster came to an end, he qualified as a secondary school teacher, before going on to earn a teaching degree and a position at St Munchin's College.[1]

Honours

Munster

References

  1. ^ a b "'I believe in myself now a lot more than I did'". Irish Independent. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  2. ^ "Garryowen Claim Bank Of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup". Munster Rugby. 19 January 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  3. ^ "Neil Cronin Named AIL Division 1A Player Of The Year". Munster Rugby. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  4. ^ "Jones To Lead Munster". Munster Rugby. 24 December 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  5. ^ "Munster Return To Winning Ways". Munster Rugby. 26 December 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  6. ^ "Player Contract Update". Munster Rugby. 10 April 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  7. ^ "Match Report | Winning Start at Thomond Park". Munster Rugby. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  8. ^ "Report | Munster Draw Against Exeter Chiefs". Munster Rugby. 13 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  9. ^ "Player Contract Boost Continues". Munster Rugby. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  10. ^ "Report | Seven-Try Munster Blast Past Kings". Munster Rugby. 15 February 2019. Retrieved 16 February 2019.
  11. ^ "Squad Update | Edinburgh Up Next At Thomond". Munster Rugby. 7 October 2020. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
  12. ^ "Latest Player Contracts Confirmed". Munster Rugby. 4 March 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2021.
  13. ^ "Report | Munster Secure Historic Victory Over SA Select XV". Munster Rugby. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  14. ^ "Team Named | Munster Side To Face Leinster In URC Semi-Final". Munster Rugby. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  15. ^ "Late McEvoy Try Secures Memorable Midlands Win For Ireland Club Team". Irish Rugby. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  16. ^ "First Half Deficit Proves Too Much For Ireland Club Team To Overcome". Irish Rugby. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
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