Neil Cronin

Neil Cronin (born 6 December 1992) is an Irish rugby union player for Munster in the Pro14. He plays as a scrum-half and represents Garryowen in the All-Ireland League.

Neil Cronin

Date of birth	(1992-12-06) 6 December 1992
Place of birth	Limerick, Ireland
Height	1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Weight	83 kg (13.1 st; 183 lb)
School	Castletroy College
University	University of Limerick
Notable relative(s)	Seán Cronin (brother)[1]
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2011–present Garryowen () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2014–present Munster 23 (10) Correct as of 21 February 2020 National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2014–2018 Ireland Club XV 8 (8) Correct as of 18 March 2018

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] He 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] He signed a two-year contract extension with Munster in October 2018, a deal that will see Cronin remain with the province until at least June 2021.[9] Cronin scored his first try for Munster in their 43–0 win against South African side Southern Kings on 15 February 2019.[10]

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.[11][12]

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]

References

1. "'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. "Late McEvoy Try Secures Memorable Midlands Win For Ireland Club Team". Irish Rugby. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
12. "First Half Deficit Proves Too Much For Ireland Club Team To Overcome". Irish Rugby. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.

External links

• Munster Profile
• Pro14 Profile
• Neil Cronin at European Professional Club Rugby