Retiring Liam O'Connor and Paddy Kelly among Munster departures

Munster have confirmed their list of departing players this summer, with prop Liam O'Connor and lock Paddy Kelly both set to retire due to injury.

Loosehead prop O'Connor has been forced to call time on his career at the age of 27, having recently undergone surgery on a neck injury.

The Cork native played 34 times for the province since 2016, with his time at the province troubled by injury, notably when he suffered a torn cruciate ligament in late 2017.

O'Connor featured twice for Munster this season prior to his neck injury, with his final appearance coming in the 28-14 win against a South African select XV at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in November.

Kelly has also been advised to retire on medical grounds, after sustaining a concussion earlier this season. The 23-year-old from Limerick was in his first season in the province's senior squad, having graduated through the Munster academy.

The province have previously confirmed the departures of Ben Healy, Malaki Fekitoa, James French and Chris Farrell, with O'Connor and Kelly among a further group of five who have completed their time at the province.

Eoin O'Connor is departing the province for a new team outside of Ireland, having made six appearances for Munster. The Waterford native was one of 12 players to make their senior debuts in the Champions Cup win over Wasps in December 2021.

Elsewhere, Oli Morris, who joined the province as cover during Munster's injury crisis earlier this season, is also set to move on, while academy wing and former Ireland Sevens international Conor Phillips is also departing the province.

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