Seven Munster Departures Confirmed

Munster Rugby can confirm that senior players Tony Butler, Fionn Gibbons, Paddy Patterson and Andrew Smith will depart the province this summer.

We can also confirm that Academy props George Hadden and Darragh McSweeney, and out-half Dylan Hicks have completed their time at the province.

A big thanks to Tony, Fionn, Paddy, Andrew, George, Darragh and Dylan for their contributions to Munster Rugby and we wish them all the best for the future.

Ennis out-half Tony Butler scored 76 points in 28 appearances for the province over his three years in the Academy and two years in the senior squad.

A Grand Slam winner with the Ireland U20s in 2022, Butler made his Munster debut in the Champions Cup win over Wasps in 2021 and starred in the win over Argentina XV earlier this season.

He captained Ennis at underage level as they enjoyed success in the Munster U16 and U18 Clubs competitions, and has lined out for Garryowen and Young Munster in the AIL.

Fionn Gibbons was a Grand Slam winner with the Ireland U20s in 2022, scoring three tries in four appearances.

A Young Munster clubman, he made three senior appearances for Munster after joining the Academy in 2022 and moving up to the senior squad for the 2025/26 season.

Capable of playing in the centre and on the wing, Gibbons is a product of Castleknock College and made his Munster debut against Connacht in October 2022.

Paddy Patterson scored five tries in 51 appearances for Munster since joining from the Leinster Academy in January 2021.

He played a major role in the URC title-winning 2022/23 season, with his 14 appearances including five tries and a Player of the Match display against South Africa A at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in November 2022.

The scrum-half has made 25 appearances over the past two seasons including a 50th Munster cap against Zebre in February.

Andrew Smith scored four tries in 11 appearances for Munster after joining from Connacht in March 2025.

He made an immediate impact after arriving last season, scoring three tries in four appearances.

He was a try-scorer in the Champions Cup round of 16 win against La Rochelle and dotted down twice away to Bordeaux-Begles in the quarter-final defeat a week later.

Smith, who represented the Ireland 7s team at the Paris Olympics in 2024, scored one try in seven appearances this season.

George Hadden started all five games at loosehead prop for the Ireland U20s in 2023 as they won the Grand Slam.

He has featured extensively for Garryowen over the past three years and was called up for the Emerging Ireland tour to South Africa in October 2024.

A Grand Slam winner with the Ireland U20s in 2022, Darragh McSweeney came up through the ranks at Muskerry RFC and PBC.

He helped the Ireland U20s to a Grand Slam in 2022 and has lined out for Shannon and Nenagh Ormond in the AIL over the past four years.

Bantry Bay RFC and Colaiste Pobail Bheanntraí out-half Dylan Hicks lined out for the Ireland U20s last season.

He has played AIL rugby with Garryowen and Cork Constitution over the past three years.