We spoke to 19-year-old centre Gene O’Leary Kareem last week for his first interview since joining the Munster Rugby Academy last summer. Gene started out his rugby career with Highfield RFC before lining out for Presentation Brothers College throughout his school years. The centre has been involved in three consecutive Pinergy Munster Schools Boys Senior Cup finals, winning the most recent two which included captaining PBC to last season’s final win over CBC. The centre has represented both Ireland and Munster age-grade squads in the past with O’Leary Kareem lining out for both Munster U19s and Ireland U19s last season. O’Leary Kareem also captained Ireland U18 7s in the 2023 Rugby Europe U18 Sevens Championship. He plays for UCC RFC in Division 1B of the Energia All Ireland League.