{{short description|Irish rugby union player}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=September 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2021}} {{Infobox rugby biography |name = Darren Sweetnam |image = Darren Sweetnam 2017.jpg |caption = |birth_name = |birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1993|5|5}} |birth_place = Dunmanway, County Cork, Ireland |height = {{height|m=1.85}} |weight = {{convert|93|kg|st lbs|abbr=on}} |position = Wing, Fullback |amatyears1 = |amatteam1 = Bandon |amatyears2 = |amatteam2 = Dolphin |amatyears3 = |amatteam3 = Cork Constitution |years1 = 2015–2021 |clubs1 = Munster |apps1 = 92 |points1 = 110 |years2 = 2021 |clubs2 = La Rochelle |apps2 = 6 |points2 = 10 |years3 = 2021– |clubs3 = Oyonnax |apps3 = 34 |points3 = 40 |clubupdate = 26 January 2023 |repyears1 = 2013 |repteam1 = Ireland U20 |repcaps1 = 6 |reppoints1 = 10 |repyears2 = 2017 |repteam2 = Ireland |repcaps2 = 3 |reppoints2 = 5 |ru_ntupdate = 24 November 2017 |spouse = |school = Bandon Grammar School |university = University College Cork
| module = {{Infobox Gaelic games player | embed=yes | code= Hurling | sport = Hurling | image = | name = Hurling Profile | irish = Darrin Suatnam | feet = | inches = | occupation = | county = Cork | province = Munster | club = Dohenys | clyears = 2010–2012 | clapps(points) = | clcounty = 0 | clprovince = | clallireland = | counties = Cork | icposition = Midfield | icyears = 2012 | icapps(points) = 4 (0–1) | icprovince = 0 | icallireland = 0 | nhl = 0 | allstars = 0 | icupdate= 16:57, 31 July 2012 | clupdate= | birth_date={{birth date and age|df=yes|1993|5|5}} | birth_place=Dunmanway, County Cork, Ireland }} }}
'''Darren Sweetnam''' (born 5 May 1993) is an Irish rugby union player for French Pro D2 club Oyonnax. He plays as a wing but can also play fullback. Sweetnam is also a former inter-county hurler with Cork and has played underage hockey for Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/sweetnam-opts-for-munster-over-cork-hurlers-568945.html|title=Sweetnam opts for Munster over Cork hurlers|date=1 October 2012|work=Irish Examiner}}</ref>
==Rugby== ===Munster=== On 1 October 2012, it was announced that Sweetman had signed a deal to join the Munster Rugby academy on a three-year contract.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://munsterrugby.ie/2012/10/01/sweetnam-joins-academy/|title=Sweetnam Joins Academy|date=1 October 2012|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=1 February 2013}}</ref> He had previously represented the province at Schools, U18, U19 and U20 levels. Sweetnam made his debut for Munster A on 18 January 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://munsterrugby.ie/report_nostats/quarter-final-in-store-for-munster-a/|title=Quarter-final in Store For Munster A|date=18 January 2013|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=1 February 2013}}</ref>
In January 2015, Sweetnam signed a two-year contract with Munster.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://munsterrugby.ie/2015/01/21/players-commit-to-munster-2/|title=Players Commit To Munster|date=21 January 2015|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=21 January 2015|archive-date=7 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907223644/http://munsterrugby.ie/2015/01/21/players-commit-to-munster-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sweetnam made his senior Munster debut on 14 February 2015, coming off the bench in the game against Cardiff Blues.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://munsterrugby.ie/report/opening-win-at-irish-independent-park/|title=Opening Win At Irish Independent Park|date=15 February 2015|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=15 February 2015}}</ref> He was nominated for the 2015 John McCarthy Award for Academy Player of the Year Award in April 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://munsterrugby.ie/2015/04/20/nominations-in-for-munster-rugby-awards-2/|title=Nominations In For Munster Rugby Awards|date=20 April 2015|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=20 April 2015}}</ref>
On 1 October 2016, Sweetnam scored a try and won the Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's 49–5 win against Zebre in a 2016–17 Pro12 fixture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://munsterrugby.ie/report/try-fest-in-thomond/|title=Try Fest In Thomond|date=1 October 2016|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=1 October 2016}}</ref> On 22 October 2016, Sweetnam started in Munster's 38–17 win against Glasgow Warriors in Round 2 of the 2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup, a match that was his European debut for the province.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://munsterrugby.ie/report/munster-do-foley-proud-with-immense-display/|title=Munster Do Foley Proud With Immense Display|date=22 October 2016|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=22 October 2016}}</ref> Sweetnam was ruled out for 6 weeks with a knee injury sustained in the fixture against Leinster on 26 December 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://munsterrugby.ie/2017/01/02/squad-update-85/|title=Squad Update|date=2 January 2017|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=2 January 2017}}</ref>
On 24 January 2017, it was announced that Sweetnam had signed a contract extension.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://munsterrugby.ie/2017/01/24/munster-confirm-latest-signings/|title=Munster Confirm Latest Signings|date=24 January 2017|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=24 January 2017}}</ref> On 10 February 2017, Sweetnam returned from injury when he started against Dragons, playing 55 minutes before being replaced by Francis Saili.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://munsterrugby.ie/report/munster-down-dragons-to-stay-top/|title=Munster Down Dragons To Stay Top|date=10 February 2017|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=18 February 2017}}</ref> On 1 April 2017, Sweetnam scored a try in Munster's 41–16 Champions Cup quarter-final win against Toulouse.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://munsterrugby.ie/report/munster-back-in-champions-cup-semi-finals/|title=Munster Back In Champions Cup Semi Finals|date=1 April 2017|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=2 April 2017}}</ref> On 4 May 2017, Sweetnam won the 2016–17 Munster Rugby Young Player of the Year award.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://munsterrugby.ie/2017/05/04/bleyendaal-is-named-munster-player-of-the-year/|title=Bleyendaal Is Named Munster Player Of The Year|date=4 May 2017|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=4 May 2017}}</ref>
Sweetnam was named Man-of-the-Match in Munster's 2018–19 Pro14 opening win against South African side Cheetahs on 1 September 2018, scoring one try in the provinces 38–0 victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://munsterrugby.ie/report/match-report-winning-start-at-thomond-park/|title=Match Report | Winning Start at Thomond Park|date=1 September 2018|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=1 September 2018}}</ref> He signed a two-year contract extension with Munster in December 2018,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://munsterrugby.ie/2018/12/04/contract-boost-for-munster/|title=12 Munster Players Sign Contract Extensions|date=4 December 2018|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=4 December 2018}}</ref> but was granted an early release from his contract in March 2021.<ref name="Sweetnam La Rochelle">{{cite news|url=https://www.munsterrugby.ie/2021/03/29/la-rochelle-move-for-sweetnam/|title=La Rochelle Move For Sweetnam|date=29 March 2021|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref>
===La Rochelle=== Sweetnam joined French Top 14 club La Rochelle, where former Munster player Ronan O'Gara is head coach, as a ''medical joker'' on a three-month deal to provide backs cover after an injury to Jérémy Sinzelle in March 2021.<ref name="Sweetnam La Rochelle"/> He made his debut for the club in their 38–23 win against Lyon on 17 April 2021, coming on as a replacement for fullback Brice Dulin in the 60th minute.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-40268819.html|title=Sweetnam makes debut in another La Rochelle victory|date=18 April 2021|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=18 April 2021}}</ref>
===Oyonnax=== Sweetnam was not kept on by La Rochelle, but joined another French club, Pro D2 side Oyonnax, ahead of the 2021–22 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-40321940.html|title=Sweetnam on the move to Oyonnax|date=24 June 2021|work=Irish Examiner|access-date=26 June 2021}}</ref>
===Ireland=== Sweetnam was named in the Ireland Under-20 team for their 2013 Under-20 Six Nations Championship opener against Wales on 1 February 2013<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/5506.php#.WbJIcNKovIU|title=Ireland Under-20 Team To Play Wales|date=30 January 2013 |work=Irish Rugby|access-date=1 February 2013}}</ref> and made his debut as a replacement during the game.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/28325.php|title=Ireland Under-20s Lose By Narrow Margin|date=1 February 2013|work=Irish Rugby|access-date=3 February 2013|archive-date=1 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101222305/http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/28325.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was named in the Ireland Under-20 squad for the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/27353.php#.WbJJDNKovIU|title=Ireland Under-20 Squad Named For Junior World Championship|date=28 May 2013|work=Irish Rugby|access-date=7 June 2013}}</ref> He scored two tries in Ireland Under-20s 46–3 victory against Fiji Under-20s on 9 June 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/28295.php|title=Ireland Under-20s Run Six Tries Past Fiji|date=9 June 2013|work=Irish Rugby|access-date=10 June 2013|archive-date=11 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160711064734/http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/28295.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sweetnam started for Ireland Under-20s in their 5th–6th place play-off against hosts France Under-20s on 18 June 2013, a game which the French team won 9–8.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/28293.php|title=Ireland Under-20s Edged Out By Hosts France|date=18 June 2013|work=Irish Rugby|access-date=19 June 2013}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
On 7 November 2016, Sweetnam was added to the senior Ireland squad for the 2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/38450.php#.WbJJzdKovIU|title=Six Players Added To Ireland Squad|date=7 November 2016|work=Irish Rugby|access-date=7 November 2016}}</ref> Sweetnam earned his second senior international call-up in October 2017, being named in the Ireland squad for the 2017 Autumn Internationals.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/news/40759.php#.WfRF7GhSzIU|title=Four Uncapped Players Included In Ireland's GUINNESS Series Squad|date=26 October 2017|work=Irish Rugby|access-date=28 October 2017}}</ref> He made his debut for Ireland on 11 November 2017, coming on as a replacement for Rob Kearney in the 38–3 win against South Africa.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/40861.php|title=Late Flurry Fires Ireland To Record-Breaking Win Over Springboks|date=12 November 2017|work=Irish Rugby|access-date=13 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171126180903/http://www.irishrugby.ie/rugby/fixturesandresults/40861.php|archive-date=26 November 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> A week later, Sweetnam made his first start for Ireland, doing so against Fiji and scoring his first try for Ireland in their 23–20 win.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://munsterrugby.ie/2017/11/20/keatley-kicks-ireland-home-bruising-battle-fiji/|title=Keatley Kicks Ireland Home In Bruising Battle With Fiji|date=20 November 2017|work=Munster Rugby|access-date=20 November 2017}}</ref>
==Hurling== Previously he played hurling as a midfielder for the Cork senior team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gaacork.ie/playerProfile/2512/darren_sweetnam|title=Player profile: Darren Sweetnam|work=Cork GAA|access-date=26 June 2012|archive-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221032909/http://www.gaacork.ie/playerProfile/2512/darren_sweetnam|url-status=dead}}</ref> Sweetnam made his first appearance for the team during the 2012 Waterford Crystal Cup and was subsequently included in Cork's league and championship teams.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/cork-and-tipp-changes-198351.html|title=Cork and Tipp changes|work=Irish Examiner|date=22 June 2012|access-date=26 June 2012}}</ref> At club level Sweetnam played for Dohenys. His choice of professional rugby ends his hurling career for the foreseeable future.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://munsterrugby.ie/player?PlayGuid=DS383329 Munster Profile] *[https://www.irishrugby.ie/player/?PlayGuid=DS383329 Ireland Profile] *{{EPCR profile|DS383329}} *[https://www.pro14.rugby/clubs/munster/darren-sweetnam Pro14 Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226121633/https://www.pro14.rugby/clubs/munster/darren-sweetnam |date=26 February 2021 }} *[https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/player/?PlayGuid=DS383329&TeamId=1875 U20 Six Nations Profile]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sweetnam, Darren}} Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:People educated at Bandon Grammar School Category:Dual players Category:Dohenys Gaelic footballers Category:Dohenys hurlers Category:Cork inter-county hurlers Category:Bandon R.F.C. players Category:Dolphin RFC players Category:Cork Constitution players Category:Irish rugby union players Category:Rugby union players from County Cork Category:Munster Rugby players Category:Stade Rochelais players Category:Oyonnax Rugby players Category:Ireland international rugby union players Category:Irish expatriate rugby union players in France Category:Rugby union fullbacks Category:Rugby union wings Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen