Both players had been offered contracts for the coming season but in Manning's case it was a choice between remaining on here or returning home to take up an NPC offer with North Harbor.

"It had always been my intention to return home at some stage and the offer from North Harbor probably hastened that decision. It was a great opportunity to play at a different level and one I felt I just couldn't let go."

The 22 year old has been contracted to Munster for three of the four seasons he spent in this country and since making his debut in September 2005 has played 32 competitive matches and was on the Heineken Cup winning match day squad.

"I've enjoyed my time with Munster, appreciate all that I've learned. It certainly wasn't an easy decision to decide not to accept a further contract. But I didn't want to be looking back in years to come and wonder how I might have fared in NPC."  

Academy player Cronin was offered a Development contract for next season but opted instead to take up a full-time contract with Connacht, a decision that Munster support as their Chief Executive Garrett Fitzgerald explained, "We believe that to further his progress Sean needs to compete on a regular basis at representative level and at this stage a move to Connacht is in his best interest. We wish him the very best during his time with Connacht?

Former Ireland U21 international Denis Fogarty will continue to share the hooking duties with internationals Frank Sheahan and Jerry Flannery. Fogarty has just renewed his contract with Munster while Michael Essex is expected to accept a Development contract