CONNACHT HAVE TODAY announced the signing of three new contracts among their back-line as they look towards the mid-term future.
Academy out-half Jack Carty, Irish qualified Kiwi Miah Nikora and winger Tiernan O’Halloran have all agreed to new deals.
21-year-old Athlone native Carty has been rewarded for a handful of impressive first-team outings this season with his first professional contract to last one year. Nikora will also remain at the Sportsground, despite a shoulder injury preventing him from building on his 66 caps so far this season.
O’Halloran has also amassed over 60 appearances with his province since the Connemara wing made the step up from the academy in the 2009/10 season, and the 22-year-old has been handed a two-year-extension.
“We are very pleased that Tiernan, Miah and Jack will all be with us next season and all have a significant role to play,” said head coach Pat Lam in today’s statement.
“Miah has endured a tough year with injury but will be desperate to make up for lost time.
“Tiernan and Jack are both proud Connacht-born players and testament to the young talent we have here. Both have shown that they have what it takes to make a real contribution to the squad and they will no doubt build on the good work done this season.”
While the re-signing of the trio is a boost for the squad’s continuity into next season, questions still remain over centre Eoin Griffin.
The 23-year-old is out of contract this summer and is reportedly the target of London Irish as the Premiership club looks to reforge links to this country under new ownership.
Methinks, not treated the best by Potter.
From an Irish perspective first team football is crucial for Duffy. With Ben White being kept at Brighton, seen as they has turned down a 30 million bid you’d think he’ll be above Duffy in the pecking order.
I think the best move for Duffy now to get regular games might be a loan move to Celtic. I wouldnt like to see him in the Scottish league for more than one season though which is why i think a loan move is best.
Next summer then there might be better options for a permanent move.
@Gareth Ward: He’s too good to be playing in the Scottish league in my opinion. Definitely good enough to be playing for some premier league side
@Miguel Sanchez: Agreed but there doesn’t seem to be many decent interested teams in the premier league though
@Gareth Ward: doesn’t have to be a top prem team, even playing every week for one of the new boys would be better prep for Ireland games than playing for Celtic (particularly now they won’t be in champions league).
I’d say/hope he is holding out for an approach from prem knowing Celtic will snap the hand off him if he does go back to them.
(Not trying to have a pop at Celtic here, looking purely at what’s best for Ireland)
@Gareth Ward: West brom would suit
@Gareth Ward: either West Brom or an improving West Ham team would be a good move for him. I agree with the previous poster and he is far too good to play for Celtic. Personally I think he is a better defender than either Dunk or Webster and offers a threat from set pieces. He’s just coming into his prime now. He should definitely be able to stay in the premiership
@Ger: West ham look fairly solid at center back with ogbonna and diop. So its hard to see him breaking in there
@Ger: Well does Graham what ever his name is value your opinion?
Obviously not as he wants to off load Shane Duffy.
So realistically a loan season with Celtic could be good for all parties.
Duffy is a Celtic supporter and reports suggest he wants this loan move.
Shore up a porous Celtic defence by doing the business and who knows like Virgil Van Dijk before him becomes more than a sought after defender again
Meanwhile Brighton will be happy to sell if they get relegated – which is a distinct possibility.
QED.
I hope he join Celtic on loan so that he has a chance to win silverware especially aiming for the 10 in a row SPL titles!
@Mícheál Moran: Would the equivalent of a League One title satisfy a man with almost 100 premier league appearances? He has to be looking at staying in the top league or at the very least a decent championship team. He may as well move back to the Brandywell as traipse up to Glasgow.
@M:
Ah I know but if a Premiership club don’t snap him soon before the transfer window close then he should go to the SPL.
Crystal Palace should snap him up, mad he can’t get a game
Sometimes in football, you’re face does not fit with the manager, then it’s time to go. Duffy is too good not to be playing regularly
He’s a premier league centre half, to good for the championship ,one of the best in the air in the league , only 28 ,good age for a CB very surprised a top 6 club have not came in
Celtic really do need a few signings