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O'Leary heads for the Championship after three seasons with Connacht

The Irish-born Canadian international out-half joined Connacht from Grenoble in 2014.

inpho_01068211 Shane O'Leary after Connacht's win against Leinster in the 2015-16 Guinness Pro12 final. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

SHANE O’LEARY HAS found a new club after leaving Connacht following three seasons with the province.

The 24-year-old Irish-born out-half will play his rugby in the Championship this season with Ealing Trailfinders.

“It’s a great facility and it’s been an easy transition to life here,” said O’Leary of his move from the west of Ireland to west London. “As soon as I heard that Ealing were interested I was really keen so I’m hugely excited to get involved.”

O’Leary joined Connacht from Grenoble in 2014 and went on to play 22 times under Pat Lam, including a substitute appearance in the victory over Leinster in the memorable Guinness Pro12 final in May 2016.

Born in Cork but raised in Tipperary, O’Leary made his senior international debut for Canada — where his mother was born — earlier this year.

Last season, Ealing finished in third place in England’s second tier but lost to Yorkshire Carnegie in the semi-finals of the Championship play-offs. They’re currently top of the table, a point ahead of Pat Lam’s Bristol, after three wins from as many games.

“Shane is a great prospect and we are delighted to have him on board. He has plenty of experience and we’re confident that he will be a success in the Championship,” said Ben Ward, director of rugby at Ealing Trailfinders.

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    Mute EK
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    Sep 20th 2017, 2:01 PM

    Playing for Canada was bittersweet in that it spelled the end for his Connacht career and . A very solid 10.

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    Mute Michael Hanley
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    Sep 20th 2017, 3:29 PM

    @EK: he was

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    Mute AAish-ling Feen-ey
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    Sep 20th 2017, 3:42 PM

    He had a solid 3 season’s with Connacht ending on a high – to some it might seem as a step backwards but with a pro12 medal around his neck and the opportunity to get his name out there and move up it seems like nothing but the right move. Best of luck SOL

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    Mute ARZE BANDITO
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    Sep 20th 2017, 12:58 PM

    Not a big rugby head but a step backwards maybe?never heard of these lads..

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    Mute Limón Madrugada
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    Sep 20th 2017, 1:52 PM

    @ARZE BANDITO: a step backwards would be playing in AIL filling in for academy players when they’re injured . He’s an international and needs games so that he can make the 2019 RWC . After that he’s on the map , look at AJ Mc Ginty !

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    Mute Rónán
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    Sep 22nd 2017, 1:25 PM

    @ARZE BANDITO: nope Eailng would be a decent enough club, very progressive over last 6-8 years. Basically in Irish terms they have done the Junior 2 to AIL 1A journey except that the standard at Championship is professional not very good amateur..

    Peter Lydon [Seapoint/Stade Francais/London Scottish] signed for them in the summer and is regular fullback. Only problem for Shane is that Lydon is a prolific kicker and has been primary kicker at London Scottish and now Ealing…

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    Mute Kingshu
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    Sep 20th 2017, 4:33 PM

    Its a pity with our limited NIQ spots we cannot help decent tier 2 players and nations more like SoL and AJMcG, maybe if rumour has it thete is a Pro 14 team in Germany its where all the Tier 2 players will go to.

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