CONNACHT RUGBY HAVE today confirmed a group of 11 players who will leave the club when this season ends.
32-year-old prop Ronan Loughney, a Galway man who was among the first crop in his province’s academy, will move on after 191 appearances in 12 years.
At the end of his two-year stint, openside flanker Nepia Fox-Matamua is also on the lengthy list which also signals an exit for Nottingham recruit Danny Qualter, Danie Poolman, Rory Parata, Shane O’Leary, Lewis Stevenson, Rory Moloney, Josh Rowland, Ivan Soroka and the Ulster-bound John Cooney.
CEO of the Western province Willie Ruane wished each of the men well as they left the club, but made sure to offer words specifically to Loughney.
“It would be hard not to give a special mention to Locks who has given so much to Connacht Rugby over the years. He epitomises the core values of not only Connacht but also rugby. He is a credit to his family and to the West of Ireland and he will be sorely missed around the Sportsground. I know that he is hugely proud of the province and he should be so proud of his own contribution to all that is good about Connacht Rugby.
“We recognise and value the role all these men have played and we will celebrate it together with our supporters at the game on Saturday.”
Loughney says the stint with his native province was ‘a dream come true’, adding:
I am incredibly proud of what the club has achieved.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to all the great teammates, coaches, management and staff that I’ve had the privilege of working with over the years. I’ve had the honour of playing alongside a remarkable group of players who have also become close friends.
“I would also like to thank our wonderful supporters who have stood by us through thick and thin and have made the Sportsground the fortress it is today. Thanks for your incredible support down through the years.
“I am excited for the future and the next challenge. And will forever cherish my time with this great club.”
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Fitzgibbon but I’m biased. Think he was the exceptiona youngl hurler in 2018
@Ger Buckley: Hayes but I’m biased, Fitzgibbon is some talent but Hayes performance in the final and not just his points…
Fitzgibbon by a mile. Hayes exceptional in the final, but over the course of the whole championship Fitzgibbon has to win.
Hayes performance in the final gives him a short head verdict over Fitzgibbon
@Tim Brennan: Over the full Championship, Fitzgibbon was much better.
@MK76: ok I’ll drop the distance to a nose- he’s good but u21 final was a let down and he should have been sent off – Hayes has the medal and to the victor the laurels
@Tim Brennan: U21 doesn’t count Tim.
Kyle Hayes, he drove Limerick to win an All Ireland, he was MOTM by a country mile. He will be a future cv and captain for Limerick. No disrespect but Coleman and Fitzgibbon were part of a Cork team that should never have lost the under 21 final, they were both poor and went missing in the game.
@Fergus McGrath: under 21 final does not have relevance to this.
@Fergus McGrath: I think they were too overconfident in the 21 final. They were totally out hurled by a quicker and better prepared Tipp team who admittedly underperformed in the 21 Munster final. Hayes all the way on this one.
Easily Fitzgibbon. Great hurler. Great year.
I’m biased too but Kyle Hayes’ display in the Final was special. When the Limerick scores were drying up he had a major say and he was still hurling fearlessly in those last eight minutes when the ’94 virus or tiredness was gripping many of the team. Such an athlete.
Love to see Hayes win but wouldn’t begrudge either him or Fitzgibbon winning it out, both had a tremendous year and did themselves and their county pround.
Kyle Hayes deserves it
I’m biased too but Hayes just ahead of Fitzgibbon , I think Coleman was well below the standard he set last year.
cmon Flembomb – no Darryl Murphy?
Cmon Flembomb – No Daryl Murphy?