CIAN KELLEHER WILL take his career to West London next season after English Championship leaders Ealing Trailfinders confirmed his signing from Leinster.
Kelleher, who can operate on the wing or as a fullback, has scored 12 tries in 26 appearances across two spells with Leinster.
The 26-year-old Dubliner – whose younger brother is Leinster hooker Ronan Kelleher – returned to the province in 2019, having spent the previous three seasons with Connacht.
“I’d like to thank Leinster Rugby for my time with the club,” he said. “It’s been enjoyable and particularly getting to play with my brother and best friends once again. They’re memories I’ll cherish.
“The last year has been strange to say the least and it would have been great to have played in front of the supporters in the RDS Arena one more time, but it’s not meant to be. I would like to thank them all for their support of me during the highs and the lows of my time here and the welcome afforded to me on my return.
“I’m really excited by the challenge in Ealing Trailfinders and it’s one I’m relishing over in the UK. I’m looking forward to linking up with Ben Ward and with Kieran Campbell joining next season as well, it’s a club with really exciting ambitions that I’m thrilled to be a part of.
“I want to finish my time with Leinster in the right manner and then I’ll look to start a new chapter with Ealing which I can’t wait to get started.”
Kelleher’s most recent outing for Leinster came against Connacht earlier this month, when he contributed a try to a 51-20 victory over his former side in the Rainbow Cup.
“Cian is a very exciting signing for the club and he will bring a wealth of experience of playing top-level rugby,” said Ealing Trailfinders director of rugby Ben Ward. “He has great footwork and the ability to beat defenders which will be exciting to watch especially on our pitch.
“He had a very successful spell at Connacht before returning to Leinster and I’m delighted that he has brought into the vision and ongoing project at Ealing Trailfinders to sign with us.”
That’s what happens when you stûpidly go from Connacht back to Leinster after failing the first time !
@Darren Mullins: Not sure about that, theres a lot to be said for wanting to play for your home province and if any player thinks they can make it then they want to try. Guess a return to Connacht wasn’t on the cards as they have some real quality wings at present, and Ealing apear to be offering good money, certainly won’t be on championship teams pay, prob more than Connacht would have offered him.
@Kingshu: 100%
@Kingshu: Henshaw should definitely return to partner Aki again at his home province of Connacht.
@Mentis Green: Sure he’ll get to partner him for the Lions first.
@Kingshu: I’m not too fond of the lions but it’s a start ;)
@Mentis Green: why would he want to play for a team who doesn’t win silverware when he could play for one of the best teams in Europe, his actual home team where he was born, Leinster.
@Ger: Connacht were Pro12 champions in 2016 and he was born in Ballinasloe Galway.
Played with Marist College with is 100% part of the Connacht Schools League and was came up through the Connacht Rugby set up.
To try to claim he is anything otherwise is pretty pathetic.
Hard to believe he is only 26, around a long time. Should have stayed west.
@Ronan: can only assume he’s being offered good money. He was never going to be an international so he may as well profit as much as he can.
Sad to see him go as I think he’s still a valuable squad member. Best of luck to him all the same.
Hardly a bad move, Ealing are in the top division next year
@Al Byrne: You don’t think Scarcens will go up? Or do you think both will go up and the premiership ringfenced?
Does he ever unpack his suitcase I wonder
Are there more to leave at Leinster?… 42 seem slow to report these.
@thesaltyurchin: Leinster haven’t made any announcement of departures
Maybe it’s part of the plan but would see him as mid table premiership level at worst. Seems like a step back for a good finisher.
Adam Byrne must be returning to full fitness
@Anton Phelan: is Adam Byrne better than Kelleher? I’d have them on a par. I think he actually scores more than Byrne, but would need to fact check that, I rarely seen Byrne score in the RDS. I know there’s more to a winger than scoring but it is a function, but overall, if it was between the two would you pick Byrne?