CONNACHT HAVE CONFIRMED that 21 players have signed new contracts with the province ahead of the 2021/2022 season.
In all, 19 players from Andy Friend’s existing senior squad have extended their respective stays at the Sportsground, with Oran McNulty and Cian Prendergast making the jump from academy contracts to full-time deals.
Guinness Pro14 joint-top try-scorer Alex Wootton has made his initial loan deal from Munster a permanent move, while four Irish internationals — Finlay Bealham, Jack Carty, Ultan Dillane and Dave Heffernan — have also signed extensions.
Gavin Thornbury, whose current form at provincial level may well see him feature for Ireland before long, is also among those to have put pen to paper.
“I am delighted to see so many of our current crop of players sign on for another season,” said head coach Friend. “This is still a very challenging time for everyone in Irish rugby so to have them commit to Connacht Rugby again says it all about the belief we have as a group to continue the progress we’re making.
“Seventeen of the 21 players were once part of the Connacht academy, and in that group we have a mix of established Irish internationals, experienced players within the province and plenty of young players still in the early stages of their careers.
“I have been very impressed by Cian Prendergast and Oran McNulty, and their first professional contracts is the culmination of years of work from grassroots level to where they are now. Congratulations not just to them but their parents, coaches and all the other volunteers who helped them along the way.
“We are continuing to shape the squad for next season, with further discussions ongoing, and supporters should expect more positive news in the weeks and months ahead.”
Connacht say that the province’s “retention and recruitment remains ongoing” and that “further announcements will be made in due course.”
Full list of new contracts ahead of 2021/22 season as announced on Thursday
Finlay Bealham
Paul Boyle
Denis Buckley
Matthew Burke
Jack Carty
Shane Delahunt
Ultan Dillane
Jordan Duggan
Conor Fitzgerald
Dave Heffernan
Eoghan Masterson
Sean Masterson
Oran McNulty
Niall Murray
Conor Oliver
John Porch
Cian Prendergast
Colm Reilly
Peter Sullivan
Gavin Thornbury
Alex Wootton
Gavan Casey, Bernard Jackman, and Murray Kinsella discuss CVC’s share in the Six Nations, TV rights, Ireland’s trip to Edinburgh, and last weekend’s inter-pros:
The42 Rugby Weekly / SoundCloud
Thank Christ I didn’t go to the bookies today
Last night is all of a sudden more bearable now
This year has had some amazing cup results…
Do city even care? Just back from a money spinner in Dubai last night.
And Southampton
City and Chelsea look to be heading out, I doubt either team will be too worried but annoyance for the fans.
Add spurs too.
What a performance by the Boro. Absolutely delighted. Tomlin destroyed Company all game. Well done lads.
Yup defo now. 4 – 2 Bradford, 2 nil M’boro.
The magic of the cup is back…. Just hope it stops for this afternoons game!
Heskey s going to come back to haunt you! Liverpool could easily trip up here. No pun intended….
Trip up today? No shlt, seen some of the results so far? Pool will easily thrash them, or get a nasty fright or defeat….
I am waiting for Mourinho to give his ‘cup games in English are special and unique talk’!!!!! I hope he does one!
He just did Graham on BBC , embarrassing is how he has described it, and he’s right to ….. LVG In !!!!!!
About time…. This reminded me of Zola v Liverpool years ago…. That Cup magic in full effect….
MON and Roy Keane should be trying to get Patrick bamford .the chaps a out and out goalscorer..
The true magic of the cup lads!
Its uniteds to win now with city chelsea and spurs gone but u cant write off another upset
A Bolton win tonight, and Bristol and Brighton tomorrow, get to paddy powers.
Fool
Why is he a fool Luke? You were saved by Gudjohnsen’s poor aim today , suck it up little boy
I guess the reason you Go round calling people “little boy”is because that’s what you are.
I’m really worried about being called a fool by an anonymous idiot who’s afraid to put his name to his opinion. I can call call you what I want because I’m not really saying it to you, just your childish avatar and pseudonym, grow up.