MUNSTER HAVE MANAGED to hold on to two of their prize talents with confirmation that Keith Earls and Conor Murray have both signed new IRFU contracts.
Earls committed his future to Munster with a new three-year deal — just days after he was strongly linked with a move to Aviva Premiership champions Saracens.
And Anthony Foley’s side received a further boost as scrum-half Murray agreed a similar extension which will keep him at the province through to the end of the 2019 World Cup.
The IRFU announced both deals within minutes of each other this afternoon as Ireland continue preparations for their Six Nations opener against Wales on 7 February.
Earls, 28, was thought to be on the brink of a move to Saracens earlier this week with family matters believed to be a key consideration in the cross-channel switch.
But Munster never gave up hope of holding on to the ‘world-class’ wing and, as late as yesterday, said that a deal to keep him at Thomond Park could still be done.
“We are delighted that Keith has signed a new IRFU contract which will see him remain a Munster player until the end of the 2019 season,” IRFU performance director David Nucifora said in a statement.
“Keith is a gifted footballer and has shown great commitment throughout his rugby career for both Munster and Ireland.
The IRFU are committed to retaining players like Keith and we know that Munster and Ireland supporters will be delighted with today’s news.
Fears that Murray could be tempted abroad were largely allayed in December when the scrum-half publicly stated his desire to agree a new deal.
“Having come through the Munster Academy it was a special moment for me and my family when I made my Munster debut in 2010, and to go on to represent Ireland is every young rugby player’s dream,” he said in a statement.
“I look forward to pulling on the Munster and Ireland jerseys in the years to come.”
Very sentimental appointment. Let’s hope he can do a job but I think he may be past his best.
@De Zach Same: I hope I’m wrong, but I suspect this won’t result in promotion.
@De Zach Same: working for United at moment. Getting a club legend in who knows the club might just work. But yeah maybe 10 years to late.
We need to see Tony o donoghue covering forest matches if this happens
Forest fans seem to be getting behind it looking on Twitter even tho some think it’s 15 years to late. Some are hoping Keane is gonna be number 2 I can’t see that myself Keane won’t accept anything less than 100% and that will sadly just lead to fall outs with the modern player, so I can’t see O Neil wanting him there daily. Hope O Neil does well great job to get as they are only few points of the playoffs. Done well for Ireland ended badly I look back at time in a positive way even tho some irish fans dont.
@irishoverseas: I guess that the majority of Forest fans haven’t had to endure the last 2 years of the Irish national team, and listen to his press conferences. Ignorance is bliss. I hope I’m wrong and that we at least get into the playoffs.
@Fergal O’ Reilly: I see ur point the last 2 years were awful but what can Forest expect? A manager who’s being amazing for for that past year or so? If that was the case they wouldn’t be taking the forest job. Hes proven he can do well but like any manager the they 3 years max in job these especially if ur manager in the championship. His time with Irish job was good for the first few years but then he like most managers it came to end and results stopped. If Forest get a good 18 months out of him they could be promoted.
It goes from bad to worse.
Did you know he won two European Cups?! If you didn’t, don’t worry – he’ll tell you.
Can’t wait for RTE to announce that Tony O’Donoghue is being reassigned to UK Midlands correspondent!
good appointment
very successful club manager
3, 2, 1 and……
MON: well let me tell you about a man called Brian Clough and how he got us to play
Zzzzzzzzzzz
Won’t get promotion this year I’d imagine ! Doesn’t have a war chest , or a team dripping in players bought for inflated purses . He has a job to get them up and let’s hope the players buy in and , don’t have inflated ego s and throw their toys out of the pram .
@Tricksy: Marinakis has more than enough money. Funding won’t be a problem, they spent £23m in the summer.
@Colm O’Sullivan: financial fair play should mean they have nothing to spend but when did that matter
@Tricksy: Forest are only 4 points off a promotion place, and it’s still only January. On top of that, Forest now have more spending power than most Championship teams – my point being that the season was FAR from being a right off when Karanka left. In fact there’s still EVERYTHING to play for – I just think O’Neill’s the wrong guy for the task.
@Fergal O’ Reilly: *write-off
@Brian Les: It’s net spend that counts though, and as this season’s gate receipts are significantly up on last season’s, then they might be ok from a FFP point of view
Condolences to all Forest Fans
So is he going to get a proper assistant this time and not a novelty one
U will see sales of neck braces go thru the roof in Nottingham so.
It’s Daryl Murphy that I feel sorry for. Retires from international football to escape MON & RK and now they follow him to Forest!
It’s Daryl Murphy that I feel sorry for. Retires from international football to escape MON & RK and now they follow him to Forest!
It’s Daryl Murphy that I feel sorry for. Retires from international football to escape MON & RK and now they follow him to Forest!
It’s Daryl Murphy that I feel sorry for. Retires from international football to escape MON & RK and now they follow him to Forest!
Joker