IRELAND INTERNATIONAL ERIC O’Sullivan is one of three Ulster players who have had their contracts extended by the province.
Ulster announced today that O’Sullivan, Greg Jones and Shea O’Brien have signed-on with the side ahead of the 2023-24 season.
O’Sullivan, 27, recently hit his 100-cap milestone for the province against Glasgow Warriors. The prop has made one appearance of the Ireland senior team, against Scotland in the 2020 Autumn Nations Series.
Since arriving in Belfast in 2017, the Dublin-born player has gone onto be a significant part of Ulster’s front row. His latest contract extension will see him remain at Kingspan Stadium until at least July 2024.
“This is a really exciting time to be a part of this team, and I’m delighted to commit to the club for another year,” O’Sullivan said.
Jones, who made his debut for the province in 2017, will also line-out for the Ulster men for at least another year. The 27-year-old will add depth to Dan McFarland’s forward options in the back row.
O’Brien, 23, sees his performance under a development contract rewarded with a new two-year senior deal.
Coming through the club game, the Newry man first came to the attention of Ulster Rugby playing for City of Armagh RFC where he won the Bank of Ireland Senior Cup in March 2020 in a standout performance.
At the weekend, O’Brien was responsible for two tries in a home win which sees City of Armagh promoted to the top division of the All Ireland League next season.
Ulster head coach Dan McFarland said: “It’s great to have Greg and Eric sign on again. Both have contributed a huge amount in their time here and continue to develop year on year.
“Shea is a player with promise who has gained a lot through his experience in the province’s club game, and during his time as a development prospect. I look forward to him continuing that journey with Ulster in the coming years.”
What a left hook
@Joe Bloggs: what a chin
I watched this live. The punch from Uzcategui was after the bell. Dirrell himself showed allot class and sportsmanship, approaching Uzcategui to say he forgave him. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for Dirrell’s corner. They started a fight at ringside and then when they eventually got in the ring Dirrell’s uncle carried out this cowardly attack on Uzcategui.
Hopefully he was arrested immediate after and charged with assault.
@SYM-Metal: UPDATE: There is an official police report filed. Mr Leon Lawson is wanted on 2 counts of assault in the 1st and 2nd degree,by the state of Maryland.
Mr Lawson was not arrested at the scene and is still at large. He faces a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
@SYM-Metal: The bell went when he was swinging. Fair enough it did connect after which is illegal but I don’t think it was 100% intentional.
As for Andre Dirrell, the guy has absolutely no balls whatsoever. It’s sickening how much of a quitter he is. Absolute play acting pretending he couldn’t continue as he knew he had a chance of a DQ win if he quit, it wasn’t as if he was caught with a sucker punch, they were still fighting. He was even getting up and decided to go back down. I would have given him the benefit of the doubt had he not done something similar against Arthur Abraham.
As for his uncle that was despicable, kind of funny I can’t lie, but horrible.
@SYM-Metal: I thought it was marginal if it was late. I think the refs positioning was poor in that situation with dirrell being backed in the corner and uzcategui letting his hands go with the round almost over the ref should have been right on the action,instead of a few yards away. A fighter in the mode of a combo is unlikely to just be able tot stop it when he is already in motion, talking about milliseconds in this instance.
@Seamus Cummins: you could hear Dirrell’s corner telling him to stay down
DJ Khaled should have done more to prevent that
Classy stuff.
Uncle Bam
Poor Dirrell can never catch a break.
@Leon: I think he’s the one catching the breaks and making the most of them.