CONNACHT HAVE MOVED to reinforce their backline options with the loan signing of centre Tom Daly from Leinster until the end of the current season.
The 25-year-old, who has endured an injury-hit two years, moves west to join province ahead of the Guinness Pro14 inter-pro meeting between the sides at the RDS on Saturday evening [KO 7.45pm, eir Sport/Premier Sport].
Connacht coach Andy Friend was keen to bolster his resources after being hit by a number of injuries, with Craig Ronaldson, Niyi Adeolokun, Eoin Griffin, Peter Robb and Colm De Buitlear all currently sidelined.
The acquisition of former Ireland U20 international Daly is a timely boost for the province, and the short-term deal to move to the Sportsground presents him with an opportunity to get valuable game time under his belt.
Daly, who has been part of the Leinster senior squad since 2016, spent most of last season on the sidelines with a serious knee injury and has made just two appearances off the bench this term having spent further time in the treatment room.
At international level, the Carlow native has played for Ireland at U18, U19 and U20 level and will provide cover in a number of positions for Connacht, while also being a place-kicking option.
“We are delighted to announce that Tom will now be joining us on a loan deal until the end of the season to bolster our squad,” Friend said.
Tom is a powerful player who is capable of making a real contribution to our season and I’m sure he will integrate well into our existing squad.
Daly — who has made just 12 senior appearances for Leinster in three years — will be in competition with Tom Farrell, Bundee Aki and Kyle Godwin in the Connacht midfield, although is unlikely to be available to face his native province this weekend.
Aki, meanwhile, has returned from New Zealand following his wedding and trained with the Connacht squad in Galway this afternoon, as Friend’s side prepare for their trip to Dublin.
The western province — who sit third in Conference B — have won five games on the bounce in all competitions, but have beaten Leinster just once in the capital since 1955.
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I can’t see many having sympathy given his past.
He shamed the country. I feel sorry for the other riders whose horses ran without drugs and didn’t cheat. And that’s saying nothing about the staged burglary to steal the B blood sample from the HQ of Show jumping Ireland in the dead of night. It made us look like a bunch of gombeens.
Here come the horsey set with their red thumbs in support of Cian, tally-ho suckers !
The brown envelope comes to mind with this decision .. Shafted ..
They did however win the Most Ironically Named Horse Award.
Why did the fella run out in front of him?
Shame Sepp Blatter wasn’t in charge. Could of made a deal.
Juicstice served?
I see a lot of people saying stuff like this.. what did he do I know nothing about the man?
He won gold. Horse later tested positive. B samples went missing after a suspicious break in. Something like that.
Sound mate
Good. He’s only a cheat anyway.
I feel sorry for a lot of irish jockeys lately . Bertram Allen and yesterday Richard Howley have both being wronged by the FEI on tiny, tiny infringements. Yet they ,themselves, don’t make a big call like this which is an infringement on the actual course .
They .the FEI
Was it not when that man was in the way that O’Connor did not follow procedure to point out the unexpected obstacle?
In saying that it is a pity.
Yes. The rules are that he had to pull the horse up during the round and lodge the complaint straight away. Cian didn’t….he finished the round. Had one fence down, which was the fence directly after the man running across him, but he completed the round. Only lodged a complaint and apply after he lost out on qualification by one place because of the four faults. An International showjumper at that level should know the rules. Even more so for Cian considering his past.
Exactly, in cases like this you must stop your round and ask the judges to let you re-start it. Had he done so I am sure the judges would have allowed him to re-start. However by carrying on he was looking for two bites at the cherry. Correct decision to reject his appeal.
How is Show Jumping in the Olympics anyway? It’s presence makes a mockery off all the competitors in the real sports. Shouldn’t really be allowed. Dressidge is another one. Who came up with that nonsense?
Why isn’t horse racing included like showjumping?
What a stupid comment to make… showjumping is one of Irelands most successful sports, people who partake in any equestrian sport train just as hard as anyother sport.. its takes a lot of time, commitment and work to get to the levels of these riders and animals and its not dressidge its dressage..if you dont know the sport dont comment on it
Janis, I hardly think people who partake in equestrian “sport” have to work hard. Show Jumping and Horsey Racing are pretty much spectator sports for the riders. Sit back, relax is what’s on the cards during a ride. The only time a rider would break sweat is if they’re hitting the horse really hard with the riding crop, or maybe kicking it with the spurs. Horsey people love being cruel to animals. They’re all involved in fox-hunting and badger-baiting and the like. Stuck-up idiots
I’m surprised O’Connor took the rap…
Clearly the gag went over people’s heads (the horse usually gets the rap).
Oconnor unfairly shafted again
The rules are the rules for everyone, maybe Cian might try learning them and then following them. He lost the appeal let that be the end of it.
Not surprised at all. The incident may have cost Ireland their place because O’Connor was more concerned about the guy running out in front of him than getting on with the job and setting his horse right for the next jump. Anyway, when the jockey’s arse is bigger than the horse’s arse, our expectations weren’t high.
I Connor plus drugs equals trouble for everyone around him. Shame on him as his behaviour deserved a lifetime ban since he threatened our most valuable industry horses and farming( both linked by their very nature). I hate when people clap him at the RDS as it is like Roy Keane in the World Cup. Yet they both did well from their disgusting behaviour. This guy should have been jailed but no in Ireland he gets rewarded, just like some of our politicians snd bankers.
Most likely your man was on the same drug as Waterford crystal