Connacht Rugby has confirmed that seven new players have been offered contracts with the NUIG Connacht Academy under Nigel Carolan from the beginning of 2015/16 season.
Photo L-R: Conor Kyne, Cormac Brennan, Pat O’Toole, Cian Romaine, Stephen MceVeigh, Conor Lowndes, Conan O’Donnell of the NUIG Connacht Academy. (c) Inpho Photography.
Eoghan Masterson, Ultan Dillane and Caolin Blade all graduated to the senior squad this season after earning valuable game time in the Guinness PRO12 and European Challenge Cup last year.
Of the seven new Academy recruits, Conan O’Donnell, Stephen McVeigh and Cian Romaine played pivotal roles with this year’s Ireland Under-20’s in both the IRB 6 Nations and World Rugby Championship.
The Galwegians RFC trio of Cormac Brennan, Conor Kyne and Conor Lowndes have also been recruited while hooker Pat O’Toole who played for the Connacht Eagles last season joins from Galway club Corinthians.
Cormac Brennan Back Three Galwegians RFC
Conor Kyne Loose Head Prop Galwegians RFC
Conor Lowndes Scrum Half Galwegians RFC
Stephen McVeigh Back Row Buccaneers RFC
Conan O’Donnell Tight Head Prop Sligo RFC
Pat O’Toole Hooker Corinthians RFC
Cian Romaine Lock Buccaneers RFC
Speaking about the upcoming season and new crop of players, Academy Manager Nigel Carolan said:
“It’s great to have such a talented group of players coming into the Academy for the coming season. They were all members of the Sub-Academy system last year so they know what we’re about and the sacrifices that are required in pursuit of their goals of becoming professional rugby players.
“The aim of the Connacht Academy is to produce future winning professional rugby players for Connacht who will go on to play for Ireland. We are delighted that Robbie (Henshaw) and Kieran (Marmion) are achieving success at national level, but it’s also great for Eoghan (Masterson), Ultan (Dillane) and Caolin (Blade) to have their hard work rewarded with promotion to the Connacht Pro Team this year. We want to see more and more Academy graduates playing for Connacht and Ireland.”
Full list of NUIG Connacht Academy 2015/16
YEAR 3
James Connolly Back Row
Jamie Dever Tight-Head Prop
Saba Meunargia Tight-Head Prop
Rory Moloney Back Row
Sean O’Brien Back Row/Lock
Rory Parata Centre
Jacob Walshe Loose-Head Prop
YEAR 2
Shane Delahunt Hooker
Jack Dinneen Hooker
Ciaran Gaffney Back Three
Marc Kelly Back Row
Conor McKeon Outhalf
Peter Robb Centre
YEAR 1
Cormac Brennan Back Three
Conor Kyne Loose Head Prop
Conor Lowndes Scrum Half
Stephen McVeigh Back Row
Conan O’Donnell Tight Head Prop
Pat O’Toole Hooker
Cian Romaine Lock