Connacht Setting Up Squad For Next Season
The decision by captain Andrew Farley to extend his contract with Connacht means that Michael Bradley’s squad for the 2008/09 season is taking shape.
Andrew Farley’s signature sees 27 players signed for the province for next season with contract negotiations ongoing with a number of players.
Ulster scrum half Kieran Campbell, Shannon hooker Sean Cronin and Irish-qualified Kiwi out-half Troy Nathan will be three new faces in the Connacht squad.
A total of 13 players (Gavin Duffy, David Gannon, John Hearty, Liam Bibo, Mel Deane, Tim Donnelly, Keith Matthews, Michael McCarthy, Johnny O’Connor, John Muldoon, Ray Ofisa, Danny Riordan and Brett Wilkinson) will start the second of two-year contracts next season.
Six more players (Adrian Flavin, Ronan Loughney, Robbie Morris, Conor O’Loughlin, Michael Swift and Aidan Wynne) will start two-year contracts next season.
Farley will be joined on one-year deals by Colm Rigney, Andrew Browne, John Lyne and Brian McGovern.
“Negotiations are ongoing with a number of players at the moment. It is good to have a settled squad that is developing all the time,” said Connacht CEO Gerry Kelly.
CONNACHT Squad: Backs – Gavin Duffy, Mel Deane, Tim Donnelly, Kieran Campbell, John Hearty, Troy Nathan, Danny Riordan, Keith Matthews, Liam Bibo, Conor O’Loughlin, Aidan Wynne.
Forwards – David Gannon, Johnny O’Connor, Andrew Farley, John Muldoon, Ray Ofisa, Brett Wilkinson, Colm Rigney, Andrew Browne, Sean Cronin, John Lyne, Michael McCarthy, Brett McGovern, Adrian Flavin, Ronan Loughney, Robbie Morris, Michael Swift.