Connacht Monthly Awards For Muldoon And Griffin

The Galway-born duo were selected by the Connacht management team in each month as one of three nominees for their hard work and commitment both on and off the pitch. They both went on to win the highest number of votes from the Connacht supporters across social media.

Named as one of three club captains this year, the 31-year-old John Muldoon has had a phenomenal season in the Connacht jersey.

After ten years of playing with his home province, the back rower has shown no signs of slowing down and scored more tries this season than any other.

The Portumna native, who featured in 24 out of 28 games this season, played 80 minutes in all three of the March fixtures against Benetton Treviso, the Newport Gwent Dragons and Scarlets.

Muldoon put in a man-of-the-match performance and scored a brace of tries, making it four scores in two weeks, during Connacht’s bonus point win away to the Dragons. This victory marked a fourth consecutive win for Pat Lam’s men and saw them lift themselves off the bottom of the league table.

The Connacht pack, with the on-field experience of Muldoon, has come under some significant praise this season and Connacht have scored the most tries from driving mauls and had one of the most successful scrums in the league, an aspect of the game-plan that was very pleasing for Muldoon and his long-time forwards coach Dan McFarland.

The month of April saw the westerners come up against strong opponents in provincial rivals and current PRO12 semi-finalists Ulster and Munster.

There were disappointing outcomes from both fixtures but centre Eoin Griffin was commended for his own performances on the pitch.

The 23-year-old, who will line out for London Irish next season having signed a two-year deal with the English Premiership side, played a comprehensive 80 minutes in the centre against both Ulster at Ravenhill and Munster at the Sportsground.

Last Saturday against the Ospreys, Griffin earned his 70th cap in Connacht colours. Coming through the Connacht Academy and capped for the Ireland Under-20s, he spent five seasons playing with his home province.

Richard Hartmann, director of Hartmann Jewellers (pictured below with John Muldoon), said: “Everyone at Hartmanns would like to congratulate both John and Eoin on their Player of the Month awards for March and April. Both men are fantastic ambassadors for Connacht Rugby and testament to the home-grown talent we have here.

“It’s been an up-and-down season for Connacht and its supporters, but we can all see the hard work that is put in by the players week in week out.

“I’d like to wish Eoin Griffin all the best with his move to London Irish next season. We’ve really enjoyed watching him develop here at Connacht and his brilliant performances on the pitch. He will be missed but hopefully we’ll see him in a Connacht jersey again in the not too distant future.

“Hartmann Jewellers have enjoyed our long association with Connacht Rugby. The squad is building nicely for next season and we’re looking forward to working with the province for what promises to be an exciting year of rugby.”