Connacht have agreed professional contracts with six academy players.Β
Diarmuid Kilgallen - who has played on five occasions already for the first team - is among the contingent.
The other players to agree deals are Ciaran Booth, Cathal Forde, Shane Jennings, Oisin McCormack and Darragh Murray.
Forde, Jennings, McCormack and Murray have all represented Ireland at U-20s level.
Booth - primarily a flanker - joined Connacht in the summer of 2020 from Sale Sharks and is Irish qualified.
The contracts begin at the start of next season.
π’ πππ ππππππ ππ πππ π’
Announcing 6οΈβ£ Academy players who have signed Pro contracts π
π Cathal Forde
π Shane Jennings
π Oisin McCormack
π Darragh Murray
π Ciaran Booth
π Diarmuid Kilgallen#GrassrootsToGreenShirts
Full story: https://t.co/a37ucmvqtp pic.twitter.com/gEG5tMBmhFβ Connacht Rugby (@connachtrugby) January 19, 2022
Welcoming the players to the first team, head coach Andy Friend described it as a 'special day'.
βThis is a special day both for Connacht Rugby and for Cathal, Shane, Oisin, Darragh, Ciaran and Diarmuid," the Australian said.
"They have each forged their own paths to professional rugby through hard-work and dedication, and with the help of their coaches, parents and volunteers along the way.
"Itβs particularly pleasing that 4 of the 6 players came through the Connacht pathway, playing their club and school rugby here in the West of Ireland.
"Iβm looking forward to further integrating them into the Pro setup and help us challenge for honours in the years aheadβ
Eric Elwood - who is Connacht's Academy manager - paid tribute to the players and their coaches.
βIβd like to congratulate the six men on their impending move to the Pro team, and to their respective clubs and schools that have played a big part in their success.
"Everyone at Connacht Rugby has worked tremendously hard at all levels to give them the platform to succeed and Iβd like to acknowledge the work done by the coaches as well as the wider Academy staff.
"That said, itβs up to the players themselves to take the opportunities afforded to them and theyβve done just that. I know they each have what is required to take that next step in their careers.β
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