Big lift for Connacht as IRFU to extend player contracts

Date Published: 01-Dec-2010

STEPHEN GLENNON

CONNACHT Rugby CEO Gerry Kelly has indicated that the future of the professional game in the province is secure for the immediate future.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s major announcement by the IRFU and Connacht Rugby, CEO Kelly told Tribune Sport: “All I can say, we expect it to be a very positive conference on the future of Connacht rugby. I wouldn’t say we have nothing to fear, but we are certainly looking forward to it.”

Having been operating on a year-to-year basis in recent times, it is understood that this arrangement has been extended to three years by the IRFU, allowing those at Connacht Rugby to make definite plans in developing the professional game between now and 2013.

It was announced in November of last year that a governance and operations review of Connacht Rugby would be taking place – leading some to speculate that the IRFU may rescind the province’s professional status to make a saving of an estimated €2.5 million – but it now appears this will not be the case.

“The announcement is the realisation of the review and of the findings of the review,” says Kelly. “The outcome of the review itself was known in June, but negotiations on the future of Connacht rugby then had to take place over the last few months. The announcement on Friday will confirm what the future holds for Connacht.”

Currently, only a small number of players – including Galway duo John Muldoon and Johnny O’Connor – hold contracts until the conclusion of the 2011/12 season, meaning Connacht must act decisively over the coming weeks if they are to retain a squad of players that has shown marked improvement under Coach Eric Elwood’s guidance during the current campaign.

One of Connacht’s main priorities will be Ireland hooker Sean Cronin, who featured prominently in the recent international test series. Indeed, Cronin’s inclusion in the Ireland set-up, in many respects, underlined the value of having four strong provinces feeding into the national squad.