Connacht wield the axe as a dozen players depart the Sportsground

CONNACHT’S recruitment ability is about to be put to the test after a dozen players have exited the Sportsground.

The 12 players include heroes of the province’s momentous 2016 PRO12 campaign in Niyi Adeolokun, Eoin McKeon and Tom McCartney.

It was already known that New Zealand native and hooker McCartney had hung up his boots, but the departures of winger Adeolokun and second-row McKeon will come as a surprise.

McCartney has spent six years with Connacht, amassing 112 appearances, and his teak-tough style endeared him to local fans.

McKeon, a native of Galway city, departs Connacht having played 137 times since his debut in April 2010, but has had his fair share of injuries, including shoulder issues.

Adeolokun also didn’t get a clear run with injuries, but was still capped 94 times and had the distinction of scoring a try in that famous PRO12 final win over Leinster at Murrayfield.

Also joining the exodus from Connacht are Kyle Godwin, Joe Maksymiw and David Horwitz who have all completed their two-year contracts after joining in the summer of 2018.

As previously announced, influential flanker Colby Fainga’a and Robin Copeland are joining French sides Lyon and Soyaux Angouleme respectively.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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