Connacht boosted by new contracts

Rugby:Connacht have been boosted by the re-signing of centurion Mike McCarthy and the capture of backrower Eoghan Grace from the Exeter Chiefs on a two year deal.

McCarthy joined Connacht in 2003 then left for Newcastle Falcons the following season where he earned 67 caps, including seven Heineken Cup appearances in three seasons.

The big secondrow, who returned to Connacht in 2007, was called into the Irish squad ahead of this year’s Six Nations and got his first cap for the Irish Wolfhounds against the English Saxons last month.

The 29-year-old earned his 100th cap for Connacht in the Amlin Challenge Cup against Bayonne this year and his new contract will see him stay at the Sportsground until the end of the 2012/13 season.

“I’m really pleased to commit to Connacht, it’s been a fantastic season so far and this team is really going places,” said McCarthy. “Being part of this squad has helped me to develop as a player and I am looking forward to playing my rugby here for the next two seasons.

Grace was a member of the Ireland Under-20 side that captured the Grand Slam in 2007 and also played for Ireland in the Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament in Dubai.

He was regular with All-Ireland League side Shannon before the 23-year-old backrow was released from his Munster Academy contract (where he was player of the year in 2009) to pursue a season's rugby with Exeter Chiefs.

The Waterford born player has been playing openside flanker but can cover any of the backrow positions. He will join Connacht at the end of this season.

“It’s a great opportunity to come back to Ireland and progress my career with Connacht Rugby,” said Grace “I’ve had a great chance in Exeter this season and have learned a lot from coaching staff there, but a move to Connacht is a positive step in my career and the chance to play with some of the lads and coaches who I played with at underage level at Ireland is just great.”

Connacht coach Eric Elwood is pleased to bolster the squad: “We’re very happy to be keeping Mike onboard, he’s been an integral part of the squad for the last number of seasons and having a senior player with Mike’s professionalism and experience commit to the team is a huge boost.

“We are also very excited about Eoghan joining us next year; he’s a mobile, dynamic ball carrier and will make an excellent addition to our squad. Eoghan was part of the Ireland U20 squad in 2007 so we know what he is capable of and look forward to working with him.”