Connacht sign up two more Irish players

Connacht are continuing to develop their squad for next season as Academy graduate Aaron Conneely and winger Matt Healy are the latest players to have signed new deals with the province.

Conneely has three years with the Connacht Academy under the guidance of manager Nigel Carolan. The the 21-year-old flanker or number eight has flourished during that time. His performances with the Connacht Eagles this season have led to his promotion to the senior squad on a one year development contract.

The Galway-born back rower, who attended Colaiste Iognaid and played all his age grade rugby with Corinthians was part of the Connacht Under-20 side that took the Grand Slam in the interprovincial Championship last year. He has also represent Ireland at Under-18 Schools and Youths, Under-19 and Under-20 levels.

He said: "I'm delighted to have signed a one year contract with the senior squad here. I've developed as a player with Nigel and the Academy over the last three years. It means a lot to me being from Galway and I'm really looking forward to another season with my home province. "

Matt Healy has also put pen to paper on a one-year deal with Connacht. The 24-year-old winger joined the province last summer from Lansdowne and has been consistently involved with the Connacht Eagles since his arrival. The former Gonzaga College school boy earned his first senior cap against Leinster in the Christmas interprovincial clash at the RDS.

Healy has been capped nine times for Ireland Under-20s playing in the 2009 U20 Six Nations and U20 World Championship.

He admitted: “I've really enjoyed my first year with Connacht and I'm so pleased to have signed for another season. There's great work being done at the club and a lot of changes for the season ahead. We're constantly striving to improve on the pitch year on year and I'm excited to be part of that going forward."