Buccaneers trio sign professional contracts with Connacht

Three Buccaneers players - Niall Murray, Colm Reilly and Seán Masterson - are among six players who have signed professional contracts with Connacht Rugby.

Murray from Brideswell and Reilly, from close to Ballinasloe, helped Ireland to U-20 Six Nations Grand Slam success last year. They were also selected on Ireland's squad for last year's U-20 World Championship in Argentina.

In addition to Murray, Reilly and Masterson, the others to sign pro contracts with Connacht are Conor Dean, Jordan Duggan and Peter Sullivan. They will all be integrated into the professional squad ahead of next season, having come through the Connacht Academy.

Murray has come through the Connacht grassroots system and the Buccaneers lock made his professional debut for Connacht last December. He came off the bench in the victory over Gloucester in the Heineken Champions Cup, before his first start against Leinster.

Reilly represented Ballinasloe RFC before joining up with Buccaneers. The talented scrum-half won a Connacht Senior Schools Cup with Garbally College, where his father Stephen is principal. Reilly scored the crucial Grand Slam-winning try in the final game away to Wales during last year's U-20 Six Nations campaign.

Like Murray, Seán Masterson also has experience in Connacht's professional squad. The back-row forward from Portarlington made his debut in the PRO14 victory over Treviso, replacing his brother Eoghan.

Out-half Conor Dean has already been capped for Connacht, starting in Thomond Park against Munster in the final game of the 2018/19 PRO14 regular season. He also impressed for the Connacht Eagles in the most recent Celtic Cup campaign.

Prop Jordan Duggan has been capped with Ireland at U-19 and U-20 level, and played for Ireland at the U-20 World Championship.

Peter Sullivan joined the Connacht Academy last season having impressed in the All-Ireland League. The winger also stood out for the Connacht Eagles in the 2019/20 Celtic Cup campaign.

Head Coach Andy Friend said the announcement confirms the belief the coaching staff have in the Connacht Academy system.

"I am a firm believer that a club’s lifeline is its Academy structure, and this exciting group of young players proves that the Connacht Academy is extremely healthy, and will continue to have a positive impact on our squad going forward,” said Friend.

Congratulating all of the players, Friend gave special thanks to "all the people who have helped them get to their point of their careers – particularly the Academy department led by Eric Elwood, their respective clubs and schools, and most importantly their family and friends”.

Connacht Academy manager Eric Elwood also congratulated the six players.

"It has been a pleasure to watch the players develop and grow over the years and we wish them well on the next step of their journey in their rugby careers," said Elwood, adding that it is "particularly pleasing to see two more local lads come through the grassroots programme".