Connacht have captured the signing of Exeter Chiefs lock Aly Muldowney on a three-year contract.
The Stafford-born second row has spent the last two seasons with the Chiefs, racking up 35 caps in the Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup competitions.
This season, he featured in five out of six of Exeter's Heineken Cup games in a difficult group with quarter finalists ASM Clermont Auvergne, winning praise for an outstanding display in the Chiefs win over the Scarlets.
Muldowney, aged 29, is Irish qualified by virtue of his father being born in Newbridge, Co.Kildare.
"Aly is a player we have looked at for some time; our coaching staff have watched him a lot and identified him as one of our key recruitment targets," said Connacht CEO Tom Sears.
"Pat Lam has also been kept in the loop and is delighted he will have Aly in his squad for next season.
"He is a very physical, ball carrying Irish qualified lock who gets through an enormous amount of work and we have managed to get him to Connacht ahead of stiff competition from several sides in the Aviva Premiership and elsewhere.
"We are putting a great deal of work into a recruitment for next year and finding a leading Irish qualified player to bolster our options in the second row was one of the priorities. We are looking to recruit further at lock and other positions and are looking at a number of potential signings before next season.
"I'm delighted to have signed with Connacht and I'm very much looking forward to joining the club, improving my rugby and adding what I can to the squad," said Muldowney.
"I've really enjoyed my time at Chiefs, they are a great club and have a really good squad. Rob (Baxter) and Ali (Hepher) have really helped me improve my game over the last two years.
"I have watched Connacht play in the Heineken Cup this year and they are a really tough side with some great players. We don't have too many places where we can watch the league, but having played Connacht before whilst at Glasgow I know that they are a tough opposition to come up against. So I'm really looking forward to being a part of that team and adding what I can. It's an exciting time for the club also, with a new Head Coach coming in.
Comments
the_side_step says...
Interesting that the new coach is being kept in the loop rather than signing players he wants!! I haven't seen enough of this guy to comment on his ability but if he is good enough Ireland are in need of some second rows! The Toner project doesn't look like it is going to bear fruit!! Ireland need to be looking at the likes of Ruddock or McLaughlin moving to second Row!
Posted 11:40 26th January 2013
gleek says...
Would be good to get Tommy Hayes and Ryan Cadwell back in Ireland too. I think Ireland look very light in the 2nd row at the moment. Nagle and Henderson look to be the future but at the moment D. Ryan is our only international class lock.
POC is injured, DOC diminished, McCarthy and Touhy v. good players but a level below the players representing England, France, Scotland and the SH nations.
Posted 13:16 25th January 2013
BiggyFint says...
Don't know much about him but he seems like a big unit and Exeter have a similar ethic to Connacht so hopefully he will fit in well. Its great to see Connacht making so many signings but we need at least another second row. Swifty can't be expected to play every game.
Posted 22:40 24th January 2013
Honestpom says...
Big loss for Exeter, he has been very impressive in his time there. Great signing for Connacht
Posted 17:51 24th January 2013
99call says...
Dont know anything about him but Exeter have been doing well over the past season or so and if hes getting regular game time he must be OK, glad to see the likes of Connacht going out and signing Irish qualified players rather than journeyman foreigners
Posted 16:37 24th January 2013