Connacht Rugby are delighted to annouce the re-signing of two of the squad's most experiences players. John Muldoon (2 years) and Johnny O'Connor (1 year) have both committed their immediate futures to the province. Muldoon has been in inspirational form so far this season leading by example on the pitch. The 29 year old former captain has three Ireland caps to date and will be looking to play his way back into Declan Kidney's plans with the 6 Nations fast approaching. 

Johnny O'Connor has seen his season curtailed somewhat by injury. The 31 year old who has 12 Ireland Caps is still an inspirational figure in the dressing room and his return to training this week will surely give the squad a lift ahead of the return Heineken Cup game against Gloucester. His five appearances so far this term have proved what an important figure he is in the team.

Connacht’s hopes of earning their 1^st Heineken Cup win were dashed on Saturday as Gloucester won 14-10 in the Sportsground.

Connacht had the chance to draw first blood when Niall O’Connor stood up to take a difficult penalty after the hosts has a fantastic start. His effort drifted just wide after 10 minutes and it was Gloucester who struck first with 2 Freddie Burns penalties in the first quarter. Both sides left no stone unturned as they searched for the games first try and it was English international James Simpson Daniel who crossed for Gloucester on the half hour mark to give the visitors an 11 point lead. This was the stimulus that Connacht needed and right from the kick-off a hard chase was won by Ray Ofisa who set up the platform for captain Gavin Duffy to race in under the posts. Niall O’Connor’s conversion was good an all of a sudden Connacht were right back in contention.

Connacht picked up the second half as they finished the first with strong running, fierce rucking and clean lineout ball and 4 minutes in were rewarded with another Niall O’Connor penalty to leave the gap at just 1 point. Despite Connacht trying every avenue, from rumbling up with the forwards so cutting sharp attacking lines, they were unable to break down the Gloucester defense and, with 8 minutes left on the clock Freddie Burns kicked a penalty for Gloucester to leave the final score Connacht 10 Gloucester 14.

Connacht:

G Duffy, M McCrea, K Tonetti, D McSharry, T O’Halloran, N O’Connor, F Murphy, b Wilkinson, E Reynecke, R Loughney, D Gannon, M McCarthy, J Muldoon, R Ofisa, G Naoupu

A Flavin, D Buckley, R Ah You, M Kearney, E McKeon, P O’Donohoe, M Jarvis, F Vainikolo

Gloucester:

O Morgan, C Sharples, H Trinder, E Fuimaono-Sapolu, J Simpson-Daniel, F Burns, R Lawson, D Christolini, P Buxton, J Hamilton, B Deacon, A Hazell, L Narraway

M Cortese, D Murphy, R Harden, W James, A Qera, N Runciman, T Taylor, J May

All pics (C) www.inpho.ie / James Crombie

Connacht Rugby have announced the team that will face Gloucester on Saturday.

There are 2 changes in the matchday 23 with just 1 change in the starting lineup. Lock Mike McCarthy returns from suspension to replace the injured Michael Swift in the secondrow. He will be partnered by big George Naoupu whilst the athletic backrow of Dave Gannon, John Muldoon and Ray Ofisa will continue the hard graft of the loose forwards. An uncompromising front row of Brett Wilkinson, Ethienne Reynecke and Ronan Loughney complete the pack.

Frank Murphy and Niall O’Connor resume their halfback partnership while Head Coach Eric Elwood shows faith in last week’s backs naming an unchanged backline with Dave McSharry and Kyle Tonetti in the centre and Mark McCrea, Tiernan O’Halloran and captain Gavin Duffy making up the back 3

There’s plenty of talent waiting on the bench with Adrian Flavin, Denis Buckley and Rodney Ah You providing frontrow cover and Mick Kearney and Eoin McKeon covering the loose forwards. Paul O’Donohoe, Matthew Jarvis and Fetu’u Vainikolo add the extra options in the backs.

Connacht XV to face Gloucester (Saturday 10^th December, The Sportsground, Galway kick-off 13.30)

15 Gavin Duffy (C)

14 Mark McCrea

13 Kyle Tonetti

12 Dave McSharry

11 Tiernan O’Halloran

10 Niall O’Connor

09 Frank Murphy

01 Brett Wilkinson

02 Ethienne Reynecke

03 Ronan Loughney

04 Mike McCarthy

05 George Naoupu

06 Dave Gannon

07 John Muldoon

08 Ray Ofisa

16 Adrian Flavin

17 Denis Buckley

18 Rodney Ah You

19 Mick Kearney

20 Eoin McKeon

21 Paul O’Donohoe

22 Matthew Jarvis

23 Fetu’u Vainikolo

Connacht Rugby are delighted to announce the re-signing of two of the clubs most promising backs.

Eoin Griffin and Dave McSharry have both agreed terms that will see the centre pairing remain at the Sportsground until at least 2014.

Eoin Griffin has come through the Connacht Academy system under the guidance of Academy Manager Nigel Carolan. He earned his 1st Academy contract in 2009 and quickly came to the attention of the Senior coaches with his blistering acceleration and neat footwork. He has 9 caps for Ireland U20, scoring a try against Argentina and Samoa in the IRB Junior World Championships last year as well as tries against Wales and England in the 2010 U20 6 Nations. The earned the Man of the Match award for his part in Connacht's 26- 22 victory over Samoa last November.

Dave McSharry joined Connacht this season having  Leinster Academy. The 21 year old former Templeogue schoolboy has played for Ireland at U18 level and was a member of Ireland's U20 World Cup squad in the summer. At 1.88m and 94kg McSharry has already proven his credentials playing for UCD in last season's Ulster Bank League and is quickly becoming known as a key component in the Connacht defensive line. Dave’s attacking prowess came to the fore last weekend when he earned the RaboDirect PRO12 Man of the Match as well as scoring a try in Connacht’s narrow defeat to Treviso. Dave has been an everpresent fixture in the Connacht XV since making his debut back in November, earning his second cap for the Province in Connacht’s maiden Heineken Cup game against Harlequins in the Stoop.

Speaking about the signing:
Dave:
“The best way to develop for us young lads is playing games and that's what we are getting to do here, I'm delighted”
“I had no hesitation when the contract was put in front of me. I have played in a few huge games now and those games can do wonders for you. Playing in those big games is worth 10 training sessions. This is what I want to be doing, playing as much as possible. I'm delighted”
Eoin:
“Well I'm from here so I'm delighted to be playing for Connacht and with Dave for another two years. Hopefully that will go well, we have played together (Ireland U20’s) so I'm really happy. Happy out to be here for two years”

Pictures (C) www.inpho.ie /James Crombie