5 years ago 
Connacht Rugby has confirmed that seven new players have been offered contracts with the NUIG Connacht Academy under Nigel Carolan from the beginning of 2015/16 season.
Eoghan Masterson, Ultan Dillane and Caolin Blade all graduated to the senior squad this season after earning valuable game time in the Guinness PRO12 and European Challenge Cup last year.
Of the seven new Academy recruits, Conan O’Donnell, Stephen McVeigh and Cian Romaine played pivotal roles with this year’s Ireland U20s in both the IRB 6 Nations and World Rugby Championship.
The Galwegians RFC trio of Cormac Brennan, Conor Kyne and Conor Lowndes have also been recruited while hooker Pat O’Toole who played for the Connacht Eagles last season joins from Galway club Corinthians.
New Recruits:
- Cormac Brennan Back Three Galwegians RFC
- Conor Kyne Loose Head Prop Galwegians RFC
- Conor Lowndes Scrum Half Galwegians RFC
- Stephen McVeigh Back Row Buccaneers RFC
- Conan O’Donnell Tight Head Prop Sligo RFC
- Pat O’Toole Hooker Corinthians RFC
- Cian Romaine Lock Buccaneers RFC
Speaking about the upcoming season and new crop of players, Academy Manager Nigel Carolan said:
“It’s great to have such a talented group of players coming into the Academy for the coming season. They were all members of the Sub-Academy system last year so they know what we’re about and the sacrifices that are required in pursuit of their goals of becoming professional rugby players.
“The aim of the Connacht Academy is to produce future winning professional rugby players for Connacht who will go on to play for Ireland. We are delighted that Robbie (Henshaw) and Kieran (Marmion) are achieving success at national level, but it’s also great for Eoghan (Masterson), Ultan (Dillane) and Caolin (Blade) to have their hard work rewarded with promotion to the Connacht Pro Team this year. We want to see more and more Academy graduates playing for Connacht and Ireland.
Full list of NUIG Connacht Academy 2015/16
YEAR 3
- James Connolly Back Row
- Jamie Dever Tight-Head Prop
- Saba Meunargia Tight-Head Prop
- Rory Moloney Back Row
- Sean O’Brien Back Row/Lock
- Rory Parata Centre
- Jacob Walshe Loose-Head Prop
YEAR 2
- Shane Delahunt Hooker
- Jack Dinneen Hooker
- Ciaran Gaffney Back Three
- Marc Kelly Back Row
- Conor McKeon Outhalf
- Peter Robb Centre
YEAR 1
- Cormac Brennan Back Three
- Conor Kyne Loose Head Prop
- Conor Lowndes Scrum Half
- Stephen McVeigh Back Row
- Conan O’Donnell Tight Head Prop
- Pat O’Toole Hooker
- Cian Romaine Lock
