Picture Credit ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
Connacht Rugby have announced that John Muldoon has signed a new contract for the 2017/18 season.
The latest deal will extend Muldoon’s professional career at the province to an impressive 15 seasons.
The Portumna man made his senior debut fo in 2004 and has since played 291 times for his home province, including 66 European games. The highest capped player, both for Connacht and in the PRO12 championship, the 34-year-old has started 16 of Connacht’s 17 games this season. This current season marks his sixth as captain.
Commenting on the news, John said:
“It’s hard to believe next season will be my 15th with Connacht. In one way the time has flown by but we have also changed immeasurably as a club in the time since I started out. I am proud of everything we have achieved, highlighted by the PRO12 win last season, but I believe there is a lot more to come from us as a club.
“I have always said that I would like to continue playing if I had the physical fitness and mental hunger to do so. I am loving my rugby and continuously learning and it was an easy decision in the end to sign on again. It remains a huge honour playing for and leading my home province and I am really excited about the future of Connacht Rugby.”
Injury woes lessen for Connacht Rugby Squad
Ahead of Sunday’s Champions Cup game away to Toulouse the Connacht Rugby medical team have provided the following update. Roscommon’s Denis Buckley (foot) sustained a foot injury in the Zebre game and will be monitored this week by the medical staff right up until game day.
Fellow prop Ronan Loughney (knee) has progressed well in his rehabilitation from surgery and will integrate into full training this week with the squad.
2nd Row Quinn Roux (groin) has recovered from his groin injury and will integrate into full training this week with the squad. Ultan Dillane (ankle) has progressed very well in his rehabilitation and will integrate into partial training this week with the squad.
Back Row’s Jake Heenan (knee) and Nepia Fox Matamua (chest) have recovered from their recent injuries and will integrate into full training this week with the squad. As will Eoghan Masterson (knee), following his recovery from a serious knee injury.
Kiltoom’s Jack Carty (knee) will integrate into training this week with the squad following his injury sustained in the PRO12 game away to Ospreys this month.
Both Shane O’Leary (concussion) and Peter Robb (concussion) have successfully completed the return-to-play protocols and will integrate into full training this week.
Meanwhile there was bad news for Josh Rowland (knee) who sustained a knee injury playing for the Connacht Eagles at the weekend (match report here) He will be out of action for up to two months.