Kieran Marmion extends contract until 2015



Connacht Rugby are delighted to announce the extended contract of Kieran Marmion. The province have further bolstered and strengthened their scrum-half options with the news that Marmion has committed to the club until 2015. 20 year old Marmion who is currently a member of the Connacht Academy know signs a full two year contract with the club.

Marmion earned his first cap for Connacht this season when he started against Cardiff Blues in the opening round of the RaboDirect PRO12 league.

The scrum-half, who was born in Wales but whose father and grandfather both hail from Loughrea, Co. Galway, has been capped at U-18, U-19 and U-20 level by Ireland.

He was an instrumental figure in Ireland’s stunning 23-19 win over South Africa in the first pool game of the Junior World Cup last summer. Kieran played a pivotal role for Ireland at the Championship; starting four of their five games en route to a highest ever finish of fifth.

The youngster has clearly brought his form with him to the Connacht Rugby camp and his fantastic running game and keen eye for the gap has impressed audiences and critics alike.

Marmion has gained all of his ten Connacht caps this season, being the only squad member to start in every game since the opening fixture back in September.

Kieran says “it was a great experience to go over to South Africa and play against the best U20 players in the world. It gave me a lot of confidence to be chosen for the U20 side and then to start for Connacht this season was fantastic. I’m thrilled to have extended my contract with the province. I feel at home here and I want to continue contributing to the squad and the great work that is being done here every week.”

Commenting on the latest contract extension, CEO, Tom Sears, said: “This is a fantastic boost for the club. This season we have seen the immense talent coming up through the ranks which is testament to the success of our Academy. Kieran is a key addition to the squad and we’re delighted that he will continue to contribute to the future success of Connacht Rugby.”

Only a year huh? They'll probably want to keep him. To be honesty I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up in another french team like Grenoble. Would like to see him come here. Hopefully Fogs Snr. can have a chat with him.

connachtexile wrote:

He was with the irish u20s this year but subbed for another munster acadamy hooker, scannell, who captained the team. Hes a good player, plays with garryowen, but currently 5th choice at munster. hes only 20 so time is on his side though. from a connacht point of view hes from limerick which would make it easier to turn his head(cork lads dont like travelling too much).

Henry(sligo man) is currently 3rd choice but imo only because of seniority. Scannell is quality and will overtake him next season imo. if connacht get rid of reynecke he could be a good choice with rael lined up to replace flav the following season. if it was up to me though i would go for denis fogarty. hes currently the top rated hooker in the pro d2(french 2nd div) with aurillac. seemingly they are very impressed with him over there.
he was mentioned here(and rejected) last season and i agreed but regular games seems to have suited him and he is flying it atm.

Good to know and if you consider the last Hooker we got out of Munster was Sean Cronin I'd be happy with something similar. As for Fogs thought he was good but his throwing was always erratic. Think with the money/lifestyle he'll be on in France it will be hard to get him back for another few seasons until he wants to retire anyway.

Know about Sean Henry but he hasn't shown any inclination to move west so wouldn't be someone I'd be pushed about Rael allegedly has so someone for us to keep our eyes on.

Afaik Fogs signed a one year contract with Aurillac who operate on the lowest budget in pro d2.
Imo connacht will need to sign 2 hookers this summer. Flav is at end of career and reynecke is taking up an niq spot when there are irish qualified hookers available who are as good and potentially better. That Niq could be put to good use elsewhere in the team.(i could say similar about fetu but such is his popularity here that id be running the gauntlet )

He was with the irish u20s this year but subbed for another munster acadamy hooker, scannell, who captained the team. Hes a good player, plays with garryowen, but currently 5th choice at munster. hes only 20 so time is on his side though. from a connacht point of view hes from limerick which would make it easier to turn his head(cork lads dont like travelling too much).

Henry(sligo man) is currently 3rd choice but imo only because of seniority. Scannell is quality and will overtake him next season imo. if connacht get rid of reynecke he could be a good choice with rael lined up to replace flav the following season. if it was up to me though i would go for denis fogarty. hes currently the top rated hooker in the pro d2(french 2nd div) with aurillac. seemingly they are very impressed with him over there.
he was mentioned here(and rejected) last season and i agreed but regular games seems to have suited him and he is flying it atm.

Good to know and if you consider the last Hooker we got out of Munster was Sean Cronin I'd be happy with something similar. As for Fogs thought he was good but his throwing was always erratic. Think with the money/lifestyle he'll be on in France it will be hard to get him back for another few seasons until he wants to retire anyway.

Know about Sean Henry but he hasn't shown any inclination to move west so wouldn't be someone I'd be pushed about Rael allegedly has so someone for us to keep our eyes on.

rossie wrote: Henry(sligo man) is currently 3rd choice but imo only because of seniority.

scored a try for munster A vs leinster A. 10mins left. munster winning 18-9. played in lenster

connachtexile wrote: Anyone here know much about a Munster Hooker called James Rael? Apparently Connacht were looking at him last season and he's someone we're 'monitoring'. He's an academy prospect for Munster at the mo but with the talent ahead and Mike Sherry been so young there could be a chance of him coming here sooner rather than later.

He was with the irish u20s this year but subbed for another munster acadamy hooker, scannell, who captained the team. Hes a good player, plays with garryowen, but currently 5th choice at munster. hes only 20 so time is on his side though. from a connacht point of view hes from limerick which would make it easier to turn his head(cork lads dont like travelling too much).

Henry(sligo man) is currently 3rd choice but imo only because of seniority. Scannell is quality and will overtake him next season imo. if connacht get rid of reynecke he could be a good choice with rael lined up to replace flav the following season. if it was up to me though i would go for denis fogarty. hes currently the top rated hooker in the pro d2(french 2nd div) with aurillac. seemingly they are very impressed with him over there.
he was mentioned here(and rejected) last season and i agreed but regular games seems to have suited him and he is flying it atm.

Anyone here know much about a Munster Hooker called James Rael? Apparently Connacht were looking at him last season and he's someone we're 'monitoring'. He's an academy prospect for Munster at the mo but with the talent ahead and Mike Sherry been so young there could be a chance of him coming here sooner rather than later.

connachtexile wrote: Fantastic news. The board seem to have made a massive effort to retain senior players like McCarthy last year and Wilks this year which is important for us as we've all seen what happens when a few senior players leave at once. That said if they didn't want to stay then no amount of money could have persuaded them. Hopefully we can keep going forward.

It is good news alright, the most pleasing aspect is that the lads themselves want to stay and the message that it sends out to other squad members and any future targets that Connacht is now a team going somewhere and worth staying at..

Fantastic news. The board seem to have made a massive effort to retain senior players like McCarthy last year and Wilks this year which is important for us as we've all seen what happens when a few senior players leave at once. That said if they didn't want to stay then no amount of money could have persuaded them. Hopefully we can keep going forward.

phatguerilla wrote:

Porterbelly wrote: Jamie Hagan to replace Rodney?

Would it not make sense for everyone really if Hagan went to Munster at the end of the season? Not a huge fan of players getting pushed around the provinces but seems the smartest choice for all concerned at the minute.

He wanted to come back to us this season but Leinster wanted him to see out his 2 year contract. I'm told the deal nearly happened. He's not happy there and if the option was open to return I'm sure he'd be up for it. He'd probably have to take a pay cut though

Porterbelly wrote: Jamie Hagan to replace Rodney?

Why would he come back here when staying in Leinster would get him more gametime (at least during the international window with Ross and Bent seemingly 1st and 2nd choice for Ireland)?

The Munster suggestion seems more sensible.

Porterbelly wrote: Jamie Hagan to replace Rodney?

Would it not make sense for everyone really if Hagan went to Munster at the end of the season? Not a huge fan of players getting pushed around the provinces but seems the smartest choice for all concerned at the minute.

I could be way off the mark but having the lads commit to 2 years with what's happening with the new coach search, there may already be some idea within the club of who is coming in to replace Eric. Pure wild speculation on my part of course

Jamie Hagan to replace Rodney?

This is great news, really happy to hear it. How long does Rodney have left on his contract does anyone know?

Devils own wrote: Am i the only one who thinks its a bit odd to be signing guys on for two years when a new manager/coach is on the way. Id say let the new coach decide if he considers them worth a new contract nothing against the guys

It's not that unusual a scenario really, coaches frequently come in to take over squads that are settled / contracted for a couple of years. Anyway the lads would have been out of contract at the end of the season, Connacht could not risk missing out if the coach and his team are not in place early enough to be involved.