Connacht building for next season

Connacht rugby have been handed a boost both on and off the field with the signing of three players and the extension of the main sponsorship by Bank of Ireland for another three years.

Leinster backs Fionn Carr and Ian Keatley will both be moving West and scrumhalf Frank Murphy will be returning to Ireland from Leicester Tigers in the forthcoming season.

22-year-old Carr, who can play at centre, wing or full back and 21-year-old outhalf, Keatley, are two highly rated young players who Connacht CEO Gerry Kelly sees as having great potential who are sure to benefit Connacht in the coming season.

'We're delighted to announce that we've signed two exciting prospects for the coming season,' he said. 'Fionn and Ian have both shown great ability at age group levels for Ireland and it is our hope we will develop them into future Irish internationals.'

Kelly was equally pleased with the signing of 26-year-old Frank Murphy from Leicester Tigers. Murphy brings with him a wealth of experience having previously played with Munster and Kelly is anticipating an increased level of competition for first team appearances come the beginning of the 2008/09 season.

'Frank Murphy will provide an experienced link between our forward pack and these young backs. With Frank, Conor O'Loughlin and Kieran Campbell we should have great competition for the scrum half berth and the ability to vary our game to all conditions and opposition.'

Meanwhile Bank of Ireland's association with Connacht Rugby will continue to be one of the longest running sports sponsorships in the country, going back to the outset of the professional era in the mid 1990's.

Kelly said it was a major boost to the province. 'We've enjoyed a very strong relationship with Bank of Ireland and we're very grateful for the support they've shown us,' he said.