O’Halloran and Swift re-sign with Connacht
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By DECLAN ROONEY
Connacht have complete another major transfer coup by nailing down promising winger Tiernan O’Halloran to a new two-year deal.
And veteran lock Michael Swift has also been handed a one-year contract extension by the province, that will see him play with Connacht until the end of 2013.
O’Halloran, who has bagged four tries already this season, was signed on a development contract last season after graduating from the Connacht academy, but a series of eye-catching performances saw his stock rise rapidly.
As a result Connacht head coach Eric Elwood was delighted to secure the services of the Clifden native.
“Tiernan has been every present all year and he has been very consistent for us. He deserves his two-year deal: he has earned it, which was always something Tiernan and I have spoken about,” Elwood said.
“He has got this contract on merit and has gotten our attacker of the week on a few occasions. He is putting himself out there, his contribution and the consistency of his effort has been justified. He has been one of our top players all season.”
After been given his big break this season, O’Halloran was thrilled to see his hard work come to fruition with his home province.
“I am from Galway and I came in here straight out of school. Eric and everyone here have been very good to me since I got here and have given me a lot of opportunities.
“At the moment Connacht is the place for me to be because I am getting the chance to play. After injuries over the last few years I am very grateful to Eric for giving me the chance to play. It is one of the main reasons that I am happy to stay here,” said O’Halloran.
However it was not all good news on the western front as a number of key players have been ruled out of action for the coming weeks.
Top of the list is Brian Tuohy who underwent a successful surgery to his broken leg. He is expected to miss the rest of the season after sustaining fractures to both his tibia and fibula in last weekend’s defeat to Leinster.
A scan earlier this week confirmed that competitive flanker Johnny O’Connor suffered a triple fracture to his eye socket in the opening minutes of last weekend’s defeat – he played the full 80 minutes – and according to Elwood he will miss the trip to Aironi and Connacht’s remaining Heineken Cup matches at least.
Tight-head prop Ronan Loughney will also miss Saturday’s trip to Aironi because of a shoulder injury, while doubts remain about the availability of Swift and Ray Ofisa.
“We are very hopeful that we can have Swifty back this week because we all know what he can bring to the club, week in week out. Within the realms of the staff, management and players he is a legend. Amongst the crowd he is a legend also so for him to get a contract is richly deserved, he is fantastic,” said Elwood.
