Advertisement
Connacht have recruited well ahead of the 2014/15 campaign. Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Connacht complete 2014/15 recruitment with signing of Niyi Adeolokun

The Trinity wing has joined the western province on a one-year deal.

CONNACHT HAVE COMPLETED their recruitment for the 2014/15 season with the addition of Trinity wing Niyi Adeolokun.

The 23-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the province and the IRFU, having recently completed his final exams at the Dublin university. Adeolokun has impressed for Trinity in the Ulster Bank League and with their sevens team in recent seasons.

A graduate of the De La Salle secondary school in Churchtown, the Dubliner has been playing with Dublin University FC since 2009. In that time, he helped the club to All-Ireland Sevens Championships in 2011 and 2012.

Adeolokun played for the Connacht Eagles against touring Russian side Enisei STM in April and is now preparing for fitness testing alongside the rest of the senior squad later this week.

Head coach Pat Lam is delighted to welcome the wing into the professional set-up in Galway:

“He is clearly a brilliant broken-field runner with very good pace but we were also very impressed with what he offers in defence. With his raw talent and athleticism, we’re looking forward to seeing how he performs in a professional set-up for the first time.

Pat Lam Lam has added the likes of Quinn Roux, Bundee Aki, Shane O'Leary, John Cooney and Tom McCartney to his squad. Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

“When meeting with Niyi, I was struck by his maturity and also his unwavering determination to succeed after having overcome many challenges along the way. He is a good young man with excellent values and I know he will fit in very well to our team environment.”

Connacht Rugby Squad for 2014/15 season:

Props:
Ronan Loughney, Denis Buckley, Rodney Ah You, Nathan White, JP Cooney, Finlay Bealham

Hookers:
Jason Harris-Wright, Dave Heffernan, Sean Henry, Tom McCartney

Second Rows:
Mick Kearney, Aly Muldowney, Michael Swift, Danny Qualter, Quinn Roux

Back Rowers:
Andrew Browne, Mata Fifita, Jake Heenan, Willie Faloon, Eoin McKeon, John Muldoon, George Naoupu

Scrum-halves:
Kieran Marmion, Ian PorterJohn Cooney

Out-halves:
Miah Nikora, Craig Ronaldson, Jack Carty

Centres:
Robbie Henshaw, Dave McSharry, Conor FinnBundee AkiShane O’Leary

Wingers:
Fionn Carr, Matt Healy, Tiernan O’Halloran, Danie Poolman, Niyi Adeolokun

Fullbacks:
Mils MuliainaDarragh LeaderShane Layden

* Players promoted from academy in italics.

* New signings in italics and bold.

All Blacks centre Smith ruled out of third Test against England

Hanrahan and McGrath start as Emerging Ireland ring the changes

Close
16 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Richard Crompton
    Favourite Richard Crompton
    Report
    Jun 16th 2014, 12:46 PM

    I am a massive Leinster fan but have to admit i am seriously excited about what Pat Lam and Connacht have been doing since end last season- they could be serious contenders to compete for that last qualifying spot and this is only good for Irish Rugby. Wish them well.

    171
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute James
    Favourite James
    Report
    Jun 16th 2014, 12:44 PM

    They seem to have built up a nice squad for themselves. They got their business done nice and early too which is always a good sign. I’d love to see them come up to the same level of the other provinces, it can only mean good things for the national team!

    103
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave Murray
    Favourite Dave Murray
    Report
    Jun 16th 2014, 12:57 PM

    Hopefully Connacht can push on next season and with the quality signings I think they will. They will Improve up the league and have a good crack at the challenge cup.

    73
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Peter Nagle
    Favourite Peter Nagle
    Report
    Jun 16th 2014, 12:59 PM

    Is Eoghan Masterson going to be at Connacht next season? He was impressive this year. Also, U20s player Sean O’Brien could be involved for the senior team.

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Jun 16th 2014, 1:34 PM

    Hi Peter,

    Masterson will still be at Connacht, yes. He’s moving into his second year in the academy, so hopefully he can get more game time next season. Agree on O’Brien, he looked excellent for Ireland U20s in the Six Nations.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tigerisinthezoo
    Favourite Tigerisinthezoo
    Report
    Jun 16th 2014, 2:19 PM

    The 2nd row and outhalf depth would be a worry. Clarke is a huge loss and Roux wouldnt be a lineout performer. Who will have that responsibility now, M Kearney?
    Also hope Carty can step up and be reliable for place kicks. Good signings made but good players lost too.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cormac Gilbert O'Gara
    Favourite Cormac Gilbert O'Gara
    Report
    Jun 16th 2014, 2:27 PM

    Fair play Niyi! A Templeogue Synge Streer Gfc player of the past.. im sure he’ll do very well with connaught

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DaVe O'm
    Favourite DaVe O'm
    Report
    Jun 16th 2014, 2:17 PM

    Looks like a good squad. I have to wonder who their silent benefactor is as they don’t get great crowds (or didn’t at the games I’ve been to) and their central funding is well below Leinster/Munster.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Hickey
    Favourite David Hickey
    Report
    Jun 16th 2014, 2:29 PM

    Although they don’t get the crowds of others. They have went from 1,200 – 1,500 average from 2006 – 2011 . . . up to 3,800 – 4,600 average over the past year or two. With big names that rises to 6,000 – 7,000 and on occasion 9,000 with big BIG ones.

    If success comes, I imagine It will go like Leinster and Ulster did in their transformation ten years ago of similar numbers.

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kieran Flub Fanning
    Favourite Kieran Flub Fanning
    Report
    Jun 16th 2014, 1:31 PM

    Ok excuse the horrific spelling but why is mils muliaina not on the list?

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute vv7k7Z3c
    Favourite vv7k7Z3c
    Report
    Jun 16th 2014, 1:33 PM

    Hi Kieran, your spelling is spot on! Muliaina is on the list under ‘Fullbacks’.

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kieran Flub Fanning
    Favourite Kieran Flub Fanning
    Report
    Jun 16th 2014, 1:41 PM

    Thanks bud sorry I didn’t see him there

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Fitz
    Favourite Johnny Fitz
    Report
    Jun 16th 2014, 4:29 PM

    Dan Parks was well past his best but without him they are looking underpowered at 10. Jack Carty has made a promising start but that is a lot of pressure to lump on a kid. With the calibre of what they have put together behind the scrum it would be a pity if the lack of a decent 10 meant it didn’t fire…. Did Shane O’Leary play outhalf also, he may have better chance of getting a game there….?

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Mc
    Favourite John Mc
    Report
    Jun 16th 2014, 9:07 PM

    To me Connacht don’t look good. Too many names that are hard to pronounce!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rian McKeagney
    Favourite Rian McKeagney
    Report
    Jun 16th 2014, 1:07 PM

    Is Jack Dineen not part of the hookers? Or is he still in the academy?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rian McKeagney
    Favourite Rian McKeagney
    Report
    Jun 16th 2014, 1:04 PM

    Should Jack Dineen not be part of the hookers? Or is he still in the academy?

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.