CONNACHT CAPTAIN JOHN Muldoon has signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him with the province until the summer of 2017 at least.
The 33-year-old back row has been with his home province for his entire professional playing career, having made his senior debut in 2004.
Muldoon led Connacht to victory in Thomond Park earlier this season. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Muldoon will move into his 14th season with Connacht in 2016/17, with head coach Pat Lam expressing his delight at confirmation of the new deal.
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The Portumna man has played 260 times for Connacht, a record for both the province and the Pro12 league. His Ireland career involved three caps in total, with his debut coming on the 2009 tour to North America.
Muldoon remains in good form and has continued to grow as a player in recent years as he has embraced a new role within Lam’s expansive attacking philosophy.
It was very easy for me to sign on with Connacht for another year,” said Muldoon. “I love this place and I couldn’t imagine playing anywhere else now. I’m definitely the old man in the squad now that Swifty [Michael Swift] is gone, but I don’t feel it.
“Playing and training with these younger lads just drives me on even further and I’m really enjoying what we’re doing as a squad.
“Connacht has changed immeasurably since I started out, but every year we have been building and I’ve just loved being a part of it. There have been plenty of highs and lows but those experiences, particularly the lows, just remind me of how far we have come.”
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
Meanwhile, Lam underlined exactly why the back row remains such a vital cog for Connacht.
“Not only is John one of the most consistent players in terms of his performances, he is a hugely respected individual as our captain,” said Lam. “After so many years, he continues to demand high standards of himself and of everyone around him.
With the amount of youth we have coming through, you cannot underestimate the importance of his experience and his character when it comes to helping others understand who and what Connacht stands for.
“He epitomises the ‘Connacht man’ and is a great example to our younger players about what you can achieve with hard work. Personally I am very happy to be working with John again next season.”
Connacht's record-breaking captain Muldoon signs new contract
CONNACHT CAPTAIN JOHN Muldoon has signed a one-year contract extension, keeping him with the province until the summer of 2017 at least.
The 33-year-old back row has been with his home province for his entire professional playing career, having made his senior debut in 2004.
Muldoon will move into his 14th season with Connacht in 2016/17, with head coach Pat Lam expressing his delight at confirmation of the new deal.
The Portumna man has played 260 times for Connacht, a record for both the province and the Pro12 league. His Ireland career involved three caps in total, with his debut coming on the 2009 tour to North America.
Muldoon remains in good form and has continued to grow as a player in recent years as he has embraced a new role within Lam’s expansive attacking philosophy.
“Playing and training with these younger lads just drives me on even further and I’m really enjoying what we’re doing as a squad.
“Connacht has changed immeasurably since I started out, but every year we have been building and I’ve just loved being a part of it. There have been plenty of highs and lows but those experiences, particularly the lows, just remind me of how far we have come.”
Meanwhile, Lam underlined exactly why the back row remains such a vital cog for Connacht.
“Not only is John one of the most consistent players in terms of his performances, he is a hugely respected individual as our captain,” said Lam. “After so many years, he continues to demand high standards of himself and of everyone around him.
“He epitomises the ‘Connacht man’ and is a great example to our younger players about what you can achieve with hard work. Personally I am very happy to be working with John again next season.”
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