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Gilsenan in Connacht colours late last season. James Crombie/INPHO
Exiles

Promising ex-Leinster back row Gilsenan signs new contract with London Irish

The 22-year-old left Leinster last summer to join the Premiership club.

LONDON IRISH HAVE confirmed back row Conor Gilsenan has signed a new two-year contract with the club.

The promising 22-year-old joined the Premiership outfit last summer from home province Leinster, having spent a short stint late last season on loan at Connacht.

Gilsenan has gone on to start nine games for the Exiles, including four in the top tier of English rugby. The former Ireland U18, U19 and U20 flanker has also featured in the European Challenge Cup and LV= Cup.

Having originally signed for London Irish on a one-year deal, Gilsenan has now extended his contract until the summer of 2017.

“I am delighted to have signed a contract extension,” Gilsenan told the club’s official website. “I have really enjoyed my time at London Irish and the club is clearly heading in the right direction.

The club welcomed me in and have been my family away from home for the last year.  This is the sort of environment every player wants to be in and I am really looking forward to the next couple of years.”

London Irish are having a difficult season in the Premiership and currently sit 11th, but the club is highly ambitious. Tom Coventry, currently assistant coach to the Chiefs in Super Rugby, is set to take over from next season onwards.

Irishmen Tomás O’Leary, Eamonn Sheridan, Eoin Griffin and Tom Court have been playing alongside Gilsenan at the Madejski Stadium during the current campaign.

Conor Gilsenan is tackled by Ryan Murphy Gilsenan in action for UCD back in 2013. Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

Head coach Glenn Delaney welcomed Gilsenan’s new contract, underlining the ex-Clongowes Wood College student’s potential.

“We are delighted that Conor has extended his contract with us,” said Delaney. “He joined in the summer and has adapted to life in the Premiership very quickly.He is constantly improving and showing a high level of work rate and ability.”

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