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Healy has been in great form out wide for Connacht. ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
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Connacht wing Matt Healy signs new two-year deal

The former Ireland U20 international’s excellent form for the province has been rewarded.

MATT HEALY HAS signed a new two-year contract with Connacht, keeping him at the province until the summer of 2016.

The 24-year-old has been in superb form so far this season, with his pace and power leading to tries against Zebre and the Cardiff Blues in the RaboDirect Pro12. Connacht have rewarded the winger for his strong start to the season with this new deal.

Healy signed for Connacht in 2012, making his debut against his home province of Leinster in a 17-0 loss at the RDS. Appearances against Ulster and Treviso followed, but it is in this campaign that Healy has begun to show the ability that made him a lethal try-scorer at AIL level for Lansdowne.

The former Gonzaga College schoolboy did play a key role for the Connacht Eagles last season, winning the province’s ‘A’ Player of the Year for his performances.

Healy was capped nine times for the Ireland U20 side in 2009, with the majority of those appearances coming at scrum-half. However, it is on the wing where Healy’s exciting running game has been best utilised since.

The Connacht man is understandably pleased to have tied down his immediate future to the province.

I’m delighted to have signed with Connacht for another two years.  Obviously I got the chance to come down here the summer before last and that was huge for me. So for Connacht to extend the opportunity really fills me with confidence.

“I’m enjoying my rugby and really enjoying working with Pat [Lam] and the coaching staff here. With the squad that we have now and all the good work being done behind the scenes, Connacht is an exciting place to be. I’m certainly very happy to be a part of it.”

For his part, Connacht coach Lam is also happy to have secured Healy’s services for two more seasons.

“When I first worked with Matt in pre-season, I was impressed by what he could do. His attitude and willingness to learn and be better is exactly what we look for in a Connacht player. He has shown in his performances to date what he can do with his skill set and he has some special talents.

He has so much potential and I believe that with his attitude, he can reach his goals if he continues to put the work in. I’m delighted that he wants to be part of the growth and vision of Connacht Rugby.”

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