Connacht lock Mike McCarthy has announced his intention to leave Connacht at the end of the current season to join Leinster.
McCarthy's current contract expires in June next year and Connacht CEO Tom Sears revealed his departure would be a loss to the Irish province.
"We are bitterly disappointed to lose Mike McCarthy, who has been a popular senior member of our squad," he said.
"While disappointed, particularly given the continued success of Connacht in recent years, we respect the individual player's decision and wish Mike every success in his future playing career."
Connacht have seen significant success in recent years both on and off the field.
With a growing fan-base and record match attendances, they have enjoyed notable victories in the last 12-months over Heineken Cup heavy hitters Biarritz and Harlequins, and over both Leinster and Ulster in the PRO12.
"We have been aware of Leinster's interest in Mike for some time," explained Sears.
"It is disappointing they have persistently targeted Connacht players in recent years, particularly when often not in the best interest of Irish rugby."
Connacht recently strengthened its playing squad with the arrival of experienced professionals like Dan Parks and Nathan White, who together with existing senior players have assisted the development of a crop of talented indigenous young players.
Comments
connaughtabu says...
I believe spike19 sums the situation up completely.
The IRFU should have policies in place to ensure that all 4 provinces get a fair crack of the whip. What chance does Connacht have with Munster and in particular Leinster recruiting its players at will?
Heading into the future, Connacht:
1. has no coach
2. an unstable squad of players
3. and an inferior ground (for those who haven't been there, the Sportsground is a dog track with a pitch in the middle)
Please!
Posted 07:46 13th December 2012
Cabhan says...
Supposedly the financial terms were the same with both offers but it was the players decision to move to increase the prospects of winning some silverware. No doubt Connacht will feel hard done by and the timing of the announcement is pretty shocking after such a monumental win last weekend and with a huge game coming up. He is coming towards the twilight of his career and you couldn't begrudge him the chance to win a few medals though. It was his decision to quit so not entirely fair to point the finger at Leinster. Provided a few players go the other way it mightn't work out too bad for all concerned. He is an awesome player though and will leave a mighty big hole to fill in their pack.
Posted 23:10 12th December 2012
Andrewinkorea says...
Some of the comments here are hilarious! Mike McCarthy was not "stolen". He was offered a contract by Connacht but wanted to play for the European champions, a team that challenges for 2 trophies every season. Why can't he decide where HE wants to play? Let's not forget Hagan and Carr are Leinster boys. Leinster have sent a lot of good talent to the West in recent years and we all know why they're playing Heineken Cup rugby, don't we?
Posted 22:53 12th December 2012
Louth_Boy93 says...
I'm a Leinster fan and i don't like this, how are connacht going to develop if their best players are constantly being snapped up by the bigger boys just to warm the bench
Posted 20:28 12th December 2012
papachinzo says...
In fairness to Leinster, McCarthy is not from Connacht... Half of their team is made up of ex-Leinster players as well !
Plus, Carr and Hagan will be heading over there next season along with a few others.
Posted 17:14 12th December 2012
Theshaw says...
In fareness McCarthy will eat huge amount of game time with Him and Leo first choice. Carr and Hagan haven't been up to scratch and Cronan can't throw a ball! Take the 3 of them back along with Dominic Ryan and we will have Mccarthy. Thanks Connacht :)
Posted 16:29 12th December 2012
Gleek says...
Interesting point about Carr and Hagan though. They've not really got close to the first 15 while now Furlong and Conway are leading the charge from the academy. Neither player looks to have much futures there (esp hagan who will be 4th choice soon) so you'd think a move is imminent.
Will they be able to return to Connacht (or Munster!) or will they have to move abroad?
Posted 14:21 12th December 2012
GCP_jones says...
Connacht should be talkin to Ian Nagle,something like 5th choice at Munster. what glimpses i have seen of him would suggest that he should be playing week-in-week-out.
Posted 14:20 12th December 2012
BiggyFint says...
Would Ryan or Tuohy have been let go to Leinster? This is a disgrace. Once again the progression of the weakest province is seriously damaged to marginally improve the strongest one. I'm sick of the IRFU and there policies. As a Connacht supporter this is too much. No wonder Elwood has thrown in the towel and who can blame him.
Posted 14:08 12th December 2012
ciaran1792 says...
Ah come on that's not fair. I am a Leinster fan and Leinster shouldn't be stealing Connacht's players.
Posted 13:54 12th December 2012
curates_egg says...
Tough blow for Connacht but reflects the realitiy of the professional game. It would not be good for anyone to block players from realising their ambitions by moving to higher-achieving clubs. Irish fans should be happy the players are not leaving to England, like they were a few years ago.
McCarthy - like Fionn Carr and Cronin - is not a Connacht developed player, so it is not credible to claim there is player poaching going on. On the flip side, Connacht rugby has done very nicely over the past decade by getting first refusals on Leinster academy players, who do not get offered contracts.
You can't have it every way.
Posted 13:49 12th December 2012
spike19 says...
Why do Leinster constantly undermine Irish Rugby by draining all the best players from the weakest province. Cronin, Carr, Hagan and now McCarthy have made the switch. Carr and Hagan have gone from starting every week in the Rabo and Europe to playing for the Leinster A in the BI Cup! Cronin is stuck on the bench behind Strauss one wonders where McCarthy's career will be this time next year.
For Ireland to be truly strong all the provinces need to be strong and competitive not just Leinster and Munster. Ulster look to have stepped out of the shadow of their provincial brothers and are unbeaten so far this year. If Connacht are to make progress they need to retain their top players and IRFU should apply more financial incentive for this to happen.
Posted 12:17 12th December 2012
leinster_goy says...
good news, and arguably should have happened in the summer. although at 31, he's hardly a long-term solution for either Leinster or ireland
harsh on connacht, but ultimately our hand was forced by the IRFUSSR's refusal to let us keep Hines and also the inadequacy of Devvers (good player certainly, but nowhere near top standard)
Posted 11:55 12th December 2012