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Cullen "delighted" as Kearney & McFadden agree short-term Leinster deals

Rob Kearney and Fergus McFadden have agreed short-term deals to remain with Leinster until the en...



Rob Kearney and Fergus McFadden have agreed short-term deals to remain with Leinster until the end of the 2019-20 season.

The province have also announced a total 28 new senior contracts for next season, including five players who have been promoted from the Leinster Academy.

Kearney and McFadden could remain until the 17th of October if the province reach the final of the Heineken Champions Cup, the rescheduled date that was confirmed this morning.

"We are delighted that Fergus McFadden and Rob Kearney have agreed to stay on for the completion of the 2019/20 season," head coach Leo Cullen said.

"Both players have given so much to the team over the course of their careers as “one club” men and hopefully, they can both contribute strongly to the team for the games that we still hope to play out."

McFadden has already announced his plans to retire at the end of this season, although Kearney’s future remains unclear.

Among the list of 28 is 14 Irish internationals with 301 caps between them, including Devin Toner, Dan Leavy, Josh van der Flier, Sean Cronin, and Andrew Porter while 23 of the 28 players have come through the Academy system.

Overseas players James Lowe and Scott Fardy are also confirmed to stay.

26 May 2018; Scott Fardy, left, and James Lowe have been confirmed for next seaon's Leinster squad Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Ryan Baird, Harry Byrne, Jack Dunne, Tommy O’Brien and Dan Sheehan are the quintet who have been handed their first senior contracts with the Blues.

"We are delighted to be able to confirm the list of 28 contracts today and in particular with so many of them coming through the clubs and the schools of Leinster," added Cullen.

"A huge amount of work goes in to developing players at all levels of the game so it’s incredibly pleasing for us to have five players promoted directly from our Academy.

"It is always a hugely special day for them, their families and their clubs and schools so I would like to congratulate Ryan, Harry, Jack, Tommy and Dan."

Meanwhile, centre Joe Tomane will be leaving the PRO14 champions along with Bryan Byrne, Barry Daly, Gavin Mullin.

Roman Salanoa is moving to Munster while Connacht have signed Oisin Dowling and Jack Aungier.

"This has also been a challenging time for many players who are leaving clubs as there has been so much uncertainty but we would like to wish all the players leaving Leinster the very best in what is next in their respective careers," said Cullen.

"To Bryan, Barry and Joe from the Senior squad and to Jack, Gavin, Roman and Oisín from the Academy we would like to thank you all for your contribution and effort that you have given the club.

"Our focus now is making sure our training environment is as good and safe as it can be as we look to prepare for the completion of our Guinness PRO14 campaign and of course our eagerly-awaited showdown against Saracens in the Quarter-Final of the Heineken Champions Cup."

Leinster Rugby – New Senior Contracts:

1. Vakh Abdaladze, 11 Leinster Caps (LC), 1 Leinster Tries (T)*
2. Ryan Baird, 7 LC, 3 T
3. Michael Bent, 4 Ireland Caps (IC), 135 LC, 4 T
4. Adam Byrne, 1 IC, 57 LC, 20 T
5. Ed Byrne, 52 LC, 7 T
6. Harry Byrne, 9 LC, 2 T
7. Ross Byrne, 6 IC, 84 LC, 5 T
8. Will Connors, 15 LC, 2 T
9. Seán Cronin, 72 IC, 181 LC, 41 T
10. Peter Dooley, 76 LC, 2 T
11. Caelan Doris, 2 IC, 29 LC, 4 T
12. Jack Dunne, 7 LC, 0 T
13. Scott Fardy, 39 Australia Caps (AC), 58 LC, 10 T
14. Jordan Larmour, 24 IC, 46 LC, 12 T
15. Dan Leavy, 11 IC, 63 LC, 14 T
16. James Lowe, 43 LC, 28 T
17. Ross Molony, 95 LC, 3 T
18. Josh Murphy, 32 LC, 2 T
19. Tommy O’Brien, 3 LC, 1 T
20. Rory O’Loughlin, 1 IC, 67 LC, 21 T
21. Rowan Osborne, 4 LC, 1 T
22. Andrew Porter, 26 IC, 62 LC, 9 T
23. Rhys Ruddock, 26 IC, 172 LC, 10 T
24. James Ryan, 26 IC, 37 LC, 2 T**
25. Dan Sheehan, 0 LC, 0 T
26. Devin Toner, 70 IC, 244 LC, 4 T
27. James Tracy, 6 IC, 108 LC, 8 T
28. Josh van der Flier, 26 IC, 80 LC, 9 T

Academy Players Promoted to Senior Squad:

1.       Ryan Baird
2.       Harry Byrne
3.       Jack Dunne
4.       Tommy O’Brien
5.       Dan Sheehan

Leinster Rugby – Departees:

1.       Jack Aungier, 5 LC, 0 T
2.       Bryan Byrne, 47 LC, 12 T
3.       Barry Daly, 36 LC, 19 T
4.       Oisín Dowling, 6 LC, 0 T
5.       Gavin Mullin, 2 LC, 0 T
6.       Roman Salanoa, 3 LC, 0 T
7.       Joe Tomane, 17 AC, 21 LC, 3 T

*Statistics correct as of 24th June 2020
**Already announced as centrally contracted by the IRFU

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Fergus McFadden Guinness Pro14 Heineken Champions Cup James Lowe Joe Tomane Leinster Rugby Leo Cullen Rob Kearney Scott Fardy