Healy staying with Connacht

Connacht winger Matt Healy has signed a new two-year contract extension with the province, keeping him at the Galway Sportsground until at least the summer of 2016.

Healy is currently in his second season at Connacht, the 23-year-old made his debut for the province against Leinster in last season’s Christmas inter-pro at the RDS.

Having joined from Lansdowne RFC in Dublin, the former Gonzaga College school boy played a huge role with the Connacht Eagles in his first year in Galway and was awarded “A” player of the year at an awards ceremony back in May.

Healy has played in all but two games for Pat Lam this season, the most recent coming in last weekend’s 33-6 Heineken Cup victory over Zebre.

He also sits top of the try-scoring leader board with tries against Zebre and Cardiff Blues in the opening rounds of the Pro 12.

He has been capped nine times for the Ireland U-20s playing in the 2009 Six Nations and the U-20 World Championships.

Commenting yesterday after training in Galway, Healy said: “I’m delighted to sign the deal, I got an opportunity to come down here the summer before last and that was huge for me and for them to extend that opportunity, fills me with great confidence so I’m delighted.”

Coach Pat Lam said: “I based everyone’s opportunity on what they did at pre-season training and I was impressed by Matt’s attitude and willingness to learn and he has shown by his performances so far on

what he can do and I believe there is more he can do, he has special gifts.”

Healy will be fighting for selection this week as Connacht look to take confidence from the last two weeks of Heineken Cup action, into this weekend’s Pro 12 clash at Leinster at the RDS.