Devine, Treacy and West sign first professional contracts with Connacht

CONTRACTS: Harry West, Finn Treacy and John Devine all sign professional contracts with Connacht Rugby.

Connacht Rugby announce that John Devine, Finn Treacy and Harry West have signed their first professional contracts with the province ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Exclusively announced during the Connacht Rugby Awards on Saturday night, the trio have come up through the Academy pathway system and now move into the pro team setup.

Devine will join his brother Matthew as the latest pair of homegrown brothers in the Connacht professional ranks, has excelled for both Corinthians and the Connacht Eagles at inside centre.

West came through the club system at Ballina RFC, started out at fly-half before transitioning towardsd full-back.

Treacy, winner of Academy Player of the Year, has been drafted from Year two of the Academy after becoming a regular member of the senior matchday squad for the second half of this season. He has made eight appearances to date -starting seven - and has scored five tries to date.

The trio have experience at Ireland U20s level. In 2023 Devine started all 10 games for Ireland in the U20s Six Nations and World Championships while West featured in five games as well as the previous U20s Summer Series. 

In 2024 Treacy made nine appearances across the Six Nations and World Championships.

Connacht Academy manager Eric Elwood said “Today is a proud day for John, Finn and Harry, as well as their families and respective clubs and schools. All three men have worked tremendously hard to get to where they are, and I know they have what is required to take the next step in their careers.

"I want to thank everyone involved in their rugby development at their clubs and schools, who helped them on the start of their journey. I also want to acknowledge the coaches and wider Academy staff for the support provided to all our Academy and Pathway players in the season just gone.

"Our integration model with the Professional team has provided our up-and-coming players with increased exposure to an elite playing environment, and we will continue to give Academy players the best opportunity possible to grow and develop.”

“Today is a proud day for John, Finn and Harry, as well as their families and respective clubs and schools. All three men have worked tremendously hard to get to where they are, and I know they have what is required to take the next step in their careers.

I want to thank everyone involved in their rugby development at their clubs and schools, who helped them on the start of their journey. I also want to acknowledge the coaches and wider Academy staff for the support provided to all our Academy and Pathway players in the season just gone.

Our integration model with the Professional team has provided our up-and-coming players with increased exposure to an elite playing environment, and we will continue to give Academy players the best opportunity possible to grow and develop.”