Sean Cronin signs two year deal with Leinster

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/newsroom/7291.php

Leinster Rugby are delighted to announce the signing of Ireland hooker Sean Cronin who will join the province in the summer on a two year deal...

Cronin, 24, was educated at Ardscoil Rís in Limerick and has previously played with Munster and Connacht, whom he joined in the summer of 2008.

A former Ireland Schools representative, Cronin featured in the AIB League for Shannon and he earned his first Ireland cap against Fiji in the RDS in November 2009, incidentally in the same match as Jonathan Sexton and Sean O’Brien.

He won his first start against New Zealand in the 2010 Summer Tests and also started against Australia. Cronin has also represented Ireland Schools, U-19, U-21, and ‘A’ (Ireland Wolfhounds) levels.

The Limerick man played three games in the recent Guinness series against Samoa, New Zealand and Argentina and has featured 7 times for Ireland to date.

Sean Cronin said: “I am delighted to put pen to paper on a deal to join Leinster this summer and I believe that with the exciting players in the squad, the future looks bright.

“I have been hugely impressed by Leinster’s displays both in the Magners League and in the Heineken Cup so far this season and the province’s ambitions mirror my own. Hopefully I can establish myself in the squad when I join up in a few months time.

“I am grateful for the opportunity that Connacht have given me over the last three years to play for a fantastic club. They will continue to grow from strength to strength under Eric Elwood and the existing management team and I will do my utmost to help improve our Magners League standing over the coming months.â€

Commenting on Cronin’s signing, Leinster Coach Joe Schmidt said: “It’s great that Sean has confirmed that he will join us this summer. He is a dynamic and talented front rower who will add experience at hooker following the retirement of John Fogarty earlie this season.â€

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

I'm really happy with that signing. Leinster's coach likes to mix and match his front rows and now he has the chance to rotate in all positions. Healy and van der Merwe, Ross and Wright and now Strauss and Cronin is a quality mix. Add in promising youngsters like Jack McGrath, Jason Harris Wright and Stewart Maguire and Leinster are well stocked across the front row.

 

[munstermuffin]

Great signing and should be final box ticked to see him as outright Ireland number 2.
Leinster really do deserve credit for building an impressive squad and may I add even though Cronin is coming I can't see Strauss just handing jersey over.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Definitely not. Strauss has been outstanding. Cronin will need to improve his lineout throwing to usurp the South African but the competition should spur both players on.

On a side note, Munster must be ****** at this. It was assumed that he went to Connacht for experience before returning to his native province but clearly Leinster have made a better offer. Sean Cronin, Mike Ross, Eoin Reddan and Stephen Keogh are four Munster men who are valuable members of Leinster's squad for next season. In turn Munster have Ian Keatley (who no doubt Leinster are equally ****** at missing out on), Denis Hurley, Johne Murphy, Ian Dowling, Felix Jones and Niall Ronan on their books from Leinster.

 

[coonor]

A great signing. Hooker is a position where Leinster could do with a bit of experience and more strength in depth. Harris Wright is a good player but I think we needed a better back and more competition. Cronin has grown up and is now to good to be at Connacht while he could be competing in the H-cup. This should help build his confidence and his lineout skills should improve. Two top class hookers both having skills all around the pitch. Cronin is probably the fastest international hooker around and Strauss has great handling skills. Leinster really have strength in depth that just keeps growing.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

I find it hilarious that recently there has been a policy introduced by the IRFU where Leinster, Munster and Ulster are expected to share their wealth of players with Connacht to help them improve and now Leinster have signed Connacht's best player... Connacht must be piiissseeddd

 

[TRF_Olyy]

and Fionn Carr rumoured to be off to Ulster too
Not great for the men out west

 

[Jockstap]

Christ but it's tough being a Connacht fan.

 

[coonor]

I thing the IRFU will be waiting to see who actually leaves Connacht and see what position lack strength before sending loads of players west. Connacht have already signed 3 players and Hagan is staying with them which is a big bonus.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Excellent. 4 good props, 2 good hookers and a rake of good kids coming through. Poor Connacht, Cronin has been immense for them for the past few years. Surely Sherry or JHW will be on their way out west now.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

I thing the IRFU will be waiting to see who actually leaves Connacht and see what position lack strength before sending loads of players west. Connacht have already signed 3 players and Hagan is staying with them which is a big bonus.

That's a tall order when it comes to Connacht

 

[Feicarsinn]

Yeah, that's about 16 positions!

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

If Fionn Carr goes to the nordies as is being suggested, they'll have swapped him for Mark McCrea and Niall O'Connor. I presume Connacht will get a couple of players from Munster for Ian Keatley and will swap Sean Cronin for a pair of Leinster prospects. There are some rumours that Connacht have agreed a deal with James Loxton, a Wales u20 international full back/winger and they've already re-signed the excellent George Naoupu from Japanese club rugby. Cronin, Carr and Keatley for eight or more strong contributors to their matchday 23 is a pretty good deal for Connacht in my opinion. The new faces may take time to bed in but by this time next year the westies should start reaping some rewards.