Cian Kelleher returns as Leinster confirm contracts for 2019-20 season

Leinster have officially confirmed the return of former academy star Cian Kelleher to the province from Connacht.

The 24-year-old winger returns having scored 14 tries in 54 appearances out west.

Kelleher departed the Leinster academy in 2016 after making just seven senior appearances and a sole senior try against Zebre.

“I’m incredibly excited to get back to my home province this summer and get started in an unbelievable set up in Leinster.

“It was an opportunity too good to refuse when it came up and I can’t wait to get started and compete in an extremely competitive environment. I hope to add to the incredible success the province has had in the last couple of seasons.”

Kelleher joins his younger brother Ronan in the senior squad for next year.

Connacht's Cian Kelleher scores a try (©INPHO/James Crombie)

The 21-year-old prop graduates from Leinster to his first senior contract alongside six other Academy graduates.

Leinster Rugby – New Senior Contracts 2019/20:

1. Bryan Byrne, 41 Leinster Caps (LC), 12 Leinster Tries (T) 
2. Jack Conan, 14 Ireland Caps (IC), 88 LC, 21 T 
3. Max Deegan, 45 LC, 11 T 
4. Scott Fardy, 39 Australia Caps, 43 LC, 9 T 
5. Ciarán Frawley, 14 LC, 1 T 
6. Jamison Gibson-Park, 70 LC, 15 T 
7. Cian Healy, 2 British & Irish Lions Caps (BIL), 88 IC, 2017 LC, 22 T 
8. Robbie Henshaw, 4 BIL, 37 IC, 36 LC, 7 T 
9. Dave Kearney, 17 IC, 136 LC, 29 T 
10. Hugo Keenan, 5 LC, 1 T 
11. Cian Kelleher, 7 LC, 1 T 
12. Rónan Kelleher, 2 LC 
13. Dan Leavy, 11 IC, 63 LC, 16 T 
14. Fergus McFadden, 34 IC, 178 LC, 27 T 
15. Luke McGrath, 10 IC, 112 LC, 29 T 
16. Josh Murphy, 21 LC, 1 T 
17. Conor O’Brien, 17 LC, 6 T 
18. Jimmy O’Brien, 7 LC, 3 T 
19. Hugh O’Sullivan, 14 LC 
20. Scott Penny, 6 LC, 2 T 
21. Johnny Sexton, 14 BIL, 83 IC, 159 LC, 25 T

Academy Players Promoted to Senior Squad;

1. Ciarán Frawley 
2. Hugo Keenan 
3. Rónan Kelleher 
4. Conor O’Brien 
5. Jimmy O’Brien 
6. Hugh O’Sullivan 
7. Scott Penny

Leinster Rugby – Departees 2018/19:

1. Tom Daly, 12 LC, 2 T 
2. Mick Kearney, 51 LC, 1 T 
3. Nick McCarthy, 35 LC, 4 T 
4. Jack McGrath, 7 BIL, 54 IC, 145 LC, 12 T 
5. Ian Nagle, 19 LC 
6. Seán O’Brien, 11 BIL, 56 IC, 126 LC, 20 T 
7. Noel Reid, 1 IC, 121 LC, 17 T

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