Donnellan extends spell as Carnegie begin rebuilding
STRUGGLING Yorkshire Carnegie have begun their much-needed rebuilding programme by signing former Ireland Under 20s hooker Dylan Donnellan for the rest of the season.
The ex-Biarritz player originally joined on a trial basis last month but has now shown enough to earn a deal until the end of the 2018-19 campaign.
Carnegie are rooted to the bottom of the Championship and suffered an embarrassing 72-5 defeat at London Irish on Saturday.
Those two clubs played in the Championship play-off final for a place in the Premiership less than 18 months ago but the Yorkshire side’s slide since is alarming.
However, director of rugby Chris Stirling says he has been promised funds to strengthen the squad in the next few weeks.
“We are pleased that Dylan has committed himself to Yorkshire Carnegie for the remainder of the season,” he said. “He has shown a great attitude on and off the pitch and I am looking forward to seeing him to continue to develop.”
Donnellan, 23, was initially recommended to Carnegie by their former coach Stuart Lancaster after the hooker impressed the ex-England boss whilst training with European champions Leinster earlier this season.
The player hails from Galway but spent most of his rugby career in Leinster, attending Clongowes Wood College before joining the province’s Academy.
Donnellan played for Ireland Under-20s at the 2014 World Club Championship in New Zealand, reaching the semi-final, before spells with Biarritz and Clontarf.
He has scored twice in six appearances so far for Carnegie who host London Scottish on Friday.