Devine signs first professional rugby contract

Matthew Devine has signed his first professional contract with Connacht Rugby

A product of the Connacht pathway system and a graduate of the Connacht Academy,, the scrum-half came through the ranks at Ballinasloe RFC and Garbally College, where he won two Connacht Senior Schools Cups in 2019 and 2020. He becomes the latest Garbally alumni to join the professional ranks with Tiernan O’Halloran, Colm Reilly, Oisín McCormack and Shane Jennings.

Devine also played a major role in Ireland winning a Grand Slam in the 2022 U20 Six Nations, scoring 4 tries across the 5 games.

Devine is son of Mike Devine from Shannonbridge, who was part of Offaly's All-Ireland winning U-21 football panel in 1988, and a prominent rugby player with Buccaneers.

The 22-year old made his senior Connacht debut away to Lyon in the Investec Champions Cup in January, and was also named in the matchday 23 last week in the Challenge Cup win over Pau.

Connacht Head Coach Pete Wilkins says: “This is a proud day for Matthew and one that’s richly deserved. He’s an extremely talented scrum-half who is a great fit for the style of rugby we play here in Connacht, and I know he’ll only continue to get better over the coming seasons. Credit must go not just to him, but his coaches and wider network in the Connacht Academy, Garbally College and Ballinalsoe who helped develop him on his rugby journey.”