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CONFIRMEDFRENCH PRO D2 club Brive have confirmed the signing of Irish scrum-half John Cooney from Ulster on a two-year deal.
34-year-old Cooney will make the move to Brive this summer.
Cooney will bid farewell to Ulster after eight seasons with the northern province, for whom he has been a big fan favourite.
The former Leinster and Connacht scrum-half also won 11 caps for Ireland but will now look forward to a new adventure in French rugby.
Brive, whose squad includes ex-England back row Courtney Lawes and former Ireland international Stuart Olding, are currently third in the Pro D2 and hope to earn promotion into the Top 14 ahead of next season.
“First and foremost, I would like to thank the Ulster fans for their incredible support over the years and for accepting me as one of their own,” said Cooney as his move to Brive was confirmed.
“Secondly, I’d like to thank Ulster Rugby for taking a punt on me and giving me the opportunity to represent this amazing province.
“Playing for Ulster has always been an absolute privilege for me, and I have never taken for granted how much this club means to so many people.
“There is no better feeling in the world than coming out to the fans singing ‘Stand up for the Ulstermen’.
“And I will always be an Ulsterman!”
Ulster head coach Richie Murphy wished Cooney well with his move to France, while the province’s general manager, Bryn Cunningham, hailed the scrum-half’s impact in Belfast.
“When Ruan Pienaar left in the summer of 2017, there was a void that badly needed filled,” said Cunningham.
“Many understandably thought we would not find a suitable replacement; such was the impact that Ruan made on this province.
“While we were pushed other Irish profiles, it was John that we decided to go after. It is testament to him that he has turned out to be one of the most influential players in the modern era for Ulster Rugby. Aside from performing consistently at such a high level since he arrived, his durability, game-changing moments, kicking prowess, and impact he has made on the fans, has been a joy to watch.
“On a personal level, he has more than repaid the faith we showed in him, and, with a French move always something he wanted to explore, we wish him nothing but success in the next chapter of his career.”
Brive’s sporting manager, Pierre-Henry Broncon, expressed their excitement about confirming the addition of Cooney.
“We’re delighted to welcome John to the team,” said Broncon.
“He is an experienced player with strong physical attributes and a reliable kicking game. He is used to playing in tough matches and his intelligence on the pitch will be an asset to our game plan. We look forward to working with him.”
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The main thing is that the conversation has started in Government on how best to stop the Ukrainians taking advantage of us Irish taxpayers.
We love our new friends in Treasure Ireland,very friendly and generous,
Make sure the jet is big enough to make it to China, last time Eamon Ryan traveled there to celebrate St Patrick’s Day he was forced to book a carbon-heavy 1st class seat with the general public on board the plane, how unfitting for an Irish government minister, and make sure it can be fueled by cabbage juice to keep the Greens happy, not one of this extremely polluting fossil fuel powered private jets.
@john dennehy: So you have a problem with Ireland,a tiny part free island at the end of Europe and the whole world celebrating our day and government ministers going around the world to further our country or you just want to have a go at the green party which is fine but it’s very important we milk every st Patrick’s Day around the world for our island of Ireland
@Daniel Roche: No, I have a problem with Eamon Ryan flying 1st class when every other day he is preaching to the rest of us about reducing our carbon footprints to save the planet, Eamon should practice what he preaches and lead by example and he should also know first-class tickets on a long-haul flight emits, on average, four times as much as an economy seat or maybe he just forgets these facts when it suits him and can’t wait to jump on the governments new private jet for his next jolly.
The real problem was the make it up as you go along refugee crisis just to make Martin and Varadkar appear to be world statesmen , until reality caught up with them .
A small country like lreland doesn’t need a jet or any other kind of aircraft that what is rong with this country
@John Boyle: It does really,the jet isn’t just used for our government.
Definitely have to limit the amount the amount we are paying the refugees met loads recently in my local all having a laugh and drinking shorts of whiskey to beat the band €8 a short , talked to a few of them and most said why would they need to work if we are so generous with our social welfare payments that really P***ed me being self employed having to make my oven living yet other get all for free they should be cut off and made to contribute like any others as we are not a charity this is tax payers money and I pay my taxes , enough is enough we need a radical change Ireland is like a refugee hotel most living the life of Reilly
What are all their advisors doing?. Do they not communicate with one another?.
It’s a lazy excuse.
So rain in October in Ireland is proof that climate change is here & now…sweet Jesus!!!
‘He ‘had’ to travel on a commercial flight …’
And?
So the plane broke down, he got stranded so they all got confused and started shouting at each other.
Thank god it wasn’t anything serious!
And on Micheal Martin’s planet that all makes perfect sense and he did a wonderful job yet again.May he never have to face reality or he’s in for some shock.
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