Connacht have announced that John Muldoon has signed a new contract for the 2016/17 season.
The Portumna native is currently in his 13th season of a professional career at the club and has captained the side for five of those seasons.
Muldoon made his senior debut in 2004 and has since played 260 times for the province, including 58 European games. The highest capped player, both for Connacht and in the PRO12 league, Muldoon has played in 11 of Connacht's 15 games this season, starting all but one. He touched down for his 16th Connacht try in the memorable win over Enisei-STM in Siberia last November.
The 33-year-old blindside flanker has played for Ireland on three occasions, the last cap coming against New Zealand in June 2010. He was called up to the Irish squad during the 2012 November's Guinness Series but the back rower's campaign was cut short when he was forced off with an injury during the second half of Ireland XV's non-cap international against Fiji.
Speaking on signing his contract extension, Muldoon was delighted to stay in Galway for another year. "It was very easy for me to sign on with Connacht for another year. I love this place, and I couldn't imagine playing anywhere else now. I'm definitely the 'old man' in the squad now that Swifty (Michael Swift) is gone but I don't feel it. Playing and training with these younger lads just drives me on even further and I'm really enjoying what we're doing as a squad."
Head Coach Pat Lam added that Muldoon's experience will be invaluable with Connacht's young squad. "With the amount of youth we have coming through, you cannot underestimate the importance of his experience and his character when it comes to helping others understand who and what Connacht stands for. He epitomises the 'Connacht man' and is a great example to our younger players about what you can achieve with hard work."
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