O'Brien signs with IRFU

[Dave Cahill]

@irfurugby
The IRFU is pleased to confirm that @SeanOBrien1987 has signed a new IRFU contract to remain with @leinsterrugby full details later today

[nc6000]

Excellent news.

[slum]

brilliant. fintan drury must be furious.

[Blue not red blood]

What a great start to the day.
We all dream of a team of Sean OBriens will be hears all over Ballabridge tpmorrow night.

[domhnallj]

This means...that the Indo piece I read last night....was correct?

Very happy to hear that Sean is staying.

[nopeare]

Delighted heard on 98fm about 8 this morning that the IRFU upped their offer and now an hour later he signed

[Dexter]

I'm confused...we were repeatedly told in other threads here, in no uncertain terms, that Seanie was "gone". Just who can you believe these days??

Fantastic news! Made my day already

[Dave Cahill]

16 JANUARY 2014

THE IRFU have won the battle for Sean O’Brien’s signature after a protracted series of negotiations ended this morning in the Tullow native signing a new deal.

Despite strong interest from several French clubs including Toulon, the 26-year-old has put pen to paper on a contract that Independent.ie understands will keep him with Leinster until 2016.

O’Brien visited the European champions last weekend, taking in their game against Cardiff Blues in Nice but a fresh offer from the union made yesterday has persuaded him to remain in Ireland.

The agreement represents a significant coup for the IRFU who are still in negotiations with Jamie Heaslip, Paul O’Connell and Keith Earls.

Heaslip has also spoken to Toulon about a move and it remains to be seen what impact the O’Brien deal has on his future with the mega-rich French club targeting an international class back-row forward for next season.

O’Brien is currently recuperating from shoulder surgery and will miss this year’s Six Nations, but the 26-year-old’s decision to stay is a major boost to Joe Schmidt’s long-term hopes while it will also come as a major relief to Leinster fans who feared he would follow Jonathan Sexton to France.

Ruaidhri O’Connor

http://www.independent.ie/sport/sean-ob ... 22138.html

[fourthirtythree]

Excellent! And I'd say Fintan Drury is a very happy man today by the way.

[OTT]

Great stuff.

[BlueStreak]

Fantastic news! As has been said, it goes to show you can never believe what you read. The next time there's speculation about a player tho, there'll be just as much panicking!!

[fourthirtythree]

Yeah but Heaslip's definitely gone. Definitely totally.

[Dave Cahill]

Excellent! And I'd say Fintan Drury is a very happy man today by the way.

Yep, he still gets his cut no matter who he signs for - it might be less off the front end, but more when the ancillaries start rolling in.

[jimbobjoe]

Hallelujah!!! In SOB we trust!

[Broken Wing]

Fantastic news.

[rdsblue]

Maybe this will stop the Russians talking about the austerity in Carlow

[footrush]

Great news for the South East he gives so much of his time promoting the game down here.

[promsandwich]

As an Ulster fan and an Ireland fan I think this is great news for Irish rugby. I'm pleased to see the IRFU really put their best foot forward to keep one of the biggest marquee players in Ireland at an Irish club. One wanders if his current injury and the Irish player management programme had much influence over his decision? I would also imagine ( pure speculation clearly ) that some Irish players must be having a look at Sexton and thinking "It might be better money but it doesn't look like much craic" to exchange challenging for titles to relative mediocrity. Good article by O'Gara in the IT today saying the time is not right for O'Brien but might be for Heaslip. Anyway, great news for you lads and for Irish rugby.

[honeyec]

I told yis. That fecker can't even spend a full week in Dublin at a time.

[Degz]

Does this mean there has been movement on the Heineken Cup argument? Can't see where the money would come from otherwise.

Anyhow, who gives a fupp, delighted.