Former Leinster back row Martin Moloney has signed a contract with the Exeter Chiefs for the 2024/25 season after impressing on trial.
The 24-year-old had been training with the Premiership side after departing Leinster this summer, and after impressing for Rob Baxter’s side in recent friendlies against London Scottish and Cornish Pirates, has agreed a deal for the coming season.
The Athy native played 11 times for Leinster between 2021 and 2024, but his time at the province was heavily disrupted by a long-term knee injury.
The former Ireland U20 Grand Slam winner played his final game for the province in their BKT United Rugby Championship Round 15 defeat to the Stormers in Cape Town in April, which had been his first Leinster appearance since October 2020.
“I am hugely excited to be joining the Exeter Chiefs squad this season,” Moloney said.
“Watching how the team has performed over the last few years and the style of rugby that they play here, it is clear that now is a great time to be joining the club.
“Having been here for the last two months, I have learned a lot more about the rich history of this club.
“I look forward to representing the club this season and helping this group add to the legacy that is already here.”
Moloney joins a growing Irish contingent at the Chiefs, linking up with his former team-mate Jack Dunne who has been in Devon since 2020, while former Munster lock Eoin O’Connor and Ulsterman Niall Armstrong are also on the books with the club.
Exeter had also been home to former Leinster centre Rory O’Loughlin, but the one-cap Ireland international was forced into retirement earlier this year due to a persistent shoulder injury.
Exeter director of rugby Baxter said: “Martin has now joined up with us for the remainder of the season. He’s a young guy who’s had some injury issues at Leinster, took an opportunity to come to us on a long-term trial. We initially extended that period having watched him train for a month to include the recent double header games.
“He’s trained really well for us and will give us a different option in the back row but also strengthen us in a position where – with players leaving and injuries – we’ve not got the strength in depth that we’ve had previously.
“He certainly adds a different dimension over the ball and around the contact area for us. So, we’ve been delighted to agree a contract with Martin to keep him with us until the end of the season.”
