Joining on a one-year deal, 23-year-old scrum-half, Michael McDonald, will arrive in the province from Super Rugby side, Western Force, in time for this summer’s pre-season.
Born in Louth, McDonald spent his childhood years playing at Dundalk RFC, before moving to Perth in Australia at the age of 13, where he moved up the ranks to make his Senior debut for Western Force in the Rapid Rugby tournament as a 19-year-old.
He was selected for the Junior Wallabies, which led him to the World Cup Final in 2019. His impressive performances led to his signing for Super Rugby franchise, Waratahs, where he spent a season before moving back to Western Force last year.
Head Coach, Dan McFarland, said:
“Michael is a promising young half-back who has cut his teeth playing in the southern hemisphere, and he will fit in well with the style of rugby we want to play at Ulster, as he continues to hone his skills in the months ahead.
“We look forward to welcoming Michael to the club as preparations for the new season get underway.”
On signing with Ulster, McDonald, said:
“I’m really excited about the opportunity to be joining Ulster. It’s always been a goal of mine to get back to Ireland and experience rugby in the northern hemisphere at a professional level. I’m extremely grateful, and I look forward to having a go.”
I'm a little confused as to the why of this. Cooney played his way back to start at the end of the season. But he won't hold off Doak for long, and he is definitely the future. So a one year contract for a third 9?
Thelaw wrote:I'm a little confused as to the why of this. Cooney played his way back to start at the end of the season. But he won't hold off Doak for long, and he is definitely the future. So a one year contract for a third 9?
Cooney leaving next year.
Shanahan contract up next year.
Doak 5 year contract with no real competition after Cooney goes.
Finlay nowhere near the level of ulster senior rugby.
McDonald and Doak will push each other.
Worst thing would be if he develops well within the year then gets picked up by turnips or ladyboys.
That would be a kick in the nuts.
Glad to see him coming here though.
Best wishes to Cooney also.
My thinking is it a student type exchange with rugby attached -- a keep fit and play for small ? pay can't see it as mega bucks deal to be honest. but there could be options with some contacts coming to an end and players looking a pay day overseas
Within this carapace of skepticism there lives an optimist
Thelaw wrote:I'm a little confused as to the why of this. Cooney played his way back to start at the end of the season. But he won't hold off Doak for long, and he is definitely the future. So a one year contract for a third 9?
Cooney leaving next year.
Shanahan contract up next year.
Doak 5 year contract with no real competition after Cooney goes.
Finlay nowhere near the level of ulster senior rugby.
McDonald and Doak will push each other.
Thelaw wrote:I'm a little confused as to the why of this. Cooney played his way back to start at the end of the season. But he won't hold off Doak for long, and he is definitely the future. So a one year contract for a third 9?
Cooney leaving next year.
Shanahan contract up next year.
Doak 5 year contract with no real competition after Cooney goes.
Finlay nowhere near the level of ulster senior rugby.
McDonald and Doak will push each other.
They didn't announce the length of Cooney's new contract, but this signing suggests it's not long. They may also be concerned about his fitness. He missed a lot of last season with injuries. If he gets injured again, then Dave Shanahan is the only backup to Doak. Some more cover can't hurt.
One thing puzzles me. Why is everyone saying McDonald is "Irish-qualified"? He's from Dundalk, so he's actually Irish, and Australian-qualified by residence.
but there could be options with some contacts coming to an end and players looking a pay day overseas