Rugby: O'CONNOR NO TO A RETURN HOME

IRISH flanker Johnny O'Connor has turned down an offer to move back to Ireland and pledged his future to Wasps for the next two seasons.

His decision is the second blow to the IRFU and Connacht, with another Galway native, lock Damien Browne, deciding to remain with Northampton Saints for the next two seasons.

Connacht - with the full backing of the IRFU - had been tracking O'Connor and Browne for almost a year.

The IRFU had endorsed the funds which would make them top earners in Connacht.

But just when it seemed that the deals were about to be inked, both players announced their intention to stay in the Guinness Premiership.

Browne, a product of Galwegians RFC who has represented Ireland at U19 and U21 levels, joined the Saints two seasons ago and is now a regular in Budge Poutney's side.

O'Connor, who cut his teeth with Corinthians RFC before moving to Galwegians, is in his third season with Wasps.

A failure by the IRFU to seriously back the move was blamed for O'Connor extending his stay by a year at that time, but with no such problem this time round, Connacht were confident of getting back their man.

Connacht chief Gerry Kelly said: "A lot of effort has gone in trying to bring them home and we were confident that they would be coming back to us for next year.

"The Union worked closely with us, but I know they're also disappointed."

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