Dynamic Limerick prop commits to English Championship side for another season

A LIMERICK prop has signed up for a third season with English Championship side, Bedford Blues.

Twenty five-year-old loosehead prop Joey Conway, from Castleconnell, has re-committed his future to the club ahead of the upcoming 2023/24 Championship campaign.

Conway joined Bedford in the summer of 2021, having featuring for Munster A in the sides'  2017 British & Irish Cup tie.

The dynamic prop spent several years in the Munster age-grade set-up winning interprovincial titles with both the U18s and U19s. A further spell with the U20s/Development side and the Academy also helped his progression.

He featured prominently in the Irish U20s side in 2017, playing in four of their Six Nations matches and featuring in the World Championships later that year.  

Conway also featured for UL Bohemians in the All-Ireland League – where he made his first steps into rugby and has been captain for the past two seasons before switching to Bedford. The Limerick man also represented Castletroy College in his formative years where he won a Munster Schools Junior Cup.

He was a mainstay in the Bedford front row last season and joins James Fish in being the first members announced for the next season at the coal face of the scrum.

Concluding last season as the highest scoring forward in the team, Conway added seven from 23 appearances including a crucial score in the away victory at Cornish Pirates and throughout the long unbeaten run at Goldington Road.

On retaining Conway as part of the group next season, Director of Rugby, Mike Rayer said: “Joey has really settled into life in Bedford. He was pretty much the first name on the team sheet last season and showed a great level of consistency.

“Joey is maturing as a player nicely and hopefully with a bit of competition to come, that will push him on even further.”

Taking a more senior role in his position last year, Conway is an example of growing into the jersey and the club to now really nail down his position in the matchday squad, something he’ll be keen to maintain into a third campaign.

Now destined to hit 50 appearances for Bedford, Conway currently holds statistics of 11 tries in 47 appearances and has really benefitted from being able to work so closely with Forwards Coach, Sean McCarthy, who was also a loosehead during his playing days.

Commenting on his decision to remain part of the Blues next term, Conway confirmed: “It was a really easy decision for me to stay at Goldington Road. I always tell everyone this is my home away from home and I’m delighted to remain part of the team.

“Last season was a big year for us, and we want to keep building towards something special. We feel like we can really reap the benefits of the continual progression we’ve shown certainly in my two years at the club.”