Former Munster utility back Stephen Fitzgerald makes permanent switch to Connacht

MUNSTER have confirmed that utility back Stephen Fitzgerald has made a permanent move to Connacht for next season.

Limerick man Fitzgerald was one of three players to sign one-year contracts with Connacht this Wednesday.

Twenty three-year-old Fitzgerald initially left Munster to join up with Connacht on a short-term deal last December.

Fitzgerald joins Tom Daly and former Munster scrum-half Angus Lloyd in signing contracts with the province ahead of 2019/20 season.

The trio had all featured for Connacht on loan periods during the current campaign and have impressed Andy Friend and his coaching team.

Stephen Fitzgerald joins his brother Conor who signed his first professional contract with Connacht this week in committing his future to the Western province.

Fitzgerald made his debut in the interprovincial win over Ulster at the end of 2018 and like Daly has featured seven times in total for the province, also scoring a try against Glasgow.

At international level, the winger has featured for the Ireland U20s, representing his country at the 2015 World Under 20 Championship.

An accomlished winger and full-back, Fitzgerald made his PRO12 debut for Munster in September 2015 against Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium, scoring his first senior try.

Shannon clubman Fitzgerald featured in the Ireland Men's 7s squad and made five Munster A appearances in the B&I Cup later that season.

Fitzgerald played a significant role in Munster A's 2016/17 B&I Cup title winning campaign.

Following three years in the Academy programme, the former Ardscoil Ris star graduated to a Senior Development contract in June 2017.

Fitzgerald signed a one-year extension to his development contract in February 2018 and scored a try on his first start of the season away to Cardiff later that month.