It looks like another USA Eagle has been provided a chance to be called up to professional rugby. USA Eagle and former Life University rugby, AJ MacGinty, has been recruited by Connacht Rugby. Connacht Rugby is a professional rugby team based in Galway, Ireland, who play in the Guinness Pro 12 and European Challenge Cup.
MacGinty is coming off a strong individual performance in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, this past month. He started 3 of 4 pool matches, while scoring 25 points for the Eagles, despite the USA Eagles inability to get a win.
MacGinty is formerly an Irish ex-pat, who came to the USA in 2012 where he played for the New York Athletic Club before moving to Marietta (Atlanta), Georgia to pursue a Masters in Exercise Science and Sports Science from Life University. He played Rugby at Life University until February 2015, when he gained his eligibility to play for the USA Eagles.
MacGinty earned his first call up to the Eagles for the Eagle Select’s tour of South America in April. His first cap came against Samoa in the opening round of the 2015 Pacific Nation’s Cup in which he played the full 80 minutes at outhalf, kicking 11 of his side’s 16 points.
MacGinty’s experience and talent has been recognized and coveted. In a press release, Connacht Rugby CEO, Willie Ruane, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome AJ to Connacht Rugby. He has made a name for himself as a young Irish man playing for USA in the Rugby World Cup but has been doing very well in the States for the past few years and we are very pleased that he will strengthen our options at outhalf.”
We want to congratulate AJ MacGinty and wish him best of luck in his new journey.
SOURCE: http://www.connachtrugby.ie/international-outhalf-aj-macginty-joins-connacht/#ConnachtNews