Cronin gives Connacht cause to celebrate

The 23-year-old has signed a one-year contract extension with the Galway-based outfit that will keep him at The Sportsground until the end of the 2010/11 season.

Cronin is currently one of Connacht's biggest assets and newspaper reports had suggested that he may decide to return to former side Munster at the end of the current campaign.

But he has instead chosen to remain at the province with whom he has established himself as one of Ireland's most-promising young players.

Cronin made his international debut against Fiji during the recent autumn internationals and is being tipped as the long-term successor to Jerry Flannery in the Ireland No2 shirt.

And with Ulster's Rory Best still absent with a neck injury, Cronin is in line for a spot in the Ireland squad for the Six Nations opener against Italy on February 6.

Securing Cronin's signature provides some welcome good news for the Magners League's basement team, especially after their opening two fixtures of 2010 fell victim to the adverse weather earlier this month.