Sweeney, Flanagan sign for the Blues
Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:41
Cardiff Blues revealed on Friday that they have signed former Wales flyhalf Ceri Sweeney from the Newport Gwent Dragons.
A product of the Pontypridd youth team, Sweeney made his debut for Wales against England in the Six Nations in 2003, and was part of the Wales 2007 World Cup squad. He won the last of his 35 caps against the World Cup-winning South African team at the Millennium Stadium in November.
Young flyhalf David Flanagan has also signed a contract extension with the Cardiff Blues.
The 22-year-old Blues academy product has featured 12 times for the Blues this season.
His first appearance of the season saw him coming off the bench in for Nicky Robinson in the EDF Energy Cup match against the Leicester Tigers at Welford Road. Since then he has performed solidly for the Blues featuring in four Heineken Cup matches and scoring a crucial late drop-goal in the match against Stade Francais at the Arms Park.
A native of Cefn Hengoed in the Rhymney Valley, Dai played at junior level for Ystrad Mynach, whilst a pupil at the local Lewis Pengam Boys school.
The 2005/2006 season proved was the watershed season for Flanagan, gaining further caps for Wales at Under-21 level, making a senior regional debut for the Blues, and coolly slotting over an injury time drop-goal to clinch the Konica Minolta Cup for Pontypridd at the Millennium Stadium.
Cardiff Blues Chief Executive Robert Norster expressed his delight at the latest developments.
"Ceri is a quality player who has been a consistent performer for the professional sides he has represented and carries significant experience following his involvement so far with the Wales national team," Norster said.
"Young Dai has also shown impressive levels of maturity and continues to make progress in the senior game. We are always looking to strengthen our squad whenever possible and are confident both these young Welsh players will improve our future play-making options."
The Blues can also confirm that second row forward, James Goode who has once again been sidelined through injury for much of the season is set to re-establish his career by joining Manawatu in New Zealand.
Hooker, Duane Goodfield whose opportunities with the Blues have also suffered again through injury is set to join the Newport Gwent Dragons at the end of the current season.
