Rugby League: Ryan Maneely signs one-year contract extension for Rochdale Hornets

Ryan Maneely

Ryan Maneely has become the third Rochdale Hornets player to pledge his future to the club, as the hooker has signed for the 2018 season.

The former Halifax man joined on an initial one-month loan deal at the back end of last season, before finishing the campaign with Hornets.

He played an integral part in the club’s promotion to the Championship, and has been equally important in helping Hornets secure their status in the second flight for at least another year.

Head coach Alan Kilshaw was happy to gain his services for another year, and feels his contrasting style makes for a great partnership with Ben Moores.

“Ryan is an important member of the squad,” he commented, “he has been very consistent this season.

“His pace around the ruck compliments Ben’s style and makes for a strong combination at hooker.

“Ryan has featured from the bench for the majority of the season, but we have mixed it around a bit this season depending who we are playing.”

In recent weeks Maneely has been the only hooker available for Hornets, as Moores has served suspensions and Lewis Foster suffered injury.

Kilshaw was confident that he would step up to the challenge, however he was impressed by his ability to perform at his best for 80 minutes.

He said: “Ryan has a good engine and we always knew he could step up, but to sustain that level of work over 80 minutes has been remarkable.”

Since making his debut in a win away to Newcastle Thunder, Maneely has made 33 appearances and has scored six tries, including a late score against Oldham this year to snatch a point in a 26-26 draw.

He has bagged himself a place in the Scotland training squad for the World Cup in Australia at the end of the season, and was also part of their Four Nations squad in 2016.