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He started his career with Terenure who he helped to a senior title in 1997 before moving to UCD. He then played with Leinster from 2001-2006 season and played 49 times. Renowned for playing with his heart on his sleeve, Blaney always put his body on the line with trademark charging runs at the defence, or bullish tackles. Was an accurate player in the set piece his real strength was in leadership and open play where he dominated. Blaney then went to Bristol in the 06 season.

Blaney's is a tale of taking your chance when it presents itself. The hooker only joined the club in August following a disastrous preseason friendly at Neath when Saul Nelson injured an ankle and Neil Clark tore his ACL. With Mark Regan only backed up by Academy prospect Ryan Prosser, Blaney was recommended to the club by former Leinster team mate Brian O'Riordan. He quickly impressed the coaches and was signed up until the end of the season.

Since then, he has regularly been Regan's back up and made five starts and four replacement appearances until picking up a rib injury in the EDF Energy Cup tie at Ospreys in December. He's now recovered from that injury, started against Bucuresti recently and has done enough in his time with the club to earn a two year contract as Head Coach Richard Hill explained today:

"David was really up against it when he joined us. He hadn't been through preseason with us and we threw him right in at the deep end."

"But he's got down to some serious hard work and established himself as an integral and popular member of the squad. We believe that there's a real upside to David. He's going to have a part to play in the remainder of this season but should be able to contribute even more next season with a decent preseason behind him."

"With Mark Regan, Scott Linklater and now David under contract plus Ryan Prosser, I believe that we have real strength in depth at the hooking position."

Blaney's try scoring record is second to none where he racked up five trys in six games for Bristol in the 07 season, out at present with a suspected broken leg, Bristol will be keen for his return.