Kidney to wait before picking up the reins

Rugby

Declan Kidney has been officially named as the new Ireland coach

Kidney can lead Irish into a new era: Drico

Thursday, May 08, 2008

By Gavin Mairs

After what appears to be a protracted period of negotiations, both regarding contract and back-up staff, Declan Kidney was yesterday officially unveiled as the new head coach of the Ireland.

The Munster coach, who had originally been groomed for the position when he was appointed assistant to Eddie O'Sullivan in 2001 - which back then was perceived as the dream ticket - however will not be in charge for Ireland's upcoming tour of New Zealand and Australia in June, or the friendly against the Barbarians later this month.

Although the IRFU were no doubt keen for the 48-year-old to take up the reins sooner, given that the IRB world rankings will now be used for seedings for the 2011 World Cup, Kidney, who has the no small matter of preparing Munster for the Heineken Cup final against Toulouse on May 24, has taken the wise move to side step what had the potential to be a nightmare opening for the new coach.

Instead the IRFU will shortly announce an interim management team, which is likely to include Niall O'Donovan and Michael Bradley, with Joe Miles the leading contender to be manager. Kidney will have no role in the selection of the squad.

Kidney, who was discarded by O'Sullivan in 2004 after the pair failed to gel, has signed a deal that will see him coach Ireland up to and including the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand. The contract is slightly shorter than the one handed to O'Sullivan last August, which took the former coach to the Six Nations Championship in 2012.

"There is no greater honour for any coach then to lead his own country, " said Kidney, who boasts the most decorated coaching CV in Irish Rugby.

" I have had that privilege at several levels of the game in Ireland from schools and U19s as well as working with the senior Ireland team and I am delighted to have this opportunity and to be here at what is the pinnacle of my career.

"I have worked with many exceptional players during my career at both international and provincial level and there is no doubt that we have the talent in Ireland to be successful at the highest level.

"The challenge going forward for the Ireland team and Irish Rugby as a whole is to continue the growth and success on the field. I am excited about the challenge and looking forward to working with the players.

"My focus now for the next three weeks will be totally on the Munster team and the preparation for the Heineken European Cup Final."

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne said: "The record of Declan Kidney speaks for itself and it was obvious from the very beginning of this process that he was one of the main contenders to lead Ireland to the next Rugby World Cup in 2011.

"His ability to achieve success and develop players in the ever increasing competitive arena of professional rugby is proven and the IRFU is delighted to have made this appointment.

"While the need to make the appointment as soon as was practicable was important, the IRFU was conscious of keeping any disruption to the preparations of the Munster team to a minimum."