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Rugby Union

Munster coach Kidney named new Ireland boss

07/05/2008

Munster head coach Declan Kidney has been unveiled as Eddie O'Sullivan's replacement with the Ireland national rugby union side.

Kidney, 48, has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract that will take him through until after the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

As a result of his existing commitments to the Magners League club, who will play in the Heineken Cup final in Cardiff on May 24th, Kidney will not take up full-time management with Ireland until after the summer tour.

The Ireland squad travel to Australia and New Zealand to take on the two southern hemisphere heavyweights in June, and before that they host the Barbarians in Dublin.

Commenting on his appointment, Kidney said there is "no greater honour for any coach then to lead his own country" and he is "delighted" to have been given the chance.

"To be here… is the pinnacle of my career," he explained.

"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."

The chief executive of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), 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."

Kidney has worked within the Irish international setup in the past, as an assistant to former head coach O'Sullivan during the 2003 World Cup in Australia.