Some Munster rugby bits
After our last post about Thomond Park being renamed created a bit of a stir, (and we will have a follow up post to this in the near future) this time its a bit more normal team news with the following of note. Full back for the last few years Shaun Payne has been appointed full time Team Manager with Jerry Holland remaining on in an advisory capacity. Payne will continue to play rugby at club level with UL Bohemians. Also New Zealand Maori captain Rua Tipoki is set to team up with Munster subject to him getting medical clearance and obtaining a work permit. The 31 year old centre captained the Maori in the recent Churchill Cup competition in England and was one of the beaten finalists’ stand out players.
With at least ten of the squad expected to be unavailable to coach Declan Kidney until their involvement with Ireland in the World Cup is ended, Munster have named an extended squad (35) for the coming season.
Players Outgoing: Frank Roche, Christian Cullen, Tim McGann, Trevor Halstead, Eoghan Hickey, Chris Delooze, Shane O’Connor, Brian O’Meara, Diogo Mateus, Ross Noonan.
Munster: Tony Buckley, Marcus Horan, Darragh Hurley, John Hayes, Eugene McGovern, Federico Pucciariello, Denis Fogarty, Jerry Flannery, Frank Sheahan, Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan, Mick O’Driscoll, Donnacha Ryan, Chris Wyatt, James Coughlan, Anthony Foley, Denis Leamy, John O’Sullivan, Alan Quinlan, Niall Ronan, David Wallace.
Brian Carney, Ian Dowling, Anthony Horgan, John Kelly, Kieran Lewis, Mossy Lawlor, Barry Murphy, Jeremy Manning, Ronan O’Gara, Tomas O’Leary, Lifeimi Mafi, Peter Stringer Paul Warwick.
Development Contracts: Denis Hurley, Gerry Hurley, Tom Gleeson, Keith Earls, Ciaran O’Boyle, Mark Lelbourne, Timmy Ryan,
Management:
Declan Kidney – Coach:
Jim Williams – Forwards Coach:
Tony McGahan – Skills/Defence Backs Coach:
Shaun Payne – Team Manager.