Kitting Out With Kiely

Now in his twelfth season with Munster Rugby, we catch up with Kit Manager Jack Kiely who has spent the last couple of weeks busily sorting the new Munster training kit for players and management ahead of the new season.

Throughout the season Jack is the man responsible for the Munster kit at training and matches, both home and away. Despite a packed training and match schedule across the season, he is never busier than he is in the month of June when he takes delivery of the entire squad’s training gear for the coming season.

“This is always my busiest time of the season. Every player has to be fitted with the correct size for each part of the kit, and there’s a lot of different elements to it – everything from leisure wear to the actual training kit of jerseys, socks, shorts, t-shirts, polo shirts, just to name a few. The process will usually start at the middle of June, with the aim to have all the gear ready for the players on their return to training, with the first group of lads back at the start of July.

“We could have anything up to 15 pallets of gear arriving, all of which has to be counted and checked, and then all the different elements are put together into each player’s bag with their squad number on it. We prepare gear for 45 players, and anywhere between 15 and 20 team management members, depending on the squad and management team size for a particular season.”

Over a decade with the province, the Limerickman has seen the gear evolve with the game.

“Sizes range from small to 3XL and while I’d love to divulge who is what size – especially the 3XL lads, I had better not. I’ve seen the weights they lift in the gym so I wouldn’t fancy my chances! In my time with Munster there has been a big change in the gear worn by the players. Go back to Peter Clohessy’s time when he and all the fellas were glad to wear something that was loose fitting, however in this day and age the lads like to have the gear that’s figure hugging.”

Who is fondest of the tight fitting gear? Do tell Jack…

“I don’t like to name anyone, but if you were to hold a gun to my head I’d have to say that in his heyday Fla (Jerry Flannery) would have started the trend. Now that he’s back as a coach I had to have a quiet word with him, and told him he’ll have to take what he’s given. Because of him and Ian Dowling we had to take down the mirrors in the dressing room.”

Finally, Jack is happy to report that the new gear is a hit amongst the players.

“This year’s kit is going down very well, so much so I’ve yet to receive any complaints. Some of the new colours include luminous orange and green which go down well with the younger lads – you know yourself, they like a bit of flash.”

The new adidas Munster training gear hits stores on August 1^st.

The first of many pallets – Jack begins the large task of sorting all of next season's training gear.