Former Munster Players Working With Next Generation

A number of former Munster players have recently started roles that will see them work with the next generation of players in the province.

Ian Keatley has been appointed as Provincial Talent Coach (men) this month and will be based in the HPC.

Ian Keatley, who made 180 appearances and scored 1,247 points for Munster before moving to London Irish in January 2019, was an assistant coach with the Munster U18 Boys’ Schools squad last year.

Keatley will be responsible for the delivery of the National Talent Development Programme within the province (U16-U20) and for ensuring vibrant programmes exist in which elite players are identified and developed.

In previous seasons, Keatley worked with the province’s pathway players by delivering skills and kicking sessions.

Former Munster and Ireland captain Niamh Briggs began her new role as Provincial Talent Coach-WNTS (Women’s National Talent Squad) last month at the HPC.

Briggs has overseen two Interpro title winning campaigns for the Munster Women over the past two seasons, as Assistant Coach in 2021/22 and Head Coach in 2022/23.

Munster head coach Niamh Briggs and Kate Flannery 
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She is assistant coach to the Ireland women’s senior team and earned 62 caps for Ireland in her playing days, winning two Six Nations titles.

She has also held the position of Head Coach with UL Bohemian in the Women’s All Ireland League.

Former Ireland hooker Sean Cronin and Munster hooker Denis Fogarty have been working with the province’s age-grade players in providing technical knowledge and position specific coaching support. Cronin and Fogarty have both followed the coaching pathway after retirement from successful playing careers.

Former Munster Academy player Sean Cronin spent two years at the province after coming up through the age-grade ranks at the province. He went on to have a very successful career with Connacht, Leinster and Ireland and earned 72 Irish caps.

Fogarty made 91 appearances for Munster and also played for Aurillac, Agen and Provence. While in Ireland, he played his club rugby with Cork Constitution FC. The Tipperary man is also assistant coach with the Ireland senior women’s team.

Munster’s Denis Fogarty celebrates with the B&I Cup
©INPHO

As previously confirmed, Tommy O’Donnell who retired from professional rugby in 2021, has been working as an Elite Player Development officer with the province’s Academy since the start of the 2022/23 season.

Former Munster Women’s captain and Ireland international Fiona Hayes is working with the province’s senior women’s squad as assistant coach. Hayes was involved in January’s Interprovincial title success while she was also head coach of Women’s AIL side, Ballincollig RFC.

In previous season, Hayes also held the role of Head Coach of the Munster U18 Girls squad.

She was recently appointed head coach of UL Bohemian RFC in the Women’s All Ireland League.