Interview | Munster Rugby President Michael Keane

Munsterrugby.ie caught up with President Michael Keane to review the 2019/20 season and highlight some of the stand-out moments for the man from Skibbereen.

Mike was elected Munster Rugby President during last season’s Annual General Meeting of the Munster Branch at his home club, Tralee RFC.

As the first president elected from a Kerry club, Mike has enjoyed representing the province across all aspects of the professional and amateur game.

Mike reflected on the unprecedented situation we as a rugby community find ourselves in before looking back at some of his most notable experiences and memories from his time in office.

“The current climate is a difficult one for all of us, but it’s been great to see the rugby community responding so positively.

“Clubs have adapted to the challenges faced, taking on board advice and supporting those in need.”

“I have been fortunate to experience the behind-the-scenes environments of both the professional and domestic game during my time as president.

“Whether it’s a match-day in Thomond Park or Irish Independent Park, it was a great opportunity to meet the people behind the team, we all see the players but very few get the chance to see the backroom staff who get the players onto the pitch.

“The development staff on the ground, I would often be driving home from meetings in Charleville and would meet the Munster car coming back from a coaching or training session late at night.

2019-20 Bank of Ireland Munster Clubs Age-Grade Launch, Thomond Park. L/R: Munster Rugby President Mike Keane, Brendan Twohig (Bandon RFC), Aoife Corey (Ennis RFC), Bank Of Ireland, Limerick, Youth Ambassador, Aaron Gillane, Munster’s Eoin O’Connor, Jonathan Benn (Skibbereen RFC), Bank Manager, Bank of Ireland UL, Morgan Whelan, Munster Women’s Enya Breen, Erin Riordan (Abbeyfeale RFC). 

“The office staff in Cork and Limerick have been fantastic and it’s all of these people together that make up the Munster Rugby organisation.”

Mike also referenced the work undertaken by the various Munster Rugby Branch Committees throughout the season.

“Our committees spend a considerable amount of time developing structures and mapping out fixtures across our various age-grade competitions.

“It’s brilliant to see so many young people playing rugby competitively across the province on Saturdays and Sundays, and those fixtures are all organised by a very small group of people.

“The Women’s Committee have done phenomenal work and the girls’ game is now one of our fastest growing age-grade sections.

“I would also like to thank my fellow officers for their support and guidance over the many months.”

Mike went on to note the inclusion of a Munster Club Select Player (CSP) side in this season’s Clayton Hotels Munster Schools Cup competition.

“To have a club select squad involved in this year’s Schools Senior Cup was great for the competition and enhanced the development of the age-grade club game alongside the schools game.

“The change in format from the Schools Committee across the Senior and Junior Cup competitions provided more games for schools before and after Christmas, adding to the overall experience for our young players.

2019-20 Bank of Ireland Munster Senior Challenge Cup Draw, Bank of Ireland Branch, Patrick’s Street, Cork. 
L/R: Stephen Archer, President of Munster Rugby, Mike Keane, and James Cronin. 

“The positive contribution of referees across all of our age-grade structures is vital, match officiating keeps players in the game and provides opportunities to referee throughout the province and beyond.”

Kilfeacle RFC winning the All Ireland Junior Cup for the first time stands out as a memorable moment from the past season for Mike.

“They are a brilliant Junior outfit, so much pride and passion in the club.

“To see grown men cry, unashamedly at the success of the ‘club on the hill,’ proves what it meant to everyone involved.

“The voluntary work that goes on across the club, within all clubs across the province, was rewarded in that moment.”