Prendergast Confirms Two Year Contract Extension With Young Munster

Young Munster RFC have confirmed that Mike Prendergast will be at the helm for the next two years following his successful first two seasons as Director of Rugby with the Limerick based club.

In his first season in charge former Munster player, Prendergast, guided Young Munster to the Charity Cup, Munster Senior Cup and promotion to the top flight of Division 1A in the All Ireland League.

This season Munsters’ have retained the Charity Cup, and on Sunday are looking forward to playing in the Ulster Bank League semi-final at Temple Hill against Cork Constitution.

Speaking this week ahead of the big game, Prendergast commented, “I’m delighted that Young Munster has offered me another two years and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the club. It’s a club that’s on the rise at the moment, both on and off the pitch. This year we launched a state-of-the-art gymnasium and all-weather pitch adding to our existing facilities. Also, on the pitch, I’m working with a core group of players who time and again have stepped up to the plate and worked extremely hard throughout the season. The same is to be said of all the teams in Young Munster, supported by a strong committee in the background which is vital.”

Prendergast continued, “Obviously all our focus at the moment is towards Sunday, going to Cork to play against a strong Con' team who are the reigning champions, but we’re going down with nothing to lose and everything to play for. We can be confident with our recent performances but will have to work very hard to grind out a win.”

As player/coach Prendergast's role changed somewhat at the start of this season when he tore his cruciate ligament and was forced to spend the current season on the sideline in his coaching capacity. Thankfully this hasn’t hindered the side’s success in the AIL.

Speaking on Prendergast’s contract extension, Club President Derek Tobin said, “We are delighted that Mike has agreed to extend his contract. It is great for the club that we can have this continuity going into the next couple of seasons. He is great coach and leader, and has had huge success with Young Munster over the last two seasons. Certainly an up-and-coming coach in terms of Irish rugby and a guy who has gained a wealth of experience as a player with Munster, Gloucester and Bourgoin, and has brought all that professional experience into his coaching role.”

Young Munster take on Cork Constitution in the Ulster Bank League this Sunday, April 17 at 2.35pm at Temple Hill, Cork, in the All-Ireland League Semi-Final.