Rugby coach Kidney gets UCC award

IRELAND rugby coach Declan Kidney was one of four former UCC graduates honoured last night at the university’s annual alumni achievement awards.

Kidney, who recently steered Ireland to victory over Argentina — thus securing World Cup high ranking status — was honoured alongside Dr Barry Keane, a paediatric cardiologist at Harvard Medical School; renowned composer and uilleann-piper Dr Tomás Ó Canainn, and Dick Lehane, former senior vice president of manufacturing at EMC.

The awards are given to honour graduates who have obtained extraordinary distinction and success in their chosen fields.

Kidney, who graduated from UCC in 1982 with a degree in Commerce and a HDip in Education, is being honoured by the university’s College of Business and Law for his motivational leadership and outstanding management skills, as exemplified by his unique contribution to Munster rugby.

The Bishopstown man’s list of achievements speak for themselves.

He coached the Ireland Schools’ team to Triple Crown glory in 1992, and seven years later masterminded the Irish Under-19 World Cup victory.

He also steered Dolphin into Division One of the All-Ireland League for the first time in 1997.

Kidney’s initial reign as head coach with Munster brought them to two Heineken Cup finals in 2000 and 2002 and the Celtic League final.

He then took on the role as assistant coach to the national squad for two years, working with them during the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

Following his time with Ireland, he spent the 2004/2005 season with Leinster.

The next year he was back with Munster coaching them to Heineken Cup victory in 2006 with a memorable final win over Biarritz at the Millennium Stadium.

He repeated the feat in 2008, coming through one of the toughest pools with an away quarter-final and semi-final, followed by an incredible win over French powerhouses Toulouse.

Modestly Kidney said: “I am delighted to accept this special award from my alma mater. It is very humbling and a great honour.”