Kidney in line for honorary doctorate from UL

GRAND slam-winning Ireland rugby coach Declan Kidney is about to line out for an honorary doctorate.

The Corkman will receive the award from the University of Limerick (UL) in recognition of his huge contribution to sport in Ireland over several years.

A spokesperson for UL said the timing of the ceremony has not yet been decided.

He may receive the award as part of UL’s August conferrings but a stand alone ceremony is also being considered, she said.

Kidney will join such luminaries as former president Mary Robinson, John Hume and Kilkenny GAA legend Eddie Keher who have also received honorary doctorates from UL.

The former Munster coach has a career full of major successes.

In 1998 he coached the Ireland Under-19 team which won the FIRA World Cup and he was Munster’s head coach from 2000 to 2002.

He then spent a brief period as assistant coach to the Irish rugby team before rejoining the Munster team as coach in 2005, leading them to a Heineken Cup win that year.

Kidney went on to win the 2006 Philips Sports Manager of the Year award and on May 24, 2008, he brought the Munster squad to victory in the Heineken Cup again.

He was appointed as Ireland coach in July 2008, leading them to the Grand Slam and Triple Crown in Cardiff last month.

UL President Professor Don Barry said Kidney’s management style sets him apart as one of Ireland’s most successful team managers.

“His unique approach empowers his players and involves supporters with his inclusive attitude and his commitment towards every member of the team and the support team,” he said.

“This style of leadership has continually produced outstanding results for Declan and is distinctive in the sporting world.”

Kidney played rugby for UCC and later for Dolphin RFC. He trained as a maths teacher and taught at Presentation Brothers College, Cork and later became the school’s career guidance teacher.

He took on the role of rugby coach at the school, where he had success with the junior and senior sides.

Meanwhile, the initial public allocation of 5,000 tickets for the Munster versus Leinster Heineken Cup semi-final sold out within 30 minutes.

Munster and Leinster will receive an allocation of approximately 30,000 tickets each which they will distribute through their normal channels.

Tickets are priced at €25 for terrace tickets and €45 for stand tickets.