Kidney ‘blown away’ by honorary doctorate offer

IRISH rugby head coach, Declan Kidney is to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Limerick in recognition of his huge contribution to Irish sport, it was confirmed yesterday.

The ceremony will take place at the UL Concert Hall on September 22.

Mr Kidney led the Irish rugby side to a grand slam this year.

His successes as coach include a World Cup with the Ireland under 19 side and two Heineken Cup wins with Munster.

“Declan is astonishingly shy and understated so I think he was blown away by it (doctorate) and expressed wonder that we had decided to honour him in that way,” UL president Prof Don Barry said. “I think deep down he is delighted and we are looking forward to meeting him again and having a really good sporting celebration day.

“We are absolutely thrilled that Declan has accepted the honour.”