Kidney wins Manager of the Year award

DECLAN KIDNEY was presented with the Philips Manager of the Year award yesterday, capping an unforgettable year for Munster rugby.

Kidney was always odds on to receive the award after guiding Munster to the promised land of Heineken Cup glory last May, especially as the former Irish assistant coach had won two of the 12 monthly awards for the months of April and May.

There was a heavy Cork tinge to the whole day, in fact. Seven coaches from the county, including John Allen, Mary Collins and Eddie O’Sullivan, were in the hunt for the prize after winning monthly awards since last December.