Galwey steps down as Shannon’s head coach

FORMER Munster and Ireland international Mick Galwey has stepped down as Shannon head coach after a successful four-year reign at the Limerick club.

However, the former Munster captain, who led his province to two Heineken Cup finals in 2000 and 2002, will stay active in the club from the next season.

His successor has yet to be named but Geoff Moylan, who coached Shannon to AIL titles in 2002 and 2004, is one of the favourites to take over from ‘Gaillimh’.

He presided over Shannon’s three-in-a-row, with Galwey at the helm for the 2005 and 06 victories, while this season they annexed the AIB Cup for the first time. He also masterminded three ODM Munster Senior Cup successes.

The Currow native won four AIL titles in a row as a Shannon player between 1995 and 1998 and as head coach was responsible for nurturing some of Munster’s finest talent. Jerry Flannery emerged from the shadows, while Ian Dowling was persuaded to change his allegiances from rugby league side Kilkenny Wildcats and join Shannon.

Galwey’s intentions remain to be seen. He missed out on becoming Ireland manager but there is a strong possibility that he may have a role in the Munster coaching set-up from next season.