Proud clubs boosted by old boys’ win

WITHIN minutes of the final whistle in Ireland’s Grand Slam win over Wales in Cardiff last Saturday, coach Declan Kidney was in ‘deflection’ mode.

The former Munster boss turned aside the proffered plaudits, aiming them instead at those whom he felt had got all those players to where they now are.

Everyone was included, everyone from his predecessor Eddie O’Sullivan and one of Eddie’s coaching assistants, Niall O’Donovan, back to those who give their time to coach at underage, at schools level and in the clubs.