Kearney new Irish team manager

IRELAND added the final piece to Declan Kidney’s new backroom team yesterday with the appointment of Michael Kearney as team manager.

The Lansdowne FC man and former Leinster A and Ireland U20 manager will begin his duties alongside head coach Kidney next week at Ireland’s pre-Six Nations training camp in Limerick, having replaced Paul McNaughton, who stepped down after the World Cup.

“I’m delighted to welcome Michael into the management team and look forward to working with him,” Kidney said.