Foley ready to take Munster reins, reckons Quinlan

Former Ireland and Munster flanker Alan Quinlan believes Anthony Foley has the credentials to be given a shot at the provincial coaching job.

Speaking in Kinsale last night to launch the Heineken Kinsale Sevens, Quinlan spoke about the ongoing selection process to find a successor to TonyMcGahan, who leaves for Australia at the end of the season.

“There were a number of candidates interviewed and it’s no secret that Anthony is one of those brought into the next level; from what I’m hearing it’s probably going to be him, with the word being there’s a possibility of Tana Umaga (New Zealand) coming in on the ticket too. I would imagine Anthony will be made head coach with somebody else as his assistant and I suppose that could also be somebody other than Umaga, I don’t know.

“I’ve stayed out of it and I don’t want to be sticking my nose in but I think Axel understands Munster very well; he has been with them for so long, he’s a legend in the game and has done very well as a coach.

“He would have learned a lot too from Tony McGahan how the whole programme is run, what’s required; not only are you over the senior team, you’re over academies and the whole development of young guys. You’ve got to manage a lot of staff, it’s a big job but I’m sure he has learned a lot over the last couple of years, and yes, he would be my pick. Whoever else is involved is another issue of course.”

Quinlan also paid tribute to Heineken and Kinsale Rugby Club for their organisation of the Sevens tournament, which celebrates a 30th anniversaryon the May Bank Holiday weekend (May 5 and 6).

Although Quinlan’s brush with Sevens rugby as a player was minimal, he did attend Kinsale a decade ago as a spectator and he is just back from a trip to the Hong Kong Sevens.

Featuring players from New Zealand, Samoa, Fiji and from throughout Europe, this year’s tournament celebrates the spirit of rugby with the usual festival atmosphere and it is expected to attract up to 10,000 people to the town over the weekend.

Heineken’s Events and Sponsorship Manager, Pat Maher, said: “Alongside our business partners in Kinsale and surrounding areas, we are proud of the tournament’s success and continued energy. It shows the commitment of Kinsale RFC and the open-minded thinking over the decades that has sustained the status and popularity of the event.”

The event generates over €5 million in the local economy and is staffed entirely by volunteers. Full details of accommodation and travel can be had at:

* www.kinsalesevens.com