Kidney changes tack with new UCC role

The end of an era was confirmed yesterday with the announcement that Declan Kidney has been appointed as director of sport and physical activity at University College Cork.

The news, while not unexpected, means that for the first time since 1998 the Irish professional game will have to get by without the imprint of a man who delivered two Heineken Cups and a Grand Slam and much more besides.

Kidney enjoyed two spells with Munster, a brief three-month interlude at Newport Gwent Dragons and a season at Leinster, as well as a four-year term as assistant to Eddie O’Sullivan with Ireland, before assuming the head coach role with the national side in 2009.