THE COACH of the Irish Grand Slam rugby team, Declan Kidney, is to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Limerick in recognition of his contribution to sport in Ireland over many years.
UL president Prof Don Barry said Kidney’s management style was what “sets him apart as one of Ireland’s most successful team managers”.
“His unique approach empowers his players and involves supporters with his inclusive attitude and his commitment towards every member of the team and the support team,” he said.
“This style of leadership has continually produced outstanding results for Declan and is distinctive in the sporting world,” he said.
As well as being Munster team head coach from 2000 to 2002, Kidney also held positions coaching the Ireland under 19s team, which won the FIRA (Fédération Internationale de Rugby Amateur) World Cup in 1998, after which he spent a brief period as assistant coach to the Irish rugby team.
He rejoined Munster as their coach in 2005, leading the team to a Heineken Cup win that year.
Kidney won the 2006 Philips Sports Manager of the Year award. On May 24th, 2008, he coached the Munster squad to victory in the Heineken Cup once again.
A former mathematics teacher in Cork, he was appointed as Ireland coach in July 2008.
He went on to coach the Irish team to win the Grand Slam and Triple Crown in Cardiff on March 21st, 2009, in his first year in the job.