RUGBY: MICHAEL BRADLEY will seek to remain in coaching after Connacht yesterday confirmed their director of rugby will be leaving them at the end of the 2009-10 season, his seventh with the province.
Eric Elwood, Bradley’s assistant, is likely to be promoted from within, perhaps along with the well-regarded forwards coach Dan McFarland.
Bradley’s loyalty to the province in remaining with them for the last seven seasons has been greatly appreciated within the branch and the end-of-season parting, though somewhat inevitable, is also amicable.
“I am grateful for the support I have received from CEO Gerry Kelly, the coaches, office staff and particular the players since arriving here in 2003,” said Bradley last night.
“Whilst not achieving the consistency in performance that all directors of rugby crave, Connacht has had some fantastic nights, especially in the Sportsground and these are great memories.
“I would also like pay a special thanks to the Connacht supporters. They are an inspiration to our team and long may it continue.
“There is a lot of rugby to be played this season. To qualify for the Heineken Cup would be a great way to sign off,” said Bradley.
Gerry Kelly, CEO of Connacht Rugby, said Bradley had done tremendous work since coming to Connacht.
“Connacht Rugby has made huge strides since the advent of the professional era and Michael Bradley has led that progress for the past seven years.
“It has been a huge benefit to Connacht to have a coach in charge who has coached the Irish Under-20s, Ireland A and the Irish senior side for the tour of New Zealand and Australia last year.
“It is now time for a change and we are making the announcement at this time to allow us time to find a replacement and to allow Michael ample time to weigh up his own options,” said Kelly.
Eddie O’Sullivan’s name might be mentioned in dispatches, and Connacht may also consider looking abroad. Budgetary constraints could militate against that, while there will be a strong feeling that Elwood, probably Connacht’s greatest ever player, is due his turn. If not now, then it may ultimately become too late for him.
Appointed to the job in April 2003 as a staff coach within the IRFU framework, Bradley has coached the Irish Under-21s, Irish A side (whom he will take charge of for the games against Tonga and the Argentina A sides this month) and was interim coach of the full Irish side which toured New Zealand and Australia in the summer of 2008.
It is likely the union will want to keep the 46-year-old within their umbrella.
If not, then Bradley will most likely look abroad.
The Cork-born scrumhalf played 40 times for Ireland, making his debut in 1984 against Australia and was an integral part of the 1985 Triple Crown success, playing his last Test match against the All Blacks in 1995.
He also coached Cork Constitution to the AIB League title in 1999.
Succeeding Steph Nel, Bradley perhaps partly became a victim of the expectations raised in his first season with Connacht (2003-04), when they went all the way to the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup and came within a score of beating Harlequins over two legs before losing 49-45 on aggregate to the eventual champions.
They also reached the semi-finals the following year, when losing to the eventual winners Sale Sharks, and the quarter-finals in ’05-06, when losing away to Newcastle.
Last season, they reached the quarter-finals again, when losing 42-13 away to eventual champions Northampton.
In that first year, Bradley also guided Connacht to ninth place (out of 12 in the then Celtic League) and 10th of 11 in the ensuing three seasons, before finishing bottom of the table in the last two seasons.
They currently stand 10th again, albeit just a point behind Cardiff and two adrift of the Scarlets, after beating the latter last Friday.
They also lead their Amlin Challenge Cup pool after a superb comeback win away to Montpellier (budget €13.14 million, compared to Connacht’s estimated budget of €2.2 million), who beat Clermont Auvergne the following weekend.
Connacht record under Bradley
2003-2004: European Challenge Cup semi-finals, losing to Harlequins. Ninth (of 12) in Celtic League.
2004-2005: European Challenge Cup semi-finals, losing to Sale. Tenth (of 11) in Celtic League.
2005-2006: European Challenge Cup quarter-finals, losing to Newcastle. Tenth (of 11) in Celtic League.
2006-2007: Third in European Challenge Cup pool, behind Bath and Harlequins. Tenth (of 11) in Magners League.
2007-2008: Third in European Challenge Cup pool, behind Newcastle and Brive. Bottom of Magners League.
2008-2009: European Challenge Cup quarter-finals, losing to Northampton. Bottom of Magners League.
2009-2010: Lead European Challenge Cup pool. Bottom of Magners League.
