Manager role appeals to Galwey

RUGBY:Mick Galwey remains a viable candidate for the new Ireland manager's role. The Shannon RFC coach expressed an interest in the position, when asked, at the Supervalu Kids In Action programme launch in Croke Park yesterday.

"Who wouldn't want to be involved with an Irish team at some level?" said Galwey. "I have been involved in rugby all my life from playing to coaching and I have done a bit of managing on the amateur side.

"Everybody involved in rugby, at any level, always wants to better themselves. I would love to be involved with Ireland in some shape or form going forward."

Galwey has been Shannon head coach for the past three seasons, winning the AIL twice, and also fattened up his CV as part of the Ireland club international management team. Besides touring New Zealand with the Lions in 1993, he won 41 Irish caps and captained Munster to European Cup finals in 2000 and 2002.

Not yet approached by the IRFU, Galwey was conscious not to let speculation impinge upon his club coaching. "That's something I would have to think about. I am committed to Shannon this year. We have a lot of young players coming through and that's the future of the game. The club game is very important and that's something I am very aware of."

It is possible he would be able to keep both jobs. Either way, no change is expected to the Ireland set-up until after the Six Nations, which, if the World Cup form persists, could result in a complete overhaul of the current coaching staff. The IRFU are seeking a manager who fits the recommendations of the post-World Cup commissioned Genesis report: "A person, with international rugby experience, as part of the management team, to play a support role for the national coach."

Asked what attributes are required for the job, Galwey said: "Someone who has been around the international game, who knows the pressures players are under on international weekends. It's a livelihood now and players take it very personally when they lose games so it would be about getting some balance.

"Brian O'Brien was there before and he did a great job. Eddie has kind of taken on that role by himself but, because there is so much to do, the Genesis report has said they need a new manager and a new backs coach to give Eddie more time to do what he does best, which is manage the team."

Ger Carmody's appointment in place of O'Brien transformed the manager's job into a logistics brief with O'Sullivan taking on greater responsibility - something which also occurred when Declan Kidney went as assistant coach after the 2003 World Cup.

O'Sullivan then became the backline coach, another responsibility he is being relieved of, although he said recently he would pick his own replacement.

Former Munster coach and Leinster assistant coach Alan Gaffney emerged over the weekend as the favourite.

"What I saw of Alan in Munster would suggest that his strengths would be his coaching," added Galwey. "He has great vision, particularly in back play. Maybe it's his Australian roots but he just wants to keep the ball alive and play rugby. I was lucky enough to be involved with him in my last year as a player. He would be a superb backs coach and I would be delighted to see someone like him involved."