All aboard for succession stakesTHE SILLY SEASON is upon us. The hope is it doesn't drag on as long as the FAI search for a new football manager. Over the weekend the Sunday papers had their first go at ruling in/out a number of candidates to succeed Eddie O'Sullivan. The bookies have reacted accordingly with the odds fluctuating all over the place.
The early favourite, Pat Howard, has been followed out of the running by Western Force and former All Black coach John Mitchell. Both did, of course, add a "never-say-never" rider. A media campaign would prove more damaging to both coaches' chances anyway.
The most amusing name mentioned was Toulouse head coach Guy Noves. Does that mean a dream-team ticket with Trevor Brennan doubling up as forwards coach and interpreter (the Leixlip native is running the Toulouse under-18s)? Not in the lifetime of the current IRFU blazers, we suspect.
Declan Kidney is now the leading candidate but this would force a shake up of the provincial coaching set-ups. No harm in that either. Michael Bradley would be considered for Munster, as would O'Sullivan's assistant, Niall O'Donovan. Ireland Under-20s coach Eric Elwood would be tipped to step up in Connacht if Bradley departs.
Clarification on Alan Gaffney's position in Leinster was provided: technical adviser. This indicates he could be taking sessions with Leinster, Saracens and the Ireland backline next season. What happens if Leinster draw Saracens in the Heineken European Cup?
Heyneke Meyer is the latest name to be reportedly sounded out by IRFU. The South African is available despite guiding the Bulls to Super 14 glory in 2007. He was controversially overlooked for the Springboks job.
Coach of Worcester coach and once at the helm in Leinster, Mike Ruddock confirmed on Saturday he had not been approached.
Another theory doing the rounds is a provisional coaching set-up (possibly Kidney and O'Donovan) will be in place for the Barbarians match on May 27th and the subsequent tour of New Zealand and Australia. The bookies won't pay out on such a scenario. Then we do enter the farcical FAI territory.
Cup final timing does club game no favours
HERE'S A GOOD ONE: the IRFU claim they are not suffocating club rugby by prioritising the professional game. Scheduling the AIB Cup final on April 12th hardly supports this assertion.
The match is between Blackrock and the winners of Shannon v Galwegians.
The chances are it will be Shannon, thus setting up a Leinster v Munster clash in the neutral setting of Dubarry Park, Athlone and possibly live on RTÉ. Kick-off is 3.30pm.
Sounds like the ideal platform for the club game?
Only problem is the real Leinster v Munster fixture takes place on the same day in the RDS Showgrounds at 6.30pm.
Live on Setanta Sports.
This fixture has been set in stone for months, while the union only revealed the cup final date on March 11th.
With Munster 11 points adrift of Magners League leaders Leinster, albeit with a game in hand, the result will surely influence the final standings.
In short, it's prime-time viewing and will ruin any chance of a decent turn-out in Athlone.
It'll also significantly reduce the media coverage.
Go figure the rationale behind that decision.
Quotes of the week
"IF HE EVER changes his mind all he has to do is lift the telephone. I'd have him back in a minute."
- Michael Cheika makes it clear he disagreed with Keith Gleeson's decision to follow Denis Hickie into early retirement, aged just 31.
"There are a myriad of issues in Irish rugby that will not be resolved by the removal of one man. We have a narrow playing base that is beginning to be undermined by the influx of foreigners in to the provinces.
"The agendas of the provinces are not entirely compatible with those of Ireland, and it is difficult for them to be so. We are in desperate need of a revamped All-Ireland League to be just below provincial level.
"Our best young talent need a canvas for their skills; they cannot be allowed to waste away on the benches or second teams of the provinces just because their teams fear they may fail."
- Keith Wood not convinced Eddie O'Sullivan's resignation will solve all.
