Girvan Dempsey to take full-time role as Leinster backs coach

Former Ireland fullback Girvan Dempsey has been confirmed as Leinster's backs coach until the end of the 2016/17 season as part of Leo Cullen's coaching team.

Skills and kicking coach Richie Murphy will move on to a full-time role with Ireland, a role he has been fulfilling on a part-time basis.

Dempsey has been Leinster Academy manager since November 2012 and led the province's 'A' side to back to back B&I cup successes. Although there was speculation that Dempsey would combine both roles, it has now been decided that he will be the full-time backs coach.

The position of Academy coach will be advertised, with elite player development officers Hugh Hogan and Shaun Berne taking temporary charge.

In welcoming the appointment of Dempsey, head coach Cullen said: “Girvan had an amazingly successful career as a player with both Leinster and Ireland. Since his retirement in 2010 from playing Girvan has played a vital role in developing much of the talent that you see today with his work as elite player development officer and more recently as Academy manager and Leinster A team coach.”

Cullen also praised Murphy for his long contribution to the province as a player and a coach.

“Richie is a Leinster man through and through. He has played a very important role in all of Leinster’s success over the last few seasons. He has worked incredibly hard in driving standards and helping in the development of our players. We all wish Richie the very best in the short term with Ireland at the World Cup and in to the future as he takes on a full time role with the national team.”