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O'Driscoll made 207 appearances for Munster. Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Munster to bring former lock Mick O'Driscoll into coaching set-up next season

The 35-year-old Cork man will come on board as a ‘Technical Advisor’ to new head coach Anthony Foley.

MUNSTER HAVE ANNOUNCED that former lock Mick O’Driscoll will be part of the backroom staff under new head coach Anthony Foley next season.

O’Driscoll played alongside Foley for the province, making 207 appearances before retiring at the end of the 2011/12 season. The Cork native also had a successful two-year stint with Perpignan in France, as well as winning 23 caps for Ireland.

The 35-year-old has remained involved in rugby in a coaching capacity with Presentation Brothers College [PBC] and Cork Con since retiring from playing, while Munster say he has also “pursued a number of successful business opportunities.”

O’Driscoll will join Munster as a Technical Advisor on a two-year contract, while his role will also include responsibility for the province’s ‘A’ squad.

I am really looking forward to working with Anthony, Niall [O'Donovan] and the team again,” says O’Driscoll. “I was immersed in the Munster way for over a decade, playing at the top level in Ireland and France, and I believe I can call on that wealth of experience in this new role.”

Munster say head coach-to-be Foley remains “in the process of identifying his back-room team for next season,” so further announcements are to be expected.

With backs coach Simon Mannix leaving Ireland at the end of the current campaign, a replacement in that role looks important for Munster’s on-pitch prospects.

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16 Comments
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    Mute Dennis Laffey
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    Apr 10th 2014, 1:30 PM

    This stinks of “Jobs for the Boys” to b honest. Has Micko done much at underage/schools/club level (genuine question)?

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    Mute Deaglain Mhac Fhinn
    Favourite Deaglain Mhac Fhinn
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    Apr 10th 2014, 1:38 PM

    Denis.List’s his experience right there in the article. Leinster have made a similar appointment with Cullen next season

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    Mute Keano
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    Apr 10th 2014, 2:23 PM

    And Cullen will be working with the Senior squad, Micko is looking after the A side.

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    Mute Deaglain Mhac Fhinn
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    Apr 10th 2014, 1:13 PM

    Micko hopefully can pass on his great technical knowledge especially lineout work. As you say thou the back’s coach appointment is the crucial one

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    Mute Tensing Norgay
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    Apr 12th 2014, 7:59 AM

    With POC still in situ ,it’s really hard to see what MOD could possibly bring after a stint coaching at schools level. This smacks of a very Munster job for one of the boys

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    Mute ciaran burke
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    Apr 10th 2014, 1:17 PM

    Not a fan of players that r just retired nd then fall in coaching same players….can cloud decisions., for example is mick goin to recommend a player that he was great friends with to be dropped if his form is poor….???

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    Mute Deaglain Mhac Fhinn
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    Apr 10th 2014, 1:44 PM

    He is retired 2 seasons at this stage. A big turnover of the player’s at munster since then.

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    Mute Deaglain Mhac Fhinn
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    Apr 10th 2014, 1:44 PM

    He is retired 2 seasons at this stage. A big turnover of the player’s at munster since then.

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    Mute ciaran burke
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    Apr 10th 2014, 5:09 PM

    Yea retired two years but not too many guys he wouldnt have trained or played with.It could be a great appointment but personally I wouldnt agree.

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    Mute John B. Reid
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    Apr 10th 2014, 4:07 PM

    The impressive Rob Penney was shafted by the Munster Rugby board in order to make way for their good old boy, Anthony Foley, to become head coach; who in turn is intent on employing his good old boys instead of seeking the direct input of those with an enlightened, outside perspective. Group-think will now prevail.

    Munster will be the big loser because Foley won’t have the same progressive-minded outlook and plan that Penney has. Munster will regress into their shell under Anthony Foley, and the slack will be compensated for by utter blarney from Foley and the media.

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
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    Apr 10th 2014, 4:50 PM

    As a Leinster fan I hope your wrong.
    If insider knowledge points to foley knowing something that mod can bring then there’s nothing wrong with appointing the right man for the job. If he’s giving his old pal a leg up it will fall apart along with his own career.
    I don’t believe Anthony foley wants to throw away his carreer to give his mate a job.

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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    Apr 10th 2014, 5:58 PM

    Penney wasnt shafted.

    Micko is looking after the a’s. Not first team. Might have little to do with the seniors.

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    Mute Macus Mc Mahon
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    Apr 10th 2014, 3:06 PM

    Must be a pisser for Penny to see next years coaching ticket been lined up , could this be announced by Munster after Pennys gone ..

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    Mute Peter Sullivan
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    Apr 10th 2014, 3:27 PM

    They let the cat out of the bag early enough this year bout him moving. Why should nexus years coaching ticket be any different? I’m sure he doesn’t hold a grudge.

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    Mute Noel Dunbar
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    Apr 10th 2014, 9:28 PM

    Hope I’m wrong but has a ” jobs for the boys” ring to it

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    Mute Eileesh Buckley
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    Apr 11th 2014, 1:34 PM

    Micko being linked to the A squad hints fairly strongly that Ian costello could be the backs coach for the seniors.

    this time last year there was howls about the fact that not one province had a native head-coach, now there’s howls when a native is appointed head coach & opts to select another native to be part of his coaching team?
    Micko was known as a top-notch lineout analyst in his playing days, he had a very large part to play in the strength of the munster lineout in the past as he analysed the opposition lineouts & ran those patterns in training.

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