Anthony Foley is Munster’s new head coach

STARTING from July 1, 2014 Anthony Foley will be Munster’s new head coach. He has agreed terms with the IRFU on a two-year contract with an option on a third year on an agreed date in 2016.”It is important that we have given clarity on the situation so that we can concentrate on getting on with getting the maximum out of this season and hopefully land a bit of silverware,” Munster CEO Garrett Fitzgerald said in Limerick today.

“We did not need to interview anybody else and we knew that he had attracted interest elsewhere so Anthony’s appointment gives continuity to the set-up within Munster Rugby.”

The CEO added that the appointment of the new coach is a natural progression for the Foley family: “When he was playing with St Munchin’s College I think he was driving the bus as well. Since he was out of nappies all he wanted to do was to win rugby matches and he has worked hard for this job. There are no other appointments at present. We will meed in the down period of the season and until then everything is parked for the moment.”

Foley has been the peoples’ choice since Penney announced that he would not be taking up an offer of a third year with the province. Axle has won almost every award in rugby on this island after following in the footsteps of his father, Brendan, who played with local club St Mary’s RFC when they won their only Munster Junior Cup title in 1968. Brendan went on to become one of the best second-rows to wear the Shannon jersey as well as starring with Munster and Ireland.