Declan Kidney
Ireland
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Full name Declan Kidney
Born October 20, 1959, Cork, Ireland
Current age 64 years 151 days
Other Coach
Profile

Declan Kidney took charge of Ireland in the summer of 2008 and went on to steer his country's 'golden generation' to an historic Six Nations Grand Slam in 2009. But since then, Kidney's position has come increasingly under the spotlight with his contract up after the 2013 championship.

Kidney succeeded Eddie O'Sullivan as Ireland coach following a hugely successful second spell with Munster, during which time he claimed two Heineken Cups.

Prior to joining Munster, Kidney took charge of the Ireland U-19s team, winning the FIRA World Cup in 1998. Kidney's reign at Munster acted as a catalyst for the club's romance with the Heineken Cup, as he guided them to two finals against Northampton and Leicester, only to come up short on both occasions. Following the defeat to Leicester, Kidney left Thomond Park in 2002 to become assistant coach to Eddie O'Sullivan in the Ireland international set-up.

Following two years with Ireland, Kidney returned to club rugby with Welsh region Newport Gwent Dragons, although he left his post before he had seen his team play a game in order to join Leinster. Kidney's time with Leinster was again short lived, and he exited his post after a matter of months amidst rumours of problems between the coach and leading players.

After his departure from Leinster, Kidney took up the challenge at Munster for a second time, leading them to cathartic Heineken Cup glory in 2006 and 2008. Following the 16-13 win over Toulouse in the 2008 final, Kidney was announced as the successor to O'Sullivan in the Ireland job. Kidney enjoyed moderate success during the 2008 autumn internationals with wins over Canada and Argentina before leading Ireland to an historic Grand Slam - and their first since 1948 - in the 2009 Six Nations.

But come the 2011 World Cup, after losing all of their warm-up matches, Kidney's side were under pressure to perform. And they did just that when they dispatched Australia in one of the shock results of the tournament. Despite hitting their straps at the right time, they ran into a resolute Wales side in the quarter-finals and were knocked out.

Come the 2012 Six Nations, Kidney opted for the tried and tested with Conor Murray the youngest member of his squad. They opened their campaign with a loss at home to Wales and never really found their form. They dropped to their lowest ever place in the IRB rankings - eighth - after their defeat to England in the final match of the campaign.

They fared little better on their tour of New Zealand in June and fell to a heavy 60-0 loss to the All Blacks.

Latest Articles
London Irish: No approach for Kidney (Dec 21, 2014) Who will replace Rob Penney at Munster? (Feb 7, 2014) McKenzie sets sights on Ireland job (Apr 4, 2013) O'Shea rules himself out of Ireland running (Apr 3, 2013) Ireland turn their back on Declan Kidney (Apr 2, 2013) Declan Kidney news and articles (192) »
Latest Photos
Feb 8, 2013
Ireland boss Declan Kidney barks out the orders
Ireland boss Declan Kidney barks out the orders
©  PA Photos
Jan 23, 2013
Ireland's Jamie Heaslip and Declan Kidney with the Six Nations silverware
Ireland's Jamie Heaslip and Declan Kidney with the Six Nations silverware
©  PA Photos
Jan 23, 2013
The Six Nations' coaches line up for the traditional photo call
The Six Nations' coaches line up for the traditional photo call
©  Getty Images
Mar 3, 2012
Ireland's Paul O'Connell and Declan Kidney share centre stage
Ireland's Paul O'Connell and Declan Kidney share centre stage
©  Getty Images
Declan Kidney rugby photos (20) »

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