Munster confirm coaching staff for next season

Brian Walsh, Ian Costello and Jerry Flannery join Anthony Foley’s homegrown team

Munster have confirmed Brian Walsh, Ian Costello and Jerry Flannery as the latest members of Anthony Foley's management team ahead of the 2014/15 season.

Walsh, a former Munster centre with 10 years coaching experience, has been named as Foley’s assistant, while Costello is the new skills coach and one-time Munster and Ireland hooker Flannery will serve as scrum coach.

They join technical advisor Mick O’Driscoll and team manager Niall O’Donovan on a strictly Munster coaching ticket and will “commence their roles on July 1st after signing two-year contracts that will see them remain with the province until at least June 2016”, confirmed a statement today.

"We have spent the last few months carrying out an extensive recruitment process and believe we have chosen the right candidates to take Munster forward," said Muhnster ceo Garrett Fitzgerald today. "We have a unique situation here; in not only appointing all Irish coaches, we are extremely proud to appoint coaches that have learned their trade within the province. It is a reflection of the level of coaches on offer in Irish Rugby.

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“With Anthony at the helm we look forward to seeing this group work together in achieving success for Munster Rugby.”

Walsh enjoyed success over eight seasons with Cork Consitution, where he won two All-Ireland League and Cup titles and one Bateman Cup. He also coached the Ireland club international squad in 2008 and 2009 and assisted with the Irish under-21s in 2005.

He has been working with the Munster Academy for the last two years and, according to the province, "has been instrumental in developing some of Munster's current squad, with Simon Zebo, Peter O'Mahony, Duncan Williams, Billy Holland and Stephen Archer all benefiting from his tutelage".

Costello is also promoted from within, having worked with the squad since 2011 and held roles with the under-20s, As and Academy sides. He assisted Foley in the latter two roles before leading the A side to a British and Irish Cup title in 2011.

Flannery, having retired in March 2012 after 94 for Ireland, completed a Masters in Sports Performance at UL and joined Arsenal in 2013 for work placement as strength and conditioning coach. He “will also work closely with the Academy and provincial age-grade squads”.