Kidd to coach team to 1999

AS anticipated the IRFU executive committee last night reappointed the Ireland manager Pat Whelan and the coach Murray Kidd. And in doing so, they gave both a vote of confidence up to and including the World Cup in 1999.

While the position of manager is honorary, the coaching position is a paid post and it was announced that Kidd's appointment up to 1999 is "subject to the usual contractual agreement." But that qualification is no more than standard procedure for a paid official.

While the managers of most of the other countries are now paid, Whelan, a building contractor, has made it clear that he does not wish to be paid in his capacity as manager and would not be interested in occupying the position as a paid official. He has consistently said he does not "want to make money from involvement in rugby."

The IRFU has also reappointed the three outgoing selectors, Donal Lenihan, Frank Sowman and Joe Miles. But their appointments do not run to the next World Cup - they are for next season.

There has been discussion about reducing the number of selectors from five to three but that would require a change to the laws of the IRFU. Those laws are currently being rewritten to take account of the changes made by the International Board earlier this season. They will have to be ratified by a special general meeting of the council of the IRFU. The decision to reappoint the selectors for a 12 month period is in compliance with the laws ads they stand.

The decision to reappoint both manager and coach gives them the chance to prepare for the World Cup. Ireland will be involved in a qualifying competition for that in November 1998.

Whelan took over as manager from Noel Murphy the end of the World Cup in South Africa last June. He has been a member of the selection committee since 1992-93. He took over the coaching of the Ireland forwards prior to the International Championship last season when Willie Anderson stood down from that position.

Kidd was appointed coach last October after the appointment was deferred when the game went professional following the decision of the International Board at the end of August and provision was made for the appointment of a paid coach. He is the first professional coach appointed by the IRFU and, a native of new Zealand, the first foreigner to fill the Ireland coaching position.

Ireland played six internationals under Kidd this season. They defeated Fiji, the US and Wales and lost to England, France and Scotland.

The appointments that were ratified yesterday came after the recommendations of the IRFU election sub committee of Eddie Coleman (Chairman), Syd Millar, the IRFU president and Tom Kiernan.