Kidney honoured for his coaching

Munster coach Declan Kidney will attend an awards ceremony in Dublin prior to flying out with his provincial charges to London. Kidney will be in the Berkeley Court Hotel tonight to accept the Tom Rooney Memorial Award at the Guinness-sponsored Rugby Writers of Ireland awards function.

The Tom Rooney Award is given to a person who has made an exceptional contribution to Irish rugby. Kidney certainly qualifies in that respect, having coached teams to win Triple Crowns at both Ireland Schools and Ireland A levels, as well as the FIRA Under-19 World Championship in 1998, and guiding Munster to back to back interprovincial titles and Saturday's European Cup Final.

Blackrock College, Leinster and Ireland centre Brian O'Driscoll will receive the Player of the Year award for his magnificent season, the highlight of which was his hat-trick of tries in the Six Nations Championship victory over France at the Stade de France, the first time Ireland had won in Paris for 28 years.

The Munster team will also receive a special award for their outstanding season while St Mary's College, winners of the AIL Division One title, will be honoured as Team of the Year.

Brian Brown, National sponsorship manager, Guinness Ireland Group, and Fred Cogley, chairman-elect of the Rugby Writers of Ireland, will present the awards.

Tim Horan said he had no regrets sacrificing his dream of 100 Test caps and an appearance against the Lions to forge his new career with English Premiership club Saracens, after arriving in London yesterday. Horan, the centre whose inspirational performances guided Australia to World Cup success last year, is determined to leave a positive impression on English rugby.

"I've made the decision that it is better to retire a year early from the international front than a year late. It was a very difficult choice but I know I've decided on the right path," said Horan.

"Too many players hang on just that bit too long. I don't want to carry on for another year just to play against the Lions or achieve a century of Tests.

"I got to sit on the bench for all three Tests in the 1993 Lions Tour. I didn't get on the field but I've still got the jersey on my wall.

"I've achieved quite a bit during my international career and I don't have any regrets about not playing against the Lions.