Munster Rugby v Cardiff Blues Match Programme

NEW HEAD COACHES ANNOUNCED
Former UL Bohs, Munster and Ireland team mates Fiona Hayes and Niamh Briggs will find
themselves on opposite sides this season after their appointments last week as Head Coaches of
Ballincollig RFC and UL Bohemian RFC respectively.
Fiona joins Ballincollig after a successful tenure
at UL Bohemans both as a player and a coach,
playing at the top level for over a decade before
becoming Head Coach of UL Bohemians and
the Munster U18s. She joins a club with big
ambitions as they look to make their debut in the
Energia All Ireland League and establish an Elite
Centre of Excellence in Cork.
Speaking on her appointment, Fiona said:
“I am excited about the new journey I am about
to embark on with both the players and the club.
We have a chance to build a legacy for women’s
rugby in Cork and create that high-performance
environment where female players can enjoy the
game while competing at the highest level. I will
use my experience and knowledge of the game I
love to help players in their development both on
and off the pitch.”
Cathal Sheridan, UL Bohemian RFC Director of
Rugby, said:
“We’re thrilled that Niamh has accepted our offer
to become Head Coach. Niamh is a household
name in Irish sport, she has one of the best rugby
brains around, and we are very fortunate to have
her overseeing the next generation of players
through the club. Obviously, her experience on
and off the pitch at the pinnacle of Irish Rugby
over the last decade speaks for itself, but the
most exciting part for us is her vision on where
she wants to bring us to in the next few years.
Earlier this week, Kerry Rugby women's team
announced that former international Marie
Louise Reilly will join their coaching team. Maz
won 54 Irish caps and was a team mate of Briggs
and Hayes.
Fiona Hayes
UL Bohemian RFC
announced last week
that Niamh Briggs will
take the helm at UL
Bohemians, the club
she joined in 2009.
The former Grand
Slam winner and
Irish captain brings a
wealth of experience
on the field as a player,
and in more recent
years as part of the
coaching team at UL
Bohemian RFC and
with the Munster U18
squad.
NIamh Briggs
MUNSTER v CARDIFF BLUES | 28.05.21 | THOMOND PARK
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