Link 29/08/2007 The Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has today extended the contract of national coach of Eddie O'Sullivan until 2012. The move will be seen as a huge vote of confidence for O'Sullivan from the hierarchy of Irish rugby ahead of the upcoming World Cup. "I am deeply honoured that the Appointments Committee of the IRFU should see fit to give me a further extension in my role as National Coach at this time," said Eddie O'Sullivan. "I see it as a timely vote of confidence in me and my coaching staff at a critical point when we are about to embark on our World Cup challenge. Another four years at the helm further helps me to plan a strategy for the National squad into the long term future and that is vital if we are to achieve all our shared ambitions for Irish rugby." O'Sullivan was initially appointment in November 2001 for the period to the conclusion of the Six Nations 2004, and then in September 2003 for a four-year period to include Rugby World Cup 2007 and the 2008 Six Nations Championship. The IRFU has now invited O'Sullivan to continue in the role for another four years cycle, encompassing Rugby World Cup 2011 and the Six Nations Championship of 2012. "We are delighted to come to agreement with Eddie O'Sullivan that he should continue as National Coach for a further four-year period," said Philip Browne, chief executive of the IRFU. "As in pre World Cup 2003, we believe today's announcement is a timely indication of our faith and confidence in the national coach and his playing squad as they are in final preparations for the upcoming World Cup in France. We wish him, his management team and playing squad every success."
Its always a good confidence boost for any manager to get a new contract just before a major tournament.I think Eddie O'Sullivan has a six nations in him and I am glad he will be giving more opportunities at cracking it.
Shocking stuff. No matter how well we do (or badly) there are no ramifications for O'Sullivan. Contracts should be handed out post World Cups.
Hi, No doubt O sullivan has brought ireland on a lot. He has his detractors ( those who claim he has the best bunch of players ever) but I think he is a phenomenal coach. I think France have a much better squad than we do and the fact we have been so competetive with them is tribute to the organisation of the team. Having said that we need to build for the future and O sullivan is the man to lead us. I am one of the people very concerned about our prospects or lack of them in this world cup. The next 6 nations should be about team building and stabillity in that time is crucial. We know O sullivan has the track record to guide us, so showing due faith in his ability is just reward. To be critical if I may, I hope he shows a greater willingness to experiment and concentrate less on his wins ratio. While stats are important I cant help but feel France blooded 2 teams in the 6 nations and still won. We have a good 1st 15 and thats it. We need to concentrate on expanding strength in depth. By the way anyone know how George Hook took the news. Id say he is apoplectic
I agree, no point in judging the man over a few weeks - he's done good for us over the past few years and brought us one a fair bit. I doubt very much we'll win this tournament as I think its come a year too late for this crop of players, but fully support O'Sullivan for whats he's done so far and looking forward to another 5 years of it.
I think he has done a good job. If Ireland have a disastorous world cup (which hopefully they wont) It will be interesting to see what the public consensus will be. I do think it would have been more prudent to wait until after the world cup though.
The IRFU set targets for Irish rugby. Win the Heineken Cup - achieved Win the 6 Nations - not achieved Semi's of the World Cup - to be decided Ergo by their own standards the programme is incomplete. There should have been no contract. That said they were pertified EOS was gonna run off to the lions in '09 and wanted him tied down, with the assurances he can have time off for that job should he get it. Plus the only viable Irish alternative (foreign coaches having been a disaster till now) is Declan Kidney and Drico won't have that so....
Absolute shocking decision, No team in the world would give their head coach a contract extention before a major tournament. Eddie has unprecendeted control over the Irish players & team, and he has failed to achieve
I'm sorry, but what exactly has he failed to achieve? I think a little perspective on Ireland's position in the world order of rugby and perhaps sport in general should apply. To take the most laughable recent example think back to the cricket, world beaters after Pakistan and an 'embarassment' in subsequent matches. This is a very small island with a small pool of participating athletes who are further sub divided by allegience to their chosen sport. We have a dreadful habit of over egging when we get a taste of success, we get a way ahead of ourselves in terms of our expectations then we start having a go when those self inflated expectations aren't met. Eddie O'Sullivan has done a terrific job with the Irish squad over the last few years, providing us with success and a number of great performances. As it happens I don't think a contract should be awarded on the eve of a major tournament but not for the reasons argued in this thread. It smacks of 'politicking' and PR which are about the worst reasons for doing anything in any walk of life but that's just the cynic in me talking....
I think it was a bit premature giving him a contract before the World Cup. Yes he has improved Ireland over the last few years but he hasnt exactly won anything ? No 6 Nations and dont say he was won the "Triple Crown" thats a cop out and even the players realise that. The truth is he should have won a 6 Nations by now,he has one of the best backlines in the world and a solid backrow and POC. The 6 Nations has not exactly been that strong over the last few years with the other teams chopping and changing and players retiring,while Ireland had a fairly settled team - we should have won a 6 Nations by now though. For him to achieve anything at the World Cup, Ireland have to get past our usual spot (the q-final) and make the semis or final. If he cant achieve that, what exactly has he achieved that previous Ireland coaches havent ? he hasnt won a 6 nations or got past the q-final in the World Cup so on success is he any better than them ? In fairness he has improved Ireland overall and they have had some great wins but he has had better players. Great wins are fine but we want to win something,maybe he is like Gerard Houllier and taken us as far as he can. On the flip side, who do you get in instead of him ? Michael Bradley - No Thanks Mark McCall - No Thanks Declan Kidney - Alot of players wouldnt mind but maybe O'Driscoll or other Leinster players MIGHT,but possibly not.Has won a Heineken Cup and U.19 World Cup and has been assistant coach for Ireland before. Or is Niall O'Donovan interested or good enough as a head coach ? Or else we go foreign - which is too much hassle and will create many problems. Either way i think we should have waited till after the World Cup whats a few weeks,cant seem him running off.
Perhaps we could have won the six nations or a grand slam over the past few years but I think there is a general underestimation of just how difficult that is to do. Granted the quality hasn't been as strong as it might once have been across the board but it should be borne in mind that for most of the period England we're World Champions, France are always strong and a couple of years ago Wales managed to play some of the best rugby ever seen in the competition. Last year we 'failed' by the bounce of a ball against France at Croker which was devastating as it probably was our best chance given the location of the matches. It's also to be remembered how thin the cover in our squad really is, we have maybe 6 first choice who would get into any team with another 4 or so who are very high quality. This is an excellent spine for a team but we are always at the mercy of injuries in key positions. This is why both New Zealand and France have been so obsessed with developing what are almost two first teams. Anyway, with luck in running and injuries we have chances to get to the semi but we will need the Rugby gods to smile on us. Good luck to EO'S and the lads.
I think people are being too unrealistic on this thread. I remember celebrating a 21-21 draw in the cardiff arms park because it meant we avoided a back to back whitewash, though we still ended up with the wooden spoon. England were world champions, France are the 4 th best team in the world and scotland and italy have improved. Wales when they get going are a class act, Jenkins just hasnt been able to get the best out in them. Ireland have overachieved in the past 5 years and we have gotten greedy. Our backline is good, but frances is better (O driscoll v jerzion.....its 50-50). Their scrum is better. Eddie has worked wonders and I for one think it is good that the IRFU emphasise their support before the tournament as it stabilises the camp. Plus after the recent glitch and dip in form a lot of people are already calling for his head. Eddie has maintained harmony in the camp. Kidney would be next in line I think, but as soon as he would be in charge I suspect it would widen the munster-leinster divide...the last thing a small squad of our players can afford. I really hope for Eddies sake we get out of the group. Realistically I think a 1/4 final appearance would be satisfactory. I am a worried man...the argies scare me.