Ireland Coaches Night A Huge Success
Over 500 Patrons Club Members and their guests gathered in the Aviva Stadium recently for ‘An Evening with the Ireland Coaching Team’. The night proved to be a huge success and a perfect way to kick off 2012.
We were joined by Declan Kidney and assistant coaches Les Kiss and Mark Tainton for a questions and answers session on the day the Ireland RBS 6 Nations squad was named.
It proved to be a most enjoyable evening with the coaches answering a range of questions from the practicalities of picking a team to their philosophy on coaching.
Declan was very forthright and answered questions ranging from how we beat Wales to player succession. He also highlighted some interesting facts about the small thigs that change games – a drop goal for the Grand Slam or a drop goal for a semi-final? The overhead camera wire catching a ball in flight and a few more.
Les and Mark outlined their expanded roles as assistant coaches and were very interesting in addressing some fo the more technical questions about defence/attack and kicking styles and percentages.
The questions from the floor also proved entertaining with Declan asking one young guest not to go into journalism until after he had finished coaching!
The feedback about the evening was excellent with people commenting on how nice it was to hear Declan and the lads unfiltered by the media.
The evening also presented an opportunity for Patrons Club members to sample some of the fine dining fare available in the stadium both on matchdays and for meetings or functions.
The event is the first of many more to come this season and beyond as the Patrons Club adds value to your Ten-Year or Premium ticket.
A big thank you to all the Patrons Club members who attended on the night and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
Barry Cunningham
Patrons Club Manager