Former Munster star and Irish international Denis Leamy is to pursue a coaching role after being appointed as assistant forwards coach at Young Munster next season.The 30-year old, who retired in May from a persistent hip injury, will assist forwards coach John ‘Paco’ Fitzgerald at the Greenfields club where his former Munster colleague Mike Prendergast is head coach.
Speaking this week, Leamy said that the role would help him decide whether or not to pursue a coaching career as he adjusts after being a professional player.
“In many ways it will be a nice gentle way to ease into coaching and it will give me an insight into whether I want to go down that road and make a career out of it.
“It will be completely different for me but I have done bits and pieces of coaching and have worked with Cashel seconds over the years. I always found it a good way to stay involved when I was injured.
“But I will be looking at a game completely different now. I’m looking forward to that but I know I have a lot to learn,” said Leamy, who will start pursuing his coaching badges in August.
Leamy won two Heineken Cup medals in his 145 games for Munster and the 2009 Grand Slam was the highlight of his 57 caps for Ireland before he had to call a halt in May when a hip problem continued to deteriorate.
“I’m still adjusting to not being a player. But this will be a good way to stay involved and Young Munster are clearly a team on the up so I’m looking forward to the challenge of it all,” added Leamy.
In other club news, former Munster centre Barry Murphy has once again committed to coaching UL Bohemains Senior backs this season. Murphy will once more work alongside head coach Colm Tucker and new director of rugby, Mossy Lawler.
