THE IRFU has confirmed the appointment of the two new head coaches, Denis Fogarty and Neill Alcorn, for the upcoming Celtic Challenge Tournament.
The Clovers, which consist of players from Munster and Connacht, will see former Munster player Denis Fogarty as head coach while Munster’s women’s head coach Niamh Briggs will act as assistant coach. Munster’s Deirbhile Nic a Bháird will also be a development coach.
Alcorn will take charge of the Wolfhounds (Ulster and Leinster).
Fogarty said:“I am proud to join as head coach with the Clovers, after working for the past year and a half with the Ireland Women’s team, as scrum coach. The potential of the squad is exciting, and I’m really looking forward to working with all the players, management, and backroom team throughout the competition.”
He added: “We are excited about the challenges ahead and we’ll be working hard, as a squad, to be competitive in all our games during this season’s competition.”
The Celtic Challenge returns for the second year with an expanded format. The competition is being boosted from three to six teams across Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The first game of the Celtic Challenge competition will see the Irish teams play in a home derby at Musgrave Park on Friday, December 29 (kick-off 1pm).
