Another Munster coach heads for the exit door
11/22/2024 11:36 AM
NEWS: Munster has confirmed the departure of another member of their coaching staff.
Forwards coach Andi Kyriacou announced his decision to leave the province to rejoin his family in England.
His departure comes just under a month after head coach Graham Rowntree headed for the exit door.
Kyriacou, who played for Munster during the 2006/07 season, joined the province as an Elite Player Development Officer with the Academy in April 2021.
He was promoted to forwards coach ahead of the 2022/23 season where he was an integral part of the coaching group that led Munster to the United Rugby Championship title that year and topped the URC table last season.
"We would like to thank Kyriacou for all his hard work over the last number of years in both his role as an Elite Player Development Officer and as Forwards Coach for the senior men's team," Munster CEO Ian Flanagan said.
"I would like to wish Andi and his family the very best for the future on behalf of Munster."
Kyriacou said: "I would like to thank the players, management, and fans for the warm welcome throughout both my times at Munster.
"However, I have lived apart from my young family for several years now and we felt it timely to continue our rugby journey back in the UK.
"It has not been an easy decision as Munster is a team very close to my heart and, above all, it's been a pleasure to be able to coach a group of such impressive young players and men.
"I'm particularly proud of winning the URC in the 22/23 season, topping the league last year and for all the young players I have helped develop.
"I wish Munster every success in the future."
The departures of Rowntree and Kyriacou follow a horrid start to the Irish province's season
The 2023 champions, Munster, are in 12th place on the United Rugby Championship standings after just two wins from six starts.
The departures came on the back of a winless trip to South Africa – losing 19-34 the 13th-placed Stormers and 24-41 to the Sharks.
The recruitment process for a new forwards coach has begun.
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