3 days ago
Former All-Ireland winning S&C Coach the latest to depart Connacht Rugby
After a season of upheaval and disappointment, Connacht Rugby are set to lose the services of highly rated Head of Athletic Performance, Mikey Kiely.
It is understood that the Limerick man is set to vacate the role having joined the province in 2022.
Previously with Ulster Rugby, where he was Senior Athletic Performance Coach, Kiely is perhaps best known for his role with the Limerick senior hurling team, where he was Strength & Conditioning Coach for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
During this time, the Shannonsiders won two All-Ireland titles, two Munster Championships and a National Hurling League. A key part of John Kiely's backroom team, the Ballybrown native played his part as Limerick won all nine championship games to collect those 2020 and 2021 Munster and All Ireland titles.
Kiely, 36, first came to prominence with Clare's U21 hurling team in 2013 – working with the likes of Podge Collins, Tony Kelly and Shane O'Donnell as they won All Ireland honours. He then returned to his native Limerick and worked with a variety of inter-county sides before moving to the senior set-up, taking over from Joe O'Connor.
As well as this departure, Connacht lost Pete Wilkins earlier this season. He stepped down as Head Coach, in April, before joining Italian outfit Benetton as their new attack coach earlier this month. In January, the westerners confirmed that Mark Sexton, their Attack Coach was departing the side at the end of the 2024/2025 season.
Cullie Tucker concluded the season as Interim Head Coach, before Defence Coach Scott Fardy – the former Leinster and Australian lock – was next to leave the Galway-based side. This leaves Tucker and John Muldoon as they only two senior coaches still at the Sportsground.
Last weekend, in more positive news Connacht announced that talents John Devine, Finn Treacy and Harry West have been awarded their first professional contracts.
Connacht finished their 2024/2025 URC campaign in 13th place, having won six times in18 outings, while Racing 92 ended their Challenge Cup aspirations at the quarter-final stage. Under the stewardship of Andy Friend, they reached the 2022/2023 URC semi-final, but haven't failed to qualify for the knockout phase of the 16-team competition in the most recent two installments.
