Ford’s Contract Extended
Ireland’s defence coach Mike Ford has had his contract extended. Ford was initially hired on a six month contract but he has now been contracted to the Irish side until after the 2003 World Cup
The good news was delivered to Ford in the City Life hotel during the final week of the Ireland’s New Zealand tour by Eddie O’Sullivan and naturally enough Ford was delighted.
“Yes It’s brilliant. My contract was set to expire on Monday (24th) so, I’m really happy about that. It’s going to be great to be working with these lads and working with them through the World Cup.”
“I know we’re on the right track. The lads did really well in Carisbrook. The more performances we have like that, will re-inforce it in the player’s mind that the system works. Now the next big test is the second Test.”
” After the England game the players backed me. They said that it wasn’t my system that let us down that day, it was that they didn’t play it. That came from senior players.”
“I know it won’t take that long for the system to work. That’s not being big-headed, but that’s just the type of player I’m working with. They’re very coachable. They’ve the desire to be successful, to be better than they are. That makes my job easier. Come to the end of the Six Nations 2003, we’ll be ready and by World Cup, well, we’ll be cooking then.”