Management Team Named For AIB Club International

Geoff Moylan (coach), Mick Galwey (manager) and Gerald McCarter (assistant coach) are the trio that will make up Ireland’s management team for the first ever AIB Club International on March 10, 2006.

Pictured with the AIB Cup are (left-right): IRFU President Andy Crawford, Shannon coach Mick Galwey, Cork Con manager Bobby Kahn and AIB Sponsorship manager Jim Kelly

The IRFU breaks new ground this season by hosting a Club International match. Friday, March 10 next will see Scotland as the visitors to Donnybrook for the historic fixture, less than 24 hours prior to the RBS Six Nations clash between Ireland and Scotland at Lansdowne Road.

The management team for the Club International was confirmed at Thursday’s draw for the inaugural AIB Cup at Lansdowne Road. The Irish squad selected will consist wholly of domestic club players.

Geoff Moylan, the current Buccaneers coach, former Ireland international and current Shannon coach Mick Galwey, and City of Derry’s Gerald McCarter, who led the Ulster Under-21s to an historic Interprovincial championship last season, will take managerial control as non-contracted club players fight for the right to represent their country.

Commenting on the outcome of the AIB Cup draw and the selection of the AIB Club International management team, IRFU President Andy Crawford said: “The new AIB Cup brings together rivals from all four provinces, creating a fresh and energetic competition for all of the competing clubs. Another facet to the IRFU Community Rugby Programme, the AIB Club International, represents a magnificent opportunity to showcase the club game and with such high levels of experience in the management team, I am sure it will be an excellent game in March.”

Speaking on behalf of AIB, Sponsorship manager Jim Kelly said: “The establishment of the AIB Cup competition and an AIB Club International team are two core features of the IRFU Community Rugby Programme. Looking at the results of the draw today, I am positive we can expect some very exciting fixtures in the coming months.

“The announcement of the AIB Club International management team is another encouraging step forward and I look forward to seeing the AIB Club International team taking on Scotland next March.”