Munster announce exit of URC title-winning coach Andi Kyriacou to be closer to young family
Forwards coach Andi Kyriacou helped Munster to United Rugby Championship glory in 2023.
Munster have announced that forwards coach Andi Kyriacou will leave the province in order to be closer to his young family in England after a successful stint at the club.
Kyriacou was part of the coaching ticket that led Munster to their first silverware since 2011 when they won a famous United Rugby Championship (URC) title in May 2023.
Their remarkable run to the final that 2022/23 season saw them win 14-5 at Glasgow Warriors in their quarter-final, then 16-15 against Leinster in Dublin in an unforgettable semi-final before they beat the Stormers 19-14 in another pulsating game in the final.
That result in Cape Town gave their fans one of their greatest days in recent memory.
Successful period
The following season the Graham Rowntree-led coaching group finished the regular-season atop the URC standings but lost to eventual champions Glasgow in the semis.
The former hooker, who enjoyed a successful loan period at Munster during his playing career, returned to the club in April 2021 as an Elite Player Development Officer with the Academy before taking over as first-team forwards coach ahead of the 2022/23 term.
During that time the 41-year-old helped many youngsters develop into Munster regulars.
Improvements in Munster’s set-piece and skill-set were evident throughout their title-winning URC campaign and Kyriacou departs “proud” of what the team has achieved.
“I would like to thank the players, management and fans for the warm welcome throughout both my times at Munster,” he told Munster’s official website on Friday.
“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.”
He added: “It has not been an easy decision as Munster is a club 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.”
Thanks from CEO
Kyriacou’s departure comes three weeks after Rowntree left the URC giants by mutual consent, with Munster Rugby CEO Ian Flanagan thanking the outgoing forwards coach.
“We would like to thank Andi 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,” he said.
“I would like to wish Andi and his family the very best for the future on behalf of Munster Rugby.”