The Management of Old Crescent RFC along with the Chair of Rugby Liam Toland, are delighted to announce the arrival of our new coaching panel for the forthcoming season 2025/2026
Michael Harding has been appointed Head Coach overseeing rugby across the adult senior and junior teams in the club. Michael hails from Terryglass, Tipperary on the shores of Lough Derg, he played rugby with Nenagh Ormond before moving to Portumna RFC to give junior rugby a go, and was approached to consider taking on coaching. He’s had coaching spells with Portumna, Buccaneers, Cistercian College Roscrea, and Creggs, where he was assistant to Cunningham, before joining JP Cooney’s coaching team at Corinthians in 2020 as assistant coach and performance analyst. The Terryglass man took over as head coach at Cloonacauneen in July 2022, driving the hard work and high standards at U-20 and senior level that have underpinned their recent success. He won Connacht Coach of the year 2023/24
Robin Copeland joins as Defence Coach. Robin is a familiar name around these parts having played with Munster for 4 years and most notably scoring his first try against Leinster. He also played in the backrow in Cardiff with none other than 2 time British & Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton, so I’m sure he has a few stories to tell. After his stint with Munster, he went on to play with Connacht and then finished his playing career with Soyaux Angoulême XV Charente before returning home to Ireland with his family before taking on this role with Old Crescent RFC.
Yasin Browne is a former player with Old Crescent RFC having played over the last few seasons with the club and will take up the helm of Forwards Coach.
Cathal Monaghan, whilst still enjoying his playing career will be responsible for Skills coaching.
The club are very lucky to have retained the services of former Director of Rugby Eugene McGovern as Strength and Conditioning Coach for the coming season, whose knowledge of the club and its players will give a boost to the incoming head coach and his team of coaches.
Team Manager will see Colm Doyle continue in his role for the coming season
Senior Physio will be Claire Gilligan whom we welcome to the club.
Our 2nds coaching team will remain the same with Eddie Barry taking the lead as Team Manager/Head Coach along with Paudie Monaghan as forwards coach.
Our 3rds management team will continue with Eoin Naughton as Team Manager, Luke Malone as Head Coach, Martin Kelly as forwards coach with a new coach joining the ranks of none other than former past President of the Club, Chris Cullinan. The 3rds also welcome Maeve Keogh as their match day physio. Maeve is a former rugby player with Shannon RFC and provided services to the team during their Webb Cup run last season.
Last but not least, our ever successful Under 21’s team will be led by experienced coach Joe Nix, and his team of Bernard King, Brian Toland, Brian O’Shea, Donnacha O’Grady and Team Manager Ronan Hanrahan.
Lets all make sure we give a warm welcome to Michael, Robin & Claire if you see them around the club!!!
