Former Ireland rugby coach Declan Kidney has been appointed as the Director of Sport and Physical Activity at University College Cork.

A former school teacher at Presentation Brothers College in the city, Kidney will take up the position from the start of the coming academic year.

Kidney, 53, is also a former student of UCC and is looking forward to the challenge after his five years as Ireland coach.

“I am really looking forward to working with the staff in the Department of Sport and Physical Activity, and to learn from the coaches and managers of the 60 clubs that at present are in existence in UCC.

“I firmly believe in a holistic approach to education and see physical activity, be it at the highest elite level or participating just for fun, to be an integral part of this experience.”