Further upheaval at Munster as CEO Fitzgerald is the latest to leave
Munster’s recent upheaval is continuing with CEO Garrett Fitzgerald confirming he will retire in June after being at the helm of the Irish club since 1999.
His departure is the latest off-field exit at the province. It follows the recent announcements that assistant coaches Jerry Flannery and Felix Jones have both turned down contract extension offers, while former All Black Doug Howlett, their commercial and marketing boss, is quitting to return to New Zealand.
Fitzgerald, the Munster coach in 1992 when they defeated the touring Australia in a memorable encounter in Cork, had enjoyed some landmark moments during his lengthy stint as CEO.
They include the winning of two European Cups, three leagues, the redevelopment of Thomond Park and Musgrave Park, and the playing squad’s move to a single training base in University of Limerick.
Most recently, Fitzgerald, who had been on a recent leave of absence to treat an illness, was honoured by the Federation of Irish Sport for his outstanding contribution to the sport.
He said: “I look back on my time in Munster with the fondest of memories. I have experienced fantastic days, working with great people in a unique environment, and for this I’m very grateful.
“A strong identity and unique culture are two of Munster rugby’s greatest assets. With the ever-changing rugby landscape, it is this culture and a shared belief system that sees the province consistently thrive at the highest level.
“I believe harnessing all that is good about Munster rugby will lead to future success for the province, and I look forward to seeing the brand and organisation continue to go from strength to strength.”
IRFU CEO Philip Browne added: “Since his appointment in 1999 Garrett has transformed Munster. He has succeeded in keeping the very best of the amateur era ethos at the club while building it into a professional sports club that is the envy of many throughout the rugby world.”
Munster, who handed head coach Johann van Graan an early contract extension in April, and the IRFU will now begin a recruitment process to fill the CEO position. In the meantime, Philip Quinn will continue in his role as acting CEO.
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I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
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