O'Connor to leave Leinster
10 years ago
European Rugby Champions Cup semi-finalists Leinster Rugby have today announced that Head Coach Matt O'Connor will leave province.
European Rugby Champions Cup semi-finalists Leinster Rugby have today announced that Head Coach Matt O'Connor will leave province.
The former Leicester Tigers coach will depart at the end of the season by mutual agreement having been at the helm since the start of the 2013/14 campaign. The one-cap Wallaby led the Leinstermen to a European quarter-final and the PRO12 trophy in his first season in charge.
He went one step further in the inaugural Champions Cup this season, as Leinster were cruelly edged out by eventual champions RC Toulon 25-20 after extra time. But their domestic form has been less impressive this season. The PRO12 playoffs kick-off this weekend and Leinster will not feature for the first time after a fifth placed finish. And for all his league woes, O’Connor was proud of their European adventure.
He said: “I am disappointed and frustrated with our form in the PRO12 this season.We set high standards for ourselves and for many reasons, we did not achieve those highs throughout the league this campaign.
"However the European journey that we took over two seasons, for a new group of coaches, players and staff, is one that we can be very proud of. The dynamic in Europe has changed with meritocracy and fewer teams competing and this has improved the quality. We went toe to toe with the best and there is no shame in losing to Toulon by the smallest of margins and I'm extremely proud of the group and the character shown.”
"I would like to thank my coaching team and the backroom staff for their support and for leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of a performance every week. I'd also like to thank the players for their application during my time here. They have been a pleasure to work with and I will look back on my time with great fondness for what we achieved together.
"Finally, to the supporters, thanks for making me and my family feel welcome during our time here and I wish Leinster Rugby the very best of luck for the future."
The former Leicester Tigers coach will depart at the end of the season by mutual agreement having been at the helm since the start of the 2013/14 campaign. The one-cap Wallaby led the Leinstermen to a European quarter-final and the PRO12 trophy in his first season in charge.
He went one step further in the inaugural Champions Cup this season, as Leinster were cruelly edged out by eventual champions RC Toulon 25-20 after extra time. But their domestic form has been less impressive this season. The PRO12 playoffs kick-off this weekend and Leinster will not feature for the first time after a fifth placed finish. And for all his league woes, O’Connor was proud of their European adventure.
He said: “I am disappointed and frustrated with our form in the PRO12 this season.We set high standards for ourselves and for many reasons, we did not achieve those highs throughout the league this campaign.
"However the European journey that we took over two seasons, for a new group of coaches, players and staff, is one that we can be very proud of. The dynamic in Europe has changed with meritocracy and fewer teams competing and this has improved the quality. We went toe to toe with the best and there is no shame in losing to Toulon by the smallest of margins and I'm extremely proud of the group and the character shown.”
"I would like to thank my coaching team and the backroom staff for their support and for leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of a performance every week. I'd also like to thank the players for their application during my time here. They have been a pleasure to work with and I will look back on my time with great fondness for what we achieved together.
"Finally, to the supporters, thanks for making me and my family feel welcome during our time here and I wish Leinster Rugby the very best of luck for the future."
