Former Glenstal Abbey coach Noel McNamara Accepts Role with Sharks

Leinster Academy boss Noel McNamara is set to further his career as an assistant coach with the South African rugby franchise, The C Cell Sharks. The Sharks are due to participate in the upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) where they will compete against the four Irish provinces.

McNamara began his coaching career with Limerick’s Glenstal Abbey who compete in the Munster School’s Senior and Junior Cups.

The Clare native has been regarded as a highly talented and productive coach since leading the Irish U20’s squad to their 2019 grand slam victory, the first since 2007.

McNamara began his career as with Glenstal and then Clongowes in county Kildare. With four Senior Schools Final appearances and two Leinster Senior Cup’s added to his resume, McNamara got the nod to coach Leinster and Ireland Schools sides. Showing significant potential at provincial and international schools level, McNamara was employed by Leinster Rugby as an elite player development officer, which led him onto his diverse roles as Leinster academy manager and with the Ireland U20s.

McNamara even had a stint with New Zealand’s Mitre 10 Cup side North Harbour in 2018. The three-month spell with the southern hemisphere side was orchestrated by the IRFU, and was an experience that McNamara felt was very beneficial to his development as a coach.

With no vacancy’s within the Leinster senior coaching staff, McNamara is set to develop his coaching skills as the backs and attack coach for the South African franchise, and will follow his fellow countryman Felix Jones as an Irishman coaching within SA Rugby.

Another Irish coach that is set to coach abroad next season is Connacht’s attack coach Nigel Carolan, who parted ways with the province after 26 years with the province as both a Player and a coach, is due to join scottish side Glasgow Warriors.

With the four South African sides added to the newly formed United Rugby Championship, McNamara will undoubtedly come face to face with many old friends and colleagues. With the tournaments new style of rugby yet to be revealed, McNamaras debut season as a senior coach is not one to be missed.