MUNSTER General Manager Ian Costello has graduated from DCU (Dublin City University) with a Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance Sports.
It wasn’t a straight forward study period as twice during this time, Costello was needed to assume the role as Acting Head Coach with the province.
Following the Kerry man’s recent qualification, Dr Costello said he is “far better equipped and far more confident in my ability to think critically and my ability to reflect on anything I’ve done”.
While Munster has been going through difficult times recently, he is upbeat about the pipeline of talent coming through the club’s academy.
The number of academy players breaking into the senior ranks is “tracking really positively”, and Munster representation in the Ireland Under-20s is “the strongest that we’ve ever had”.
He believes the quality of these young players will drive competition and standards at Munster.
Costello accepts that the club is facing a lot of pressure due to recent results, but looking to the longer term, he commented: “There is plenty of hard work ahead of us but we have a lot of really good people doing excellent work, which makes me optimistic about the future.”