Former Italy international Mckinley set for Rainey job
FORMER Italy international Ian Mckinley has been unveiled as the new head coach of All-ireland League side Rainey Old Boys.
The 31 year-old, who yesterday formally retired from playing — his “second retirement” as he dubbed it in a statement — has been working with the Magherafelt-based club since last summer after returning from Italy in the wake of the pandemic’s first lockdown.
Mckinley, who played nine times for Italy, will officially take over in June from the long-serving John Andrews, who is standing down at the AIL Division 2A club.
Dublin-born Mckinley, who also played for Leinster, is a wellknown figure in the game due to his returning to play professional rugby in specially-made goggles after being blinded in one eye due to an on-field incident.
After spending seven years playing and coaching in Italy, last summer the former out-half and his wife Cordelia came back to her home in Bellaghy, where the couple have now settled with their baby son.
“It’s great to have Ian on board as head coach because from what we have already seen, he’s a fantastic coach and has worked really well with our backs,” said Rainey director of rugby Brian Smyth.
“Ian is hungry to further his coaching career and this matches the club’s strong desire to push ahead,” added Smyth, who also revealed that there had been strong interest in the top job at Rainey from prospective candidates outside Ireland.
“We’re very happy to have Ian head things up and he has made quite an impression in the short time he has been able to work with the players.
“Ian has done a lot of coaching during his time in Italy and, from what we saw coming in as our backs coach before Covid shut everything down again, he is an excellent operator who is very experienced and knowledgeable.”
Paying tribute to departing head coach Andrews, Smyth said: “John has been instrumental in Rainey’s success over the last number of years.
“The club has enjoyed unprecedented success with AIL promotions as well as our first ever Ulster Senior League.
“John is a top class coach who has done so much for Rainey and we wish him and his family well for the future.”