Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PRIDE COM BEFORE A FARRELL
Andy can’t wait to get his teeth into dream Ireland gig and he’s determined to put his new players back on top again
ANDY FARRELL believes he’s big enough and ugly enough to deal with the pressure of putting Ireland back on top of the world. Directing the 45 players who comprised his first training panel over 24 hours on Sunday and Monday at the IRFU’S spanking new base on the Sport Ireland Campus in Abbotstown, Farrell finally stepped out of the shadow of Joe Schmidt. From now on, Ireland’s former defence coach will be judged firmly on his own merits as the main man.
Following the desperate disappointment of the World Cup exit that he was a part of as defence coach, this is Farrell’s first chance to unveil his vision for Ireland’s future. Through his words, it’s easy to discern that he is where he has always wanted to be – running the show.
“I can only be myself,” the 44-year-old stressed. “I want to be honest and upfront with the media and the players I’m not clever enough to lie.
As far as how I’m going to run this gig. I’ve been in professional sport for most of my life, from 16 years of age.
“I’ve always wanted to be a coach, no matter what code that would be in.
“I’ve had some unbelievable experiences – some fantastic, innovative coaches, some brilliant man managers. I take all that into stock.
“I knew my point of difference would have been galvanising the team. I’ve always wrote stuff down, from being 19 years of age, about coaching.
I’ve always wanted to get to that stage.
“You’ve also to put you’re own Andy Farrell stamp into that
– and that’s my personality, and that’s how I am. That’s how I see things evolving and that’s what I want to see come through. I want to be myself – 100 per cent I want to be myself.”
Heavy rests the crown? Based on a 14-year playing career that saw him switch codes from Rugby League to Union at 28, and a coaching apprenticeship with England, the Lions and Ireland - picking up scars from World Cup exits this year and in 2015 – he’s confident that won’t be the case.
“I’ve had plenty of kickings, honestly,” he smiled. “I’ve been involved in professional sport long enough to know what a kicking is and what really matters, and I’m big enough and ugly enough to be able to take that.
“I know what’s relevant and what’s not to us getting better as a team. That’s what matters, really.”
At the end of the camp, Farrell opened the doors to the players’ families to join the group. Forging closer connections will be at the heart of his approach.
But Farrell must also be ruthless now – as he was in