Neil Kelly

[Freddie Benson]

is being touted as a favourite to replace Shane McNally (Super League's coach of the year in 2004) who was sacked today by the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

You wouldn't be begrudge Neil a return to SL but I hope his signature of a 2 year contract was an indication of his desire to stay in Ulster.

[Donald Ducked]

Yeah - he's moved his family over and everything - let's hope he hangs around.

He made a real difference when he joined us and is a top bloke too.

[cjp]

Hope he doesn't go, especially even with the Irish defensive coach job up for grabs.According to the players Ned Kelly made a huge difference and they feel if he leaves we would be in alot of trouble.

[browner]

Hope this isn't true, the one part of our game that has improved significantly has been our defence and Mr Kelly deserves the credit for that.

[Rooster]

He is the one man we need to stay in the coaching setup.

[browner]

McNally out, Smith takes over at Wakefield
Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are ready to announce that they have sacked coach Shane McNally and replaced him with his assistant Tony Smith this afternoon.

also from the same website.


Kelly out of Robins running
Monday, June 20, 2005

NEIL Kelly will not be the new coach of Hull Kingston Rovers. The former Dewsbury and Widnes boss, who was Super League Coach of the Year in 2002, had been strongly linked with the vacant post at Craven Park following last week’s exit of Harvey Howard.

In a brief statement issued on Thursday the club announced Howard’s departure stating: ‘Both parties recognise that there are differences between them that are beyond reconciliation’.
The news of his departure was widely expected following his suspension last week, when the club announced there were issues with his ‘duties and conduct as head coach’.
Kelly, now coaching rugby union with Ulster, spoke to the Robins last year, before they appointed Howard to the job.
But he will not be stepping into Howard’s shoes this time.
‘I’m not in the running for it - I won’t be the new Hull Kingston Rovers coach,’ Kelly told ‘Rugby Leaguer & League Express’.
‘I can understand the speculation, but at this stage I have not been approached by the club, and neither have I applied.’


http://www.totalrl.com/home/index.shtml

[pwrmoore]

Phew!

[cjp]

Still would be worried bout the national post though.

[ding dong2u]

We badly need to hold on to Ned and make sure we sign him up long-term if possible

[cjp]

He is signed for 2 more seasons.

[Rooster]

Still would be worried bout the national post though.

No reason he could not do the national coach as well as Ulster, with no league games clashing with internationals he should only be missing for 1 game before Autumn internationals and 1 before 6 nations.

[cjp]

I thought that but somebody said when the position was announced that it was a full time post so he had to give up Ulster.

[Rooster]

How the feck could defence coach be a full time post when the team only gets together at autumn and 6 nations times

[cjp]

Exactly but McLaugh's post is full time as well somehow.

[colinh]

It is a full time post. If Neil were to leave what would the Ulster coaches do for a personality?

Colin