McFarland revelling in new coaching role

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Written by John Fallon

Wednesday, 14 February 2007

Dan McFarland had his sights set on a coaching career long before he finally hung up his boots last season after a superb playing career which saw him perform in England, France and Ireland.

The 34 year old worked on his coaching badges throughout a playing career which saw him move from Richmond to Stade Francais before serving six years in the Connacht front row.

He retired from professional rugby at the end of last season after making more than one hundred appearances for Connacht.

McFarland then became coach with Monivea, who are now poised to capture the Connacht Junior League after a great season.

McFarland is also the Connacht video analyst and last Friday week made his international debut as a coach, acting as assistant to his long-time Connacht colleague and friend Eric Elwood as the Ireland U-20 side made a winning start to the Six Nations in Wales

So what was his debut as an international coach like?

"Fantastic. It was a dream start in terms of result. In terms of applying ourselves we've a lot to work on and that's what we're in the process of doing at the moment," he said.

The Ireland U-20 side continued their rich vein of form when they came from behind to defeat France 19-16 at Dubarry Park on Friday night.

The occasion was another huge success for Buccaneers RFC with almost 3,000 supporters turning out. Ireland will play England there next Friday week, and McFarland is hoping that they can continue their success.

"I'm enjoying it. There's a lot more work and it's more stressful which is part and parcel of the job but I'm definitely enjoying it. You're continually put under pressure because you're taking responsibility for a lot more aspects of the game.

"Having said that, it's a fantastic opportunity to implement yourself more on parts of the game you wouldn't know as much about, so from that point of view it's a learning curve.

"I also love the fact that I can eat and drink what I want," laughs McFarland.

Like all players who move to coaching, getting used to new match-day duties can take a bit of time.

"Generally my primary duty is to make sure everything is ready. It's a whole new way of looking at a match-day because it covers everything from the mental and physical preparation of the players to everything outside of the team as well. Just overseeing that takes up the whole day. It's exhausting but thoroughly enjoyable," he said.

McFarland and Elwood will hope their young charges can take another scalp when England come to the midlands on Friday week, as both continue to carve out coaching careers to match their exploits on the pitch over the past number of years.

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