Clayton McMillan says Munster CEO search no distraction

Munster head coach Clayton McMillan insists the province’s search for a new chief executive will not distract his team after Ian Flanagan confirmed he will step down at the end of October.

McMillan dismisses Munster CEO distraction

Flanagan’s departure was announced last week, bringing his tenure as Munster CEO towards a close after a turbulent period off the field.

Asked whether the leadership change could affect his playing group, McMillan was unequivocal following Munster’s victory over the Bulls.

“If we compare it to last year, this is a walk in the park,” McMillan said.

“I’m not trying to say that the decision isn’t a big one that Ian’s made, but again, he’s made that decision and we respect it and we wish him and his family all the best.”

McMillan said Munster’s priority must remain improving their performances rather than becoming distracted by developments elsewhere in the organisation.

Charlie O’Shea stars in Bulls victory

Munster secured their first United Rugby Championship victory of the season with a 26-22 bonus-point win over the Bulls at Thomond Park.

Twenty-year-old fly-half Charlie O’Shea produced an impressive first competitive start for the province, scoring two tries and kicking three conversions for a personal haul of 16 points.

“We’re not a good enough team at the moment to distract ourselves with anything other than performing, putting our best foot forward at training and hopefully delivering our best on weekends,” McMillan said.

Munster move on from turbulent period

The latter stages of last season were overshadowed by off-field issues, including staff redundancies and controversy surrounding the appointment of Roger Randle as attack coach, which was subsequently cancelled by mutual agreement.

McMillan also sought assurances at the time that those running Munster were “all heading in the same direction”.

The former Chiefs coach said Flanagan’s departure had not changed his own commitment to Munster and thanked the outgoing CEO for his contribution to the province since taking the role in 2019.

"I just think about the person who's got a mother and a father and a wife and children and the decision has been made.

"We wish him all the best in whatever comes next in his journey, but as is always the case when people come and go, our job, my job and the players' job is to focus on how we prepared during the week, and the performance that we put on the weekend and that didn't change this week and it won't change next week," he added.