by Brendan Cole
Andy Wood has been appointed head coach of Clontarf, replacing Bernard Jackman.
Jackman quit Clontarf to pursue opportunities elsewhere after coaching them to an agonising defeat against Old Belvedere in the Ulster Bank All-Ireland League semi-final. The club has AIL Division 1A status next season after winning Division 1B.
New Zealand native Wood began his rugby career in Ireland with De La Salle Palmerston FC but he has a long history with Clontarf, joining in 2002 and lining out as a player in AIL finals in both 2003 and 2006.
He took over for his first stint as head coach of the northside Dublin club in 2007/2008, replacing current Old Belvedere coach Phil Werahiko. In Wood's second season in charge, Clontarf just missed out on an AIL title, drawing the final 19-19 against Shannon after extra time and losing on try-count.
He coached Blackrock to fifth place in Division 1A in this year's Ulster Bank All-Ireland League and has also been involved with the Ireland Club team.
