1959: Born October 20.

1978: Began coaching at schools level. Modest playing career included spells at Presentation Brothers College, UCC and Dolphin.

1992: Won the Triple Crown as Ireland Schools coach.

1997: Steered Dolphin into Division One of the All-Ireland League for the first time.

1998: Led Ireland Under-19s to victory in the FIRA World Cup. Joined Munster for the first time and guided the province to successive inter-provincial titles for the first time.

2000: Munster beaten 9-8 by Northampton in Heineken Cup final.

2002: Munster beaten 15-9 by Leicester in Heineken Cup final. Left Munster to become Ireland assistant coach under Eddie O'Sullivan. Replaced at Munster by Alan Gaffney

2004: Joined Newport Gwent Dragons but failed to oversee a game after leaving in August to join Leinster.

2005: Reunited with Munster after exiting Leinster amid rumours of conflict with some senior players.

2006: Munster beat Biarritz 23-19 to win Heineken Cup for the first time. Won Philips Sports Manager of the Year award.

2008: April 27 - Steered Munster to his fourth Heineken Cup final with an 18-16 semi-final victory over Saracens.

May 7 - Appointed Ireland head coach.

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