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Greg McWilliams leaves his role after two Six Nations campaigns with Ireland Women. Ben Brady/INPHO

IRFU announce Greg McWilliams' exit as Ireland Women's head coach

McWilliams leaves ‘by mutual consent’, the IRFU said in a statement.

IRELAND WOMEN’S HEAD coach Greg McWilliams has left the role by mutual consent, the IRFU said on Friday afternoon, ending almost a week of speculation about his future with the national team.

“The IRFU (Irish Rugby Football Union) can today confirm that Greg McWilliams has left his role as Head Coach of the Ireland Women’s XV by mutual consent and with immediate effect,” a statement read.

“The remainder of the current management team will remain in situ and John McKee will oversee operations until a long-term replacement is finalised.

“The IRFU would like to thank Greg for his efforts over the course of the last 18 months and wish him and his family well for the future. The IRFU will now begin the process of replacing him.”

McWilliams’ position with the team — who finished the Six Nations pointless and with the wooden spoon following five straight defeats — had been uncertain since Monday evening, when the Irish Independent reported that he was to step down.

The Dubliner had previously been involved with Ireland Women as assistant coach to Philip Doyle, and was a part of the Grand Slam-winning campaign in 2013.

Following a spell coaching in America, he returned to the national team and replaced Adam Griggs as head coach, taking charge ahead of the 2022 Six Nations where Ireland managed home wins against Italy and Scotland en route to a fourth-place finish.

But the gulf in progress between the women’s game in Ireland and their rapidly-improving opponents was laid bare in the Six Nations this spring, where McWilliams’ side managed to score just three tries across the tournament and conceded 31.

The IRFU are scheduled to give an update on their Women in Rugby action plan at a briefing in Dublin next week.

This is a breaking news article and will be updated. Written by Niall Kelly and posted on the42.ie

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    Mute Annette
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    Dec 28th 2019, 8:35 AM

    Something seriously wrong here, this poor woman and her surviving daughter what she must have gone through!! Unimaginable

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    Mute Bernard Kilmurray
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    Dec 28th 2019, 8:37 AM

    Where were the lifeguards?

    133
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    Mute John Horan
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    Dec 28th 2019, 8:46 AM

    @Bernard Kilmurray: There is a minimum size rule before you need a lifeguard.

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    Mute CC
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    Dec 28th 2019, 9:54 AM

    @John Horan: yeah I think of the pool is bigger than 200/250 sqm ? Read someone’s comment on another article. Just heartbreaking.

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    Mute Paddy Dunne
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    Dec 28th 2019, 10:04 AM

    I think the question has to be asked is what kind of pool is this ,is this a normal pool or is there some wave making mechanism in it to say that they were pulled into the deep part of the pool and not able to get out sounds sinister to me ,
    God bless that poor woman a holiday that cost her husband and children unimaginable

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    Mute Rory J Leonard
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    Dec 28th 2019, 9:58 AM

    Tragic, whatever the cause.

    More unroped easily accessible Lifebuoys, positioned adjacent to entry points / steps and to the side, should be mandatory for hotel pools.

    Buoys being too far away and all tied up seems the norm, which is no good in a panic scenario – likely with the story here.

    It’s a bit unrealistic to expect lifeguard cover at a hotel 24/7. Costs would be too prohibitive for all but very top end of the market.

    A small floatation device attached to a foot, no matter how good the swimmer, especially if not a regular, should not take from the enjoyment of a dip.

    One can’t be too careful with children near water.

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    Mute Dave Hammond
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    Dec 28th 2019, 11:35 AM

    @Rory J Leonard what a tragedy – poor family –

    I dont know why you speculate about buoys being likely far away – the pic of the pool in the article shows a large orange rung buoy right beside the pool ??

    Something doesn’t add up here ??

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    Mute Dublin
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    Dec 28th 2019, 6:32 PM

    I almost drowned in a hotel pool in Tenerife (Gran Tacande in Costa Adeje resort).
    My sister and mum came to save me but they too immediately began to struggle. They’re both better swimmers than me. There were TWO lifeguards on duty, both sitting atop a high chair supposedly looking out for this sort of thing. None of them saw or helped. It was only when I went to the bottom my mum screamed to the top of her lungs. She was screaming before but people though she was playing. When they realised it was serious, 3men dived in to immediately save me and pull me to the size where I had CPR.
    The lifeguards watched, then came down to inspect what was going on. They were almost EXACTLY useless. Never visiting the hotel again. Don’t underestimate how easy it could be to drown in shallow-is water.

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    Mute Marie Broomfield
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    Dec 28th 2019, 11:33 AM

    Some news media mad to add the non swimmers element . First it was possibly non swimmers, then it came as a direct quote from surviving child. As for the official report, BBC news said the pool was investigated and found not at fault but then added, the pools pumping system was being examined. So the pool is not in the clear yet. The state broadcasters are the only news media that can be trusted because they don’t have any reason to make a story juicier. Imo

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    Mute Bernard Kilmurray
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    Dec 28th 2019, 8:39 AM

    Where were the lifeguards???

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    Mute Breda Clarke
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    Dec 28th 2019, 5:52 PM

    So very sad but I can’t help but think why the dad used the steps to get into the pool. I know I’d jump in if my child was in difficulty as I can swim. I think a person who is not a confident swimmer would be inclined to use the steps.

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    Mute Barry Evans
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    Dec 28th 2019, 8:46 PM

    @Breda Clarke: that’s what you took from this? That he didn’t dive in like some movie action hero??

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    Mute Bopper Bops Holland
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    Dec 28th 2019, 1:34 PM

    What time did it happen

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    Mute nelliekel
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    Dec 28th 2019, 4:16 PM

    Doesn’t seem to be a run down flea pit of hotel so why is there no cctv as most hotels have it now if only for the compo culture

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    Mute Dublin
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    Dec 28th 2019, 6:40 PM

    Testing if my comments ever show up !

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    Mute Dublin
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    Dec 28th 2019, 6:36 PM

    Don’t underestimate

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