Ronan links up with Royals

Neil Ronan celebrates as St Colmcilles are crowned Leinster IFC Club champions 2016 at Pairc Tailteann

Former Munster and Ireland rugby star Niall Ronan has joined the Meath football backroom team as a strength and conditioning coach.

The Irish Independent reports that Ronan has replaced John Coughlan in the role ahead of the Royals' return to Division 1 of the Allianz League after a 14-year lapse. Coughlan had held the position for three years.

The Bettystown man played rugby professionally for Munster, Leinster and Ireland for over a decade before returning to his GAA roots and winning a Meath IFC medal with St Colmcille's in 2016. The Cille's went on to reach the All-Ireland final, only to lose to Lee Keegan's Westport.