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Tommy O'Donnell

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For the Australian rugby league player, see Tommy O'Donnell (rugby league).

Tommy O'Donnell
Birth nameThomas O'Donnell
Date of birth (1987-06-21) 21 June 1987 (age 37)
Place of birthCahir, Ireland
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight105 kg (16.5 st; 231 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Clanwilliam ()
UL Bohemians ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007–2021 Munster 187 (100)
Correct as of 28 May 2021
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007 Ireland U20 3 (0)
2013–2019 Ireland 13 (10)
2014 Ireland Wolfhounds 1 (0)
2014 Emerging Ireland 3 (5)
Correct as of 10 August 2019

Tommy O'Donnell (born 21 May 1987) is an Irish former rugby union player, who spent his entire career with his native province of Munster, whilst also earning 13 international caps for Ireland. After retiring in 2021, O'Donnell moved into coaching and joined Munster's academy staff in 2022.[1]

Early life

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O'Donnell began playing rugby for Clanwilliam at an underage level, before progressing to senior level. He also played for East Munster and Irish Youths whilst at Clanwilliam.

Munster

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O'Donnell made his Munster debut against Scarlets on 22 September 2007, during a Magners League fixture. He was part of the historic Munster team that beat Australia 15–6 at Thomond Park on 16 November 2010.[2] He made his Heineken Cup debut off the bench during Munster's 19–13 victory against Scarlets on 18 December 2011.[3]

He signed a new two-year contract with Munster in March 2012.[4] O'Donnell made his first Heineken Cup start in the quarter-final against Ulster on 8 April 2012.[5] He was named Munster Player of the Year for the 2012–13 season, following in the footsteps of teammates Donnacha Ryan, James Coughlan, Mick O'Driscoll, David Wallace, John Hayes and Ronan O'Gara.[6] O'Donnell signed a new contract with Munster in November 2013 which will see him remain with the province until June 2016.[7] He made his return from a knee injury sustained in September 2013 for Munster A on 6 December 2013.[8]

He was nominated for the 2015 Munster Rugby Senior Player of the Year Award in April 2015.[9] O'Donnell won his 100th cap for Munster on 25 April 2015, scoring a try in the 30–19 win against Benetton and winning the Man-of-the-Match award.[10] He was named in the 2014–15 Pro12 Dream Team, alongside teammate CJ Stander.[11] In December 2015, O'Donnell signed a three-year contract with Munster.[12] On 27 December 2015, O'Donnell made his return from the injury he sustained during the World Cup with Ireland, coming off the bench against Leinster during a 2015–16 Pro12 game.[13]

On 3 September 2016, O'Donnell won the Man-of-the-Match award in Munster's win against Scarlets in the opening round of the 2016–17 Pro12.[14] On 11 November 2016, O'Donnell captained Munster for the first time and led them to a historic 27–14 win against the Māori All Blacks.[15] O'Donnell won his 150th cap for Munster on 21 October 2017, doing so in the 2017–18 European Rugby Champions Cup fixture against Racing 92.[16][17] O'Donnell made his return from a shoulder injury sustained in early November 2017 on 8 December 2017, playing the full 80 minutes for Munster A in their 2017–18 British and Irish Cup defeat at the hands of Bedford Blues.[18] However, O'Donnell suffered a recurrence of the shoulder injury during Munster's 2017–18 Pro14 round 18 win against Scarlets which subsequently required surgery, ruling him out for the remainder of the 2017–18 season.[19]

He scored two tries in Munster's 64–7 win against Ulster in round 5 of the 2018–19 Pro14 on 29 September 2018.[20] O'Donnell signed a two-year contract extension with Munster in October 2018, a deal that will see him remain with the province until at least June 2021.[21] He suffered an ankle injury during Munster's Champions Cup win against Gloucester on 20 October 2018;[22][23] he returned from the injury during Munster's fixture against Ulster on 21 December 2018.[24]

After 14 seasons with the province, O'Donnell retired at the end of the 2020–21 season.[25] His final appearance for the province was in their 31–27 win against Cardiff Blues in round 4 of the Pro14 Rainbow Cup on 28 May 2021.[26] O'Donnell joined Munster's academy staff as an elite player development officer ahead of the 2022–23 season.[1]

Ireland

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O'Donnell has been capped for Ireland at under-18 and under-20 level and was part of the under-20 Grand Slam-winning team in 2007. He received his first senior call-up on 21 January 2013 when he was drafted into Ireland's 2013 Six Nations Championship training squad.[27] O'Donnell made his debut for Ireland Wolfhounds on 25 January 2013, starting in the friendly against England Saxons.[28] He was added to Ireland's Six Nations squad for the fixture against Scotland on 18 February 2013.[29]

O'Donnell was named in the Ireland squad for the 2013 Ireland tour to North America on 19 May 2013.[30] He made his debut for the senior Ireland team on 8 June 2013, coming on as a replacement against the United States.[31] O'Donnell made his first start for Ireland against Canada on 15 June 2013, also scoring his first try for Ireland in the game.[32]

O'Donnell started for Ireland Wolfhounds in their friendly against England Saxons on 25 January 2014.[33] On 27 January 2014, O'Donnell was named in Ireland's 34-man squad for the opening two fixtures of the 2014 Six Nations Championship.[34] He came off the bench against Scotland on 2 February 2014.[35] O'Donnell came off the bench against Wales on 8 February 2014.[36] O'Donnell was selected in the Emerging Ireland squad on 26 May 2014.[37] He started against Russia in their first 2014 IRB Nations Cup match on 13 June 2014, scoring a try.[38] O'Donnell started in their second game against Uruguay on 18 June 2014.[39] He came off the bench in the 31–10 win Romania on 22 June 2014, a win that secured the 2014 IRB Nations Cup for Emerging Ireland.[40]

O'Donnell was named in the Ireland squad for the 2014 November Tests on 21 October 2014.[41] He came off the bench during the 29–15 win against South Africa on 8 November 2014.[42] O'Donnell started in the 49–7 win against Georgia on 16 November 2014.[43]

He was named in the Ireland squad for the opening rounds of the 2015 Six Nations Championship on 1 February 2015.[44] He started against Italy on 7 February 2015, scoring a try in Ireland's 26–3 win.[45] He came off the bench in the 19–9 win against England on 1 March 2015.[46] England's failure to score enough points against France meant Ireland won the 2015 Six Nations Championship, the first time Ireland had won back-to-back championships since 1948–49.[47]

O'Donnell was named in the 45-man training squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup on 24 June 2015.[48] He started in the first World Cup warm-up against Wales on 8 August 2015, but went off injured in the second half.[49] On 10 August 2015, it was confirmed that O'Donnell had dislocated his hip, requiring a minimum of 6 weeks non-weight bearing activity, ruling him out of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.[50]

On 20 January 2016, O'Donnell was named in Ireland's 35-man squad for the 2016 Six Nations Championship.[51] On 7 February 2016, O'Donnell started against Wales in Ireland's opening match of the Six Nations.[52] On 13 February 2016, O'Donnell came off the bench against France to replace Seán O'Brien after he went off injured.[53] On 23 January 2017, O'Donnell was named in the Ireland squad for the opening two rounds of the 2017 Six Nations Championship.[54] O'Donnell was also selected in the squad for the 2017 Summer Tour against the United States and Japan.[55] However, an ankle injury ruled O'Donnell out of the tour.[56]

Statistics

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International analysis by opposition

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Against Played Won Lost Drawn Tries Points % Won
 Canada 1 1 0 0 1 5 100
 England 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 France 1 0 1 0 0 0 0
 Georgia 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 Italy 2 2 0 0 1 5 100
 Scotland 2 2 0 0 0 0 100
 South Africa 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 United States 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 Wales 3 2 0 1 0 0 66.67
Total 13 11 1 1 2 10 84.62

Correct as of 10 August 2019[57]

Honours

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Ireland

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Emerging Ireland

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Personal life

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On 24 June 2016, O'Donnell married Elisse O'Grady in Kenmare, County Kerry.[58][59]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Three New Appointments To Munster Academy". Munster Rugby. 23 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Class of 2010 Excel". Munster Rugby. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  3. ^ "Munster Complete The Scarlets Job". Munster Rugby. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  4. ^ "Ryan Signs on For Two More Years". Munster Rugby. 13 March 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
  5. ^ "First Heineken Cup Starts For Sherry & O'Donnell". Munster Rugby. 6 April 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  6. ^ "Tommy O'Donnell Named Munster Player of the Year". Munster Rugby. 10 May 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
  7. ^ "O'Donnell Signs Contract Extension". Munster Rugby. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  8. ^ "Munster A's Lose In Plymouth". Munster Rugby. 6 December 2013. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  9. ^ "Nominations In For Munster Rugby Awards". Munster Rugby. 20 April 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  10. ^ "Munster Make Home Advantage Count". Munster Rugby. 25 April 2015. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  11. ^ "Stander & O'Donnell Make PRO12 Dream Team". Munster Rugby. 11 May 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  12. ^ "O'Donnell Commits To Munster". Munster Rugby. 4 December 2015. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
  13. ^ "Leinster Take The Spoils At Thomond". Munster Rugby. 27 December 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2015.
  14. ^ "Gutsy Win For Munster". Munster Rugby. 3 September 2016. Archived from the original on 6 September 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  15. ^ "Magnificent Munster Conquer Maoris". Munster Rugby. 11 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  16. ^ "150 Beckons For O'Donnell". Munster Rugby. 18 October 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  17. ^ "Gutsy Win in Thomond". Munster Rugby. 21 October 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2017.
  18. ^ "Squad Update". Munster Rugby. 11 December 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  19. ^ "South Africa Next". Munster Rugby. 1 April 2018. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  20. ^ "Report | Record PRO14 Win For Munster Over Ulster". Munster Rugby. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  21. ^ "Player Contract Boost Continues". Munster Rugby. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  22. ^ "Squad Update | Pre Glasgow Warriors". Munster Rugby. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  23. ^ "Preparations Commence For Cheetahs On Sunday". Munster Rugby. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  24. ^ "Report | Losing Bonus Point In Belfast". Munster Rugby. 21 December 2018. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  25. ^ "Tommy O'Donnell Set To Retire At End Of Season". Munster Rugby. 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  26. ^ "Report | Bonus-Point Win For Munster Over Cardiff". Munster Rugby. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
  27. ^ "Seven Players Added To Training Squad". Irish Rugby. 21 January 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  28. ^ "Wolfhounds Lose Grip on First Half Lead". Irish Rugby. 25 January 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2013.
  29. ^ "O'Donnell Called into National Squad". Munster Rugby. 18 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  30. ^ "Ireland Squads Announced For Summer Tours". Irish Rugby. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  31. ^ "O'Mahony Leads Young Guns To Victory in Tour Opener". Irish Rugby. 9 June 2013. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  32. ^ "McFadden Hat-Trick Helps Ireland Surge Clear of Canada". Irish Rugby. 16 June 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2013.
  33. ^ "Wolfhounds Hold On For Hard-Fought Victory". Irish Rugby. 25 January 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
  34. ^ "34-Man Ireland Squad Named". Irish Rugby. 27 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  35. ^ "Three-Try Ireland Take Positive First Steps". Irish Rugby. 2 February 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  36. ^ "Terrific Display Sees Ireland Dominate Wales". Irish Rugby. 8 February 2014. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  37. ^ "9 Players In Emerging Ireland Squad". Munster Rugby. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2014.
  38. ^ "Emerging Ireland Hammer Russia In Nations Cup Opener". Irish Rugby. 13 June 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
  39. ^ "Emerging Ireland Enjoy Back-To-Back Bonus Point Wins". Irish Rugby. 18 June 2014. Retrieved 19 June 2014.
  40. ^ "Emerging Ireland Are Nations Cup Champions". Irish Rugby. 22 June 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
  41. ^ "Ireland Name 37 Man Squad For Guinness Series". Irish Rugby. 21 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  42. ^ "Clinical Ireland Claim Springbok Scalp". Irish Rugby. 8 November 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  43. ^ "Ireland Outgun Georgia With Six-Try Second Half Salvo". Irish Rugby. 16 November 2014. Retrieved 16 November 2014.
  44. ^ "Ireland Name 38-Man Squad For Six Nations Opening Rounds". Irish Rugby. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  45. ^ "Murray And O'Donnell Tries Steer Ireland To Rome Win". Irish Rugby. 7 February 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
  46. ^ "Henshaw's First Try Sees Ireland Overcome England". Irish Rugby. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  47. ^ "Thrilling Title Finish Sees Ireland Crowned Champions Again". Irish Rugby. 21 March 2015. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
  48. ^ "9 Munster Players Ireland Training Squad". Munster Rugby. 24 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  49. ^ "Ireland Win Opening Warm-Up Clash In Cardiff". Irish Rugby. 8 August 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  50. ^ "O'Donnell Ruled Out Of Rugby World Cup With Hip Injury". Irish Rugby. 10 August 2015. Retrieved 10 August 2015.
  51. ^ "Ireland Squad Named For Opening Rounds Of RBS Six Nations". Irish Rugby. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  52. ^ "Ireland And Wales Play Out Pulsating Draw In Dublin". Irish Rugby. 7 February 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  53. ^ "Ireland Suffer First Loss To France Since 2011". Irish Rugby. 13 February 2016. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
  54. ^ "13 Munster Players In Ireland Squad". Munster Rugby. 23 January 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2017.
  55. ^ "Schmidt Includes 9 Munster Players For Summer Tour". Munster Rugby. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  56. ^ "O'Donnell Ruled Out Of USA & Japan Tour". Munster Rugby. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  57. ^ Tommy O'Donnell, ESPN Scrum, 3 October 2019
  58. ^ "Ireland rugby star Tommy O'Donnell weds gorgeous bride Elisse O'Grady". Irish Independent. 3 August 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  59. ^ "Tommy O'Donnell determined to earn Ireland recall". Irish Examiner. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
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