Liam O'Connor (rugby union)

Liam O'Connor (born 13 July 1995) is an Irish former rugby union player who played as a prop for United Rugby Championship club Munster.

Liam O'Connor
Date of birth (1995-07-13) 13 July 1995 (age 29)
Place of birthCork, Ireland
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight110 kg (17 st; 240 lb)
SchoolChristian Brothers College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014–2023 Cork Constitution ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016–2023 Munster 34 (0)
Correct as of 10 November 2022
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015 Ireland U20 5 (5)
Correct as of 20 June 2015

Early life

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O'Connor was born in Cork and first played rugby aged 7 with Dolphin RFC. He then attended Christian Brothers College and represented the school in Junior and Senior Cup rugby. He has played for Munster at Under-18, Under-19, Under-20 and 'A' level, as well as representing Ireland at Under-19 and Under-20 level.[1] O'Connor also played football at underage level for Delaneys and, aged just 16, played in goal for St. Nicks in the Cork Senior Football Championship.[2]

Munster

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On 16 January 2016, O'Connor made his competitive debut for Munster when he came on as a substitute against Stade Français in a 2015–16 European Rugby Champions Cup fixture.[3][4] O'Connor made his first start for Munster on 1 September 2017, doing so in the sides opening fixture of the 2017–18 Pro14 against Benetton.[5] He signed a two-year senior contract with Munster in January 2018.[6] O'Connor was nominated for the 2018 John McCarthy Award for Academy Player of the Year in April 2018.[7] O'Connor made his return from a knee injury sustained during Munster's game against Ospreys in December 2017 in their fixture against Dragons on 26 January 2019.[8]

O'Connor signed a two-year contract extension with Munster in January 2020,[9] and signed a one-year contract extension in January 2022.[10] He featured off the bench in Munster's historic 28–14 win against a South Africa XV in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on 10 November 2022,[11] but was forced to retire on medical grounds upon the conclusion of the 2022–23 season.[12]

Honours

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Munster

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References

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  1. ^ "The future is Bright: Liam O'Connor (First year academy)". Irish Independent. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  2. ^ "Getting To Know Liam O'Connor". Munster Rugby. 2 February 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
  3. ^ "Foley Names Side For Stade". Munster Rugby. 15 January 2016. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Munster Bounce Back In Style At Thomond". Munster Rugby. 16 January 2016. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  5. ^ "Munster Off to Flying Start". Munster Rugby. 1 September 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2017.
  6. ^ "Contract Signings". Munster Rugby. 10 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  7. ^ "Munster Rugby Player Of The Year Nominees". Munster Rugby. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  8. ^ "Report | Narrow Win For Munster". Munster Rugby. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  9. ^ "Six Players Commit To Munster". Munster Rugby. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
  10. ^ "Key Players Continue To Commit To Munster Rugby". Munster Rugby. 12 January 2022. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  11. ^ "Report | Munster Secure Historic Victory Over SA Select XV". Munster Rugby. 10 November 2022. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  12. ^ "Munster Rugby Departing Players Confirmed". Munster Rugby. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
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