Malcolm O’Kelly

As far as legends of the Irish rugby game go, there are few more celebrated than Malcolm O’Kelly. A real star throughout his career and with an impressive legacy too, Mal first played for Ireland at Under 21 level, having impressed with his domestic side against Northern Transvaal during the 1994-95 season. That side was Leinster and his full international debut came in 1997 against the mighty All Blacks. From then on, Mal was a real star of the side and an absolute bedrock of the pack who was strong, competitive and always battling for his side. In February 2005, Mal O’Kelly broke Mike Gibson’s former record for total Irish caps, although since then his mark has now been surpassed.

Mal turned out for his national side in three World Cups, including in Wales in 1999 then again in Australia in 2003 and finally in France in 2007. He was also selected to play in the British and Irish Lions tours of 2001 and was then picked to represent the invite only side once again in 2005. Sadly he missed out on playing in any games owing to injury and then his last ever Test cap came as a replacement against Italy during Ireland’s famous Grand Slam run in of 2009. Just a year later in 2010 he announced his final retirement from the game and played just one more match, a Magners League semi-final against Munster. Nowadays, O’Kelly is a supporter of the children’s charity Plan Ireland and is a committee member of the rugby sevens club, Shamrock Warriors RFC.