Malcolm O'Kelly
Irish rugby union player
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Malcolm O'Kelly (born 19 July 1974) is an Irish former rugby union player who played as a lock for Ireland and Leinster.
19 July 1974
O'Kelly signing autographs at the RDS, November 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Malcolm O'Kelly 19 July 1974 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 2.03 m (6 ft 8 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 119 kg (18 st 10 lb; 262 lb)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Templeogue College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Trinity College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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O'Kelly was born in Chelmsford, England, and attended Templeogue College secondary school in Dublin, Ireland. He has played for the Barbarians FC three times, wearing his old school socks.[2] O'Kelly completed a B.A. in Engineering at Trinity College, Dublin between 1992 and 1996.
The 6-foot-8-inch (2.03 m) O'Kelly, who made his international début in 1997 against New Zealand, became a talisman of the Irish side and became Ireland's most capped player, surpassing Mike Gibson, when he started the 2005 Six Nations fixture against Scotland.[3] He not only earned his 70th cap, but scored Ireland's first try in the match, giving them a lead they never relinquished. O'Kelly's final total of 92 caps was surpassed in 2009 by John Hayes.[4][5]
O'Kelly also played with the British & Irish Lions on their tour to Australia, and had been named in the Lions squad for their 2005 tour of New Zealand, but aggravated a groin injury in training and was replaced by Simon Shaw. He has five Lions caps.[4]
At the end of the 09/10 season, O'Kelly announced his retirement from professional rugby. He is the only player in the Heineken cup to have played since the start of the competition – 15 years. He has won a grand slam, the Heineken cup, the Magners League(3) and 4 Triple Crowns: he is also Ireland's third most capped second row. As well as that, he is a two time British and Irish Lion.
O'Kelly is a supporter of the children's charity Plan Ireland[6] and is a committee member of the rugby sevens club, Shamrock Warriors RFC.[7]