BRIAN O’DRISCOLL HAS made no secret of his passion for the Dublin side while Gavin Duffy is far from the only player to gain experience playing both rugby and GAA to a high level.
Mick Galwey, Rob Kearney and Simon Zebo among other acclaimed stars all dabbled in GAA, before establishing themselves in the world of rugby.
Check out our list below.
1. Gavin Duffy
Patrick Bolger / INPHO
Patrick Bolger / INPHO / INPHO
Having a GAA background before you play Rugby is a massive advantage. When I first started playing at school 90% of the young fellas could not kick a ball properly. If we got Rugby into the large public schools it would bring Irish rugby on enormously
I think Craig Gilroy Gaelic for St Pauls Holywood. They allways have a lot of rugby players in there underage teams. If you look at the Methody teams and other top rugby schools most have GAA players in their senior cup teams.
“I loved the freedom, being able to kick and punch, especially to kick and punch the ball! You were allowed to kick it and it just thrilled me. It was a 180-degree game, not like rugby where it’s all one way. I played it for about eight years.”
Kieth Wood played underage hurling with Clare. Anthony Foley, Marcus Horan played club hurling. Simon Zebo played hurling. Niall Ronan played football.
Phil danaher played soccer on an iconic glin rovers youths team. They said corners to that team were like penalties! He played limerick minor football in his bad year,then crossed the kerry border to Duagh and played for kerry minors the following year. All the while he was playing rugby and eventually won 28 irish caps as a tough centre. Not bad for a lad from abbeyfeale.
Paul McNaughton of Wicklow Gaa football & minor hurler, Ireland rugby and soccer for Shels and Bray.
I do not know if true but I heard Brian Mullins played McCorry Cup.
I think also the Hickey bros, Michael and David, played rugby in Belvedere and I think one played for a French club after his Dublin career–I think Michael.
just googled Michael Hickey–he was a full back on Belvo 1972 Leinster senior schools winning team and was their place kicker–on a team that included none other than Seamus Oliver Campbellat 10.
Philip Danaher, Dan Larkin (don’t think he has an Irish cap,but…), Brian Spillane, and Frances Brosnahan (Munster cap??) are all Limk men who have played each code very well and to rather high levels (not sure on all the details)!
david beggy played with meath and leinster before the pro era also hugh carloan. played with leinster and won a minor and u21 all ireland with meath…… niall ronan played minor with meath and munster also devon tonner is from moynalvey but not sure if he played gaa
Jimmy Screen, Monivea, Buccaneers prop, Connaught and Ireland A, minor footballer with Galway, managed his club Menlough to win Intermediate football championship in Galway after he retired and subsequently managed Clifden rugby in AIL.
Daniel Qualter and Shane Leydon, Ireland u20, Connaught, and played in Connaught minor football final vs Mayo 2009.
While i understand the novelty factor with the article Rugby is the poor import compared to Gaa. Having played both at a decent level they don’t compare. Gaa any day of the week.
Ned Byrne – Kilkenny
The only man to be capped for Ireland in rugby and win an All Ireland SHC with Kilkenny.
Played in 2 All Irelands: 71 vs Tipp (lost) & 72 vs Cork (won).
Six caps for Ireland 77-79. Was Ireland’s first choice tight head prop on your to Australia in 79, but his leg was broken by a hit’n'run driver in Perth before any rugby was played. Recovered from the injury to play on Blackrock rfc star studded early 80′s team but never played international
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Devin Toner once played as a goalpost for Moynalvey
Former Munster rugby player Ian Dowling won a Kilkenny senior championship medal with o Loughlin Gaels back in the 00s.
Having a GAA background before you play Rugby is a massive advantage. When I first started playing at school 90% of the young fellas could not kick a ball properly. If we got Rugby into the large public schools it would bring Irish rugby on enormously
Not a nordie in sight!!
Tommy Boe!
Monaghan i think u will find Tommy is not a nordie!!
I think Craig Gilroy Gaelic for St Pauls Holywood. They allways have a lot of rugby players in there underage teams. If you look at the Methody teams and other top rugby schools most have GAA players in their senior cup teams.
He went to Armagh Royal school!
And so what?
Munsters Darren Sweetnam played midfield for cork hurlers
Zinzan Brooke
“I loved the freedom, being able to kick and punch, especially to kick and punch the ball! You were allowed to kick it and it just thrilled me. It was a 180-degree game, not like rugby where it’s all one way. I played it for about eight years.”
And his GGA skills showed in his ability to land some lovely drop goals for the All Blacks, not too shabby for a number 8!
Every Irish person more or less would av played gaa at sone point.
Eric Elwood played for Galway, Ja Fallon played for Connacht, Diarmuid O Sullivan played for Highfield RFC in Cork.
John Muldoon won a minor hurling all Ireland with Galway
Kieth Wood played underage hurling with Clare. Anthony Foley, Marcus Horan played club hurling. Simon Zebo played hurling. Niall Ronan played football.
Denis Leamy played club hurling and football for Boherlahan/Dualla in Tipperary. Alan Quinlan probably played GAA too.
David Beggy former Meath footballer and Ireland winner also played rugby at AIL level not certain what division tho
Played for Blackrock in AIL division 1
and leinster
Ned Byrne has an All ireland senior medal with Kilkenny as well as several Irish caps in rugby.
http://www.hoganstand.com/Kilkenny/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=78842
Darren Hudson, Leinster/Bristol, played GAA
Philip Danaher played inter country championship with Limerick
Noel Mannion, Eddie halvey
Phil danaher played soccer on an iconic glin rovers youths team. They said corners to that team were like penalties! He played limerick minor football in his bad year,then crossed the kerry border to Duagh and played for kerry minors the following year. All the while he was playing rugby and eventually won 28 irish caps as a tough centre. Not bad for a lad from abbeyfeale.
Shane Byrne played Junior C football for Aughrim not too long ago..
This is about GAA and rugby not soccer
Former Munster full back New Zealander Seanie Mc Cahill who was capped once for Ireland also played senior football for Clonakilty Co. Cork!!!
Former Munster player Niall Ronan played minor football for Meath
I’m pretty sure the Score did an article a few months back about Ian Madigan and his playing career with Kilmacud Crokes!
Any rugby players with soccer links?
Tony Ward.
Me
Paul McNaughton of Wicklow Gaa football & minor hurler, Ireland rugby and soccer for Shels and Bray.
I do not know if true but I heard Brian Mullins played McCorry Cup.
I think also the Hickey bros, Michael and David, played rugby in Belvedere and I think one played for a French club after his Dublin career–I think Michael.
I think also Ciaran FitzGerald played hurling.
just googled Michael Hickey–he was a full back on Belvo 1972 Leinster senior schools winning team and was their place kicker–on a team that included none other than Seamus Oliver Campbellat 10.
Jack Carty mentioned above also played underage soccer for Ireland and had trials with Southampton.
Philip Danaher, Dan Larkin (don’t think he has an Irish cap,but…), Brian Spillane, and Frances Brosnahan (Munster cap??) are all Limk men who have played each code very well and to rather high levels (not sure on all the details)!
All played for Limerick Senior Footballers
Dan Larkin and Philip Danagher played in the 91 Munster Final against Kerry.
I remember playing hurling against Zebo underage he was very good, wicked fast no one could catch him once he ran with it
david beggy played with meath and leinster before the pro era also hugh carloan. played with leinster and won a minor and u21 all ireland with meath…… niall ronan played minor with meath and munster also devon tonner is from moynalvey but not sure if he played gaa
Former Tanaiste Dick Spring (still get a giggle!)
Brian O’Driscoll picked up a hurl….does that count?
Jimmy Screen, Monivea, Buccaneers prop, Connaught and Ireland A, minor footballer with Galway, managed his club Menlough to win Intermediate football championship in Galway after he retired and subsequently managed Clifden rugby in AIL.
Daniel Qualter and Shane Leydon, Ireland u20, Connaught, and played in Connaught minor football final vs Mayo 2009.
Shocked that The Bull Hayes’ hurling prowess for the Cappamore minors isn’t being celebrated on these pages!
While i understand the novelty factor with the article Rugby is the poor import compared to Gaa. Having played both at a decent level they don’t compare. Gaa any day of the week.
Ned Byrne – Kilkenny
The only man to be capped for Ireland in rugby and win an All Ireland SHC with Kilkenny.
Played in 2 All Irelands: 71 vs Tipp (lost) & 72 vs Cork (won).
Six caps for Ireland 77-79. Was Ireland’s first choice tight head prop on your to Australia in 79, but his leg was broken by a hit’n'run driver in Perth before any rugby was played. Recovered from the injury to play on Blackrock rfc star studded early 80′s team but never played international
http://www.hoganstand.com/Kilkenny/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=78842