Seán O'Connor (rugby union)

For other people named Seán O'Connor, see Seán O'Connor (disambiguation).

Seán O'Connor (born 22 August 1996) is an Irish rugby union player. He can play as either a lock or a flanker and represents Jersey Reds in the RFU Championship.^[1]

Seán O'Connor

Date of birth	(1996-08-22) 22 August 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth	Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland
Height	1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
Weight	106 kg (16.7 st; 234 lb)
School	Rockwell College
University	Cork Institute of Technology
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock, Flanker Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2015–2016 Cashel () 2016–2020 Garryowen () Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2016–2020 Munster 9 (0) 2020– Jersey Reds 10 (5) Correct as of 18 September 2021 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2016 Ireland U20 7 (0) Correct as of 26 June 2016

Early life

O'Connor was born in Clonmel, County Tipperary and first played rugby aged 6 with Cashel RFC. He attended Rockwell College and played three years of Junior and Senior Cup rugby, winning the latter as captain in 2015 when Rockwell beat Ardscoil Rís 23–13 in the final.^[2][3]

Professional career

Munster

On 11 November 2016, O'Connor made his competitive debut for Munster when he came on as a substitute against Māori All Blacks in a capped friendly in Thomond Park, which Munster won 27–14.^[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 joined the senior squad on a one-year development contract for the 2019–20 season.^[6]

Jersey Reds

O'Connor left Munster at end of the 2019–20 season^[7] and joined RFU Championship side Jersey Reds ahead of the 2020–21 season.^[1]

Ireland

O'Connor represented Ireland U20 at the 2016 World Rugby Under 20 Championship, coming on as a replacement in the famous 33–24 win against New Zealand U20, the team's first win against their Kiwi opponents in history.^[8]