Seamus McCallion

Seamus McCallion (born 10 April 1964) is an Irish former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played at club level for Halifax, Leeds and Bramley, as a hooker.^[2]

Seamus McCallion

Personal information
Full name	Seamus McCallion
Born	(1964-04-10) 10 April 1964 (age 61) Belfast, Northern Ireland[1]
Playing information
Position	Hooker
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1983 Kent Invicta 4 0 0 0 0 1984–91 Halifax 200 30 0 3 123 1992 Leeds 0 0 0 0 0 1996 Bramley 2 0 0 0 0 2004 Gateshead Thunder 5 0 0 0 0 Total 211 30 0 3 123 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1995–96 Ireland 3 1 0 0 4
Coaching information
Club Years Team Gms W D L W% 2004 Gateshead Thunder
Source: [2][3]

Playing career

Early career

McCallion started his career with Huddersfield-based amateur club Moldgreen, and was selected for the 1983 BARLA Young Lions tour of New Zealand.^[4] After playing a few games on trial at Kent Invicta during the 1983–84 season, he was signed by Halifax in March 1984.^[5]

Halifax

McCallion played in all 37-matches in Halifax's victory in the Championship during the 1985–86 season, scoring 7-tries in 30 League matches and 2 in Cup competitions.

McCallion played hooker, and scored a try in Halifax's 19-18 victory over St. Helens in the 1987 Challenge Cup Final during the 1986–87 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 2 May 1987, and played hooker in the 12-32 defeat by Wigan in the 1988 Challenge Cup Final during the 1987–88 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 30 April 1988.

McCallion played hooker in Halifax' 12-24 defeat by Wigan in the 1989–90 Regal Trophy Final during the 1989–90 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 13 January 1990.^[6]

In 1992, McCallion was sold to Leeds as part of an exchange deal, but never made an appearance for the first team.^[7]

International honours

Seamus McCallion won caps for Ireland while Unattached, and at Bramley in 1995 and 1996 gaining 3-caps.^[8]

Post-playing career

In 2003, McCallion was appointed as head coach of Gateshead Thunder.^[9] He was replaced by Dean Thomas a year later.^[10]

In November 2022, he was appointed as Head Physio at Hull.^[11]

Personal life

McCallion's daughter, Orla, plays rugby league for Leeds Rhinos Women.^[12]

Honoured by Rugby League Ireland

On 25 March 2004 six footballers were inducted into Rugby League Ireland's inaugural Hall of Fame at the Rugby League Heritage Centre in Huddersfield, they were; John "Jack" Daly (Huddersfield/Featherstone Rovers), Robert "Bob" Kelly (Keighley/Wakefield Trinity/Batley), Seamus McCallion (Halifax/Leeds/Bramley), Thomas "Tom" McKinney, (Salford/Warrington/St. Helens), Terry O'Connor (Salford/Wigan Warriors/Widnes Vikings), Patrick "Paddy" Reid (Huddersfield/Halifax).^[13]