David O'Connor (born 19 May 1995) is an Irish rugby union player who plays for Ulster. He plays primarily as a lock, but can also play in the back-row.
| Birth name | David O'Connor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 19 May 1995 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Dublin, Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 110 kg (17 st; 240 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Blackrock College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Alan O'Connor (brother)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Born in Dublin, O'Connor attended Blackrock College and was part of the team that won the Leinster Schools Rugby Senior Cup in 2013 and 2014, alongside future Ulster teammate Nick Timoney. He joined the Leinster academy in 2015, but was released in 2017 to pursue other opportunities, though he continued to play rugby with St Mary's in the amateur All-Ireland League, once playing against older brother Alan, before moving across Dublin to join Lansdowne.[1]
O'Connor moved north to join Ulster on a development contract in June 2019, ahead of the 2019–20 season,[2] and he made his senior competitive debut for the province in their 29–5 win against Welsh side Scarlets on 29 November 2019, coming off the bench to replace Matty Rea with eight minutes to go in the round 7 2019–20 Pro14 fixture.[3][4] He made seven appearances in his first season with the province,[5] and eight in his second.[6] He underwent shoulder surgery in early 2021.[7] He joined Ealing Trailfinders on loan in February 2022.[8][9] He was released by Ulster at the end of the 2021–22 season,[10] and joined the Trailfinders on a permanent basis.[11]
On 3 May 2024, O'Connor would return home to Ireland to join province Connacht back in the United Rugby Championship for the 2024-25 season.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b "Why Ulster is a home from home for David O'Connor after debut delight". Belfast Telegraph. 13 September 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- ^ "Ulster confirm sixth new signing as David O'Connor joins brother Alan in squad". Belfast Telegraph. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- ^ "Ludik to win 100th cap as Ulster name team to face Scarlets". The42. 28 November 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- ^ "Strong first half sets Ulster on path to victory over Scarlets". The42. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
- ^ "The Ulster depth chart: Madigan and Mathewson add experience", The 42, 29 July 2020
- ^ "The Ulster depth chart: A World Cup winner and the thrilling back three", The 42, 17 September 2021
- ^ "Ulster's Bok out injured... again", Rugby 365, 29 March 2021
- ^ "Highlights: February 2022", Rugby Players Ireland, 28 February 2022
- ^ "David O'Connor joins Ealing Trailfinders on loan", Ealing Trailfinders, undated, retrieved 26 May 2022
- ^ Neil Treacy, "McGrath and Reidy among five Ulster departures", RTÉ Sport, 26 May 2022
- ^ "DAVID O'CONNOR SIGNS PERMANENT DEAL". Ealing Trailfinders. 2 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
- ^ "Connacht adding second-row David O'Connor to their squad for next season". Independent. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 8 September 2024.