John Anthony O'Meara (26 June 1929 — 10 September 2011) was an Irish rugby union international.

Johnny O'Meara
Full nameJohn Anthony O'Meara
Date of birth(1929-06-26)26 June 1929
Place of birthCork, Ireland
Date of death10 September 2011(2011-09-10) (aged 82)
Place of deathCastletownshend, Ireland
SchoolChristian Brothers College
Clongowes Wood College
UniversityUniversity College Cork
Occupation(s)Solicitor
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1951–58 Ireland 22 (6)

Born in Cork, O'Meara attended Christian Brothers College (Cork) and Clongowes Wood College.[1]

O'Meara was a scrum-half, noted for his fast and fluid passing.[2] He formed a halfback partnership with Jack Kyle in the Ireland team during the 1950s and they featured together in 19 of O'Meara's 22 Test appearances. His career included a Five Nations title in 1951, his debut Ireland season, as well as a tour of Argentina in 1952, which coincided with the death of Eva Perón. He won two Munster Senior Cups with University College Cork.[3]

A competitive sailor, O'Meara represented Ireland at the 505 World Championships held in France in 1956.[1]

O'Meara, a solicitor by profession, was a partner in the Cork firm Barry O’Meara & Son.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "One of the great scrumhalves of Irish rugby". The Irish Times. 17 September 2011.
  2. ^ "Johnny O'Meara". Irish Independent. 25 September 2011.
  3. ^ a b Coughlan, Barry (15 September 2011). "The heartbeat at the centre of a rugby golden era for Ireland". Irish Examiner.
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