.gif)
Terry O'Connor (rugby league)
Encyclopedia
Terry O'Connor is an English
former rugby league
footballer. His position was , or .
, O'Connor was picked up from local Widnes side St Maries after also playing for Widnes Tigers. He was a former barla international and toured NZ with them in 1991. Also on the tour was Darren Fleary, Paul Anderson and Barrie McDermott, all of them went on to gain full international honours. In 1990 Terry signed for the original Red Devils Salford
, and played for them for three years. He had the opportunity of signing for Wigan, St Helens, Warrington, Leeds and Bradford, but chose Salford as his childhood hero Steve O'Neill was part of the coaching team, along with Kevin Tameti. He was awarded Salford's young player of the year in 1991. He played in the Regal Trophy quarter final against Wigan at the Willows and was awarded the MOM. He joined Wigan
in 1994 for a Salford record transfer fee of £95,000 and New Zealand International Sam Panapa. Salford also got a further £10,000 when Terry played for Great Britain. Whilst at Wigan he went on to win the Challenge Cup, Charity Shield, Regal trophy, Premiership Stones Bitter championship and also the Grand Final. In his time at Wigan he played 317 first grade game and was voted into the Wigan and Super League team of the decade. He was a mainstay of the Wigan pack for a decade and enjoyed a testimonial in 2004 for his services to Wigan. Terry donated part of his tetimonial money to under privelaged children, which allowed them to go on holiday to Euro disney back in November 2004. In the history of Wigan RLFC, only 27 players have worn the Cherry and White top more than him.
O'Connor joined his hometown club Widnes
at the end of the 2004 season. He captained the side in 2005 but with the introduction of Catalans Dragons
to Super League in 2006 meant that the team who finished 11th were relegated and it was unfortunate but Widnes finished 11th ahead of Leigh. Terry played on for 1 more year in the National League for Widnes and got to play his last competitive game in the Grand Final only to be beaten by Hull KR
. He was also joined in his final year by his good friend Barrie McDermott
they both retired in 2006.
O'Connor was a Great Britain
international with 15 caps. He debuted in 1996 in the South Pacific tour and retired from Great Britain in 2002. O'Connor went on to represent Ireland
at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup
and has captained the Irish on numerous occasion. O'Connor has also represented Lancashire in the Origin Series in 2001 and 2002 and never lost against arch rivals Yorkshire. He was awarded the Roy Powell medal for his performance in the 2001 series.
Since retiring from playing the game in 2006 he has taken the roll of Sporting Director at Widnes Vikings
along with his role at Sky Sports, appearing in light-hearted features with Barrie McDermott
as well as serving as a pundit for the coverage of lower-league games.
's inaugural Hall of Fame at the Rugby League Heritage Centre
in Huddersfield
, they were; John "Jack" Daly (Huddersfield
), 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
).
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer. His position was , or .
Career
A native of WidnesWidnes
Widnes is an industrial town within the borough of Halton, in Cheshire, England, with an urban area population of 57,663 in 2004. It is located on the northern bank of the River Mersey where the estuary narrows to form the Runcorn Gap. Directly to the south across the Mersey is the town of Runcorn...
, O'Connor was picked up from local Widnes side St Maries after also playing for Widnes Tigers. He was a former barla international and toured NZ with them in 1991. Also on the tour was Darren Fleary, Paul Anderson and Barrie McDermott, all of them went on to gain full international honours. In 1990 Terry signed for the original Red Devils Salford
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
, and played for them for three years. He had the opportunity of signing for Wigan, St Helens, Warrington, Leeds and Bradford, but chose Salford as his childhood hero Steve O'Neill was part of the coaching team, along with Kevin Tameti. He was awarded Salford's young player of the year in 1991. He played in the Regal Trophy quarter final against Wigan at the Willows and was awarded the MOM. He joined Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
in 1994 for a Salford record transfer fee of £95,000 and New Zealand International Sam Panapa. Salford also got a further £10,000 when Terry played for Great Britain. Whilst at Wigan he went on to win the Challenge Cup, Charity Shield, Regal trophy, Premiership Stones Bitter championship and also the Grand Final. In his time at Wigan he played 317 first grade game and was voted into the Wigan and Super League team of the decade. He was a mainstay of the Wigan pack for a decade and enjoyed a testimonial in 2004 for his services to Wigan. Terry donated part of his tetimonial money to under privelaged children, which allowed them to go on holiday to Euro disney back in November 2004. In the history of Wigan RLFC, only 27 players have worn the Cherry and White top more than him.
O'Connor joined his hometown club Widnes
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
at the end of the 2004 season. He captained the side in 2005 but with the introduction of Catalans Dragons
Catalans Dragons
The Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom...
to Super League in 2006 meant that the team who finished 11th were relegated and it was unfortunate but Widnes finished 11th ahead of Leigh. Terry played on for 1 more year in the National League for Widnes and got to play his last competitive game in the Grand Final only to be beaten by Hull KR
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
. He was also joined in his final year by his good friend Barrie McDermott
Barrie McDermott
Barrie McDermott is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A Great Britain international representative , he played his club football at Oldham, Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos , Bramley and Widnes.McDermott later became the Head of Youth Development with...
they both retired in 2006.
O'Connor was a Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
international with 15 caps. He debuted in 1996 in the South Pacific tour and retired from Great Britain in 2002. O'Connor went on to represent Ireland
Ireland national rugby league team
The Ireland national rugby league team, known as the Wolfhounds, represent the island of Ireland in rugby league football. The team is organized by Rugby League Ireland and are accredited as an affiliate member of the Rugby League International Federation...
at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup
2000 Rugby League World Cup
The 2000 Rugby League World Cup was the twelfth staging of the Rugby League World Cup and was held during October and November of that year in Great Britain, Ireland and France...
and has captained the Irish on numerous occasion. O'Connor has also represented Lancashire in the Origin Series in 2001 and 2002 and never lost against arch rivals Yorkshire. He was awarded the Roy Powell medal for his performance in the 2001 series.
Since retiring from playing the game in 2006 he has taken the roll of Sporting Director at Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
along with his role at Sky Sports, appearing in light-hearted features with Barrie McDermott
Barrie McDermott
Barrie McDermott is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A Great Britain international representative , he played his club football at Oldham, Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos , Bramley and Widnes.McDermott later became the Head of Youth Development with...
as well as serving as a pundit for the coverage of lower-league games.
Honoured by Rugby League Ireland
On 25 March 2004 six footballers were inducted into Rugby League IrelandRugby League Ireland
Rugby League Ireland is the internationally recognised governing body for the development of rugby league football in Ireland, having secured official recognition from the RLIF in 2000...
's inaugural Hall of Fame at the Rugby League Heritage Centre
Rugby League Heritage Centre
The Rugby League Heritage Centre is located in the basement of the George Hotel, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England. It is the UK’s only rugby league heritage museum and was the brainchild of BSkyB sports presenter and former Great Britain international Mike Stephenson.It was in the George...
in Huddersfield
Huddersfield
Huddersfield is a large market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, situated halfway between Leeds and Manchester. It lies north of London, and south of Bradford, the nearest city....
, they were; John "Jack" Daly (Huddersfield
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
), Robert "Bob" Kelly
Robert Kelly (rugby league)
Robert "Bob" Kelly is an Irish former professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and Other Nations, and at club level for Keighley, Wakefield Trinity, and Batley, playing at , or , i.e...
(Keighley
Keighley Cougars
Keighley Cougars are a professional rugby league club from Keighley in West Yorkshire, England. As of 2012 they will play in Co-operative Championship having won the Co-operative Championship 1 play off final 32-12 against Workington...
/Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
/Batley
Batley Bulldogs
Batley Bulldogs are an English professional rugby league club from Batley, West Yorkshire. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Batley is one of the original twenty-two rugby football clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895...
), Seamus McCallion
Seamus McCallion
Seamus McCallion is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s who at club level has played for Halifax, Leeds, and Bramley Buffaloes, playing at , i.e. number 9.-International honours:...
(Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
/Leeds
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
/Bramley
Bramley Buffaloes
Bramley Buffaloes is a rugby league club from the Bramley area of West Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. Previously known simply as Bramley RLFC, the club is a famous name in rugby league, having existed prior to the formation of the Northern Union in 1895...
), Thomas "Tom" McKinney
Thomas McKinney
Thomas "Tom" McKinney was a Northern Irish rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s and '50s who at club level played rugby union for Jed-Forest RFC, and at representative level played rugby league for Great Britain, Other Nations, British Empire XIII, and Rugby League...
, (Salford
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
/Warrington
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
/St. Helens), Terry O'Connor (Salford
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
/Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
/Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
), Patrick "Paddy" Reid
Paddy Reid
Patrick "Paddy" Joseph Reid was an Irish dual-code rugby centre. Reid played club rugby under the rugby union code for Garryowen and played international rugby for Ireland, and was part of the Grand Slam winning team of 1948...
(Huddersfield
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
/Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
).