John O’Neill Passes Away

It is with great sadness that Munster Rugby learned this morning of the passing of John O’Neill following an illness.

John joined the Munster Rugby Development department in 2007 and will be greatly missed by his colleagues and friends.

Munster Rugby would like to extend their deepest sympathies to his wife Trish, daughter Cathy, and the extended O’Neill family.

A former Munster player, ‘Johnno’ represented the province in the mid-eighties and played in the centre against Australia in Thomond Park in 1984.  He also lined out for Ireland A, scoring a try against Scotland.

His representative honours coincided with his Waterpark RFC playing days, and he also played for a period with Highfield RFC.  Moving into coaching the proud Waterford man had a driving ambition to give back and grow and develop the game across the east of the province.

During his time as a Rugby Development Officer he worked closely with the regional development squads and coached several of the current Munster squad including Jack O’Donoghue, Fineen Wycherley, Gavin Coombes, Liam Coombes, and the Academy’s Tom Ahern and Eoin O’Connor.

Working closely with the schools and clubs across the province he also held the role of Munster Junior Head Coach for seven seasons.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Ian Flanagan, Munster Rugby CEO, said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague and friend John O’Neill.

“Johnno leaves his mark thanks to the work he carried out on behalf of the province and the relations he forged with staff and volunteers across the rugby and sporting community in Waterford and beyond.

“My heartfelt sympathies go to Trish, Cathy and Johnno’s extended family and network of friends at this time.”