Tomás O'Leary

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Lore & Background

O'Leary was born in Cork, Ireland. The son of Cork hurler, Seánie O'Leary, O'Leary attended Saint Patrick's School on Gardiner's Hill before going to Christian Brothers College (CBC) for his second-level education. CBC has a rugby tradition and this is where O'Leary first started playing. He was recognised as a talent and played Munster Schools Senior Cup for the school. During this time he continued to play hurling and won minor Munster and All-Ireland titles with Cork in 2000 and 2001.

In Their Own Story

The 2009 Six Nations was the peak. A year later, he opened his try-scoring account in the championship with a score in the 29–11 defeat of Italy. Then came that March afternoon at Croke Park: Ireland 27, Wales 12, and O'Leary walking off with the Man of the Match award. But the highs were followed by frustration. A broken thumb in October 2010 cost him weeks, and though he returned for the 2011 Six Nations, a back problem and a freak eye injury in training forced him out of the rest of that tournament. By 2012, he was in the Ireland Wolfhounds squad, missing the initial Six Nations selection, but a knee injury to Conor Murray brought him back into the senior squad for the final two matches against Scotland and England.

Reader's Guide

After school, O'Leary continued with rugby. He was a member of the Irish U-21 side that reached the final of the 2004 Under 21 Rugby World Cup. Munster announced he would be a member of the squad in August 2005. He made his Heineken Cup debut against Sale Sharks in October 2005. He played club rugby with Dolphin. He played a prominent role in Munster's Heineken Cup wins in 2005/06 and 2007/08. He signed for London Irish on a three-year contract for the 2012–13 season, making his full debut on 1 September 2012 against Saracens. He was ruled out for the rest of the 2012–13 season after back surgery in December 2012. He returned at the beginning of the 2013–14 season. On 21 January 2015, he returned to Munster on a two-year contract. He made his first appearance of his second spell on 17 October 2015 against Cardiff Blues. In October 2016, he joined Montpellier as a medical joker. He earned his first Ireland cap as a sub on 26 May 2007 against Argentina. He made his first test start on 15 November 2008 against New Zealand. He was a member of the 2009 Six Nations Grand Slam-winning team, starting four matches. He scored his first try for Ireland in the 2010 Six Nations opener against Italy. He was named in the Ireland Wolfhounds squad in January and February 2012. He was called into the Ireland squad for the remaining 2012 Six Nations games against Scotland and England. He was named to the 2009 British & Irish Lions tour but broke his ankle on 24 April during a Munster match against Scarlets, ruling him out.

Did You Know?

• O'Leary won minor Munster and All-Ireland hurling titles with Cork in 2000 and 2001.
• He broke his ankle on 24 April 2009, ruling him out of the British & Irish Lions tour.
• He was a medical joker replacement for Montpellier in October 2016.