Tomás O'Leary

Irish scrum-half who won Heineken Cups with Munster and a Grand Slam with Ireland.

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Tomás O'Leary (born 22 October 1983) is an Irish former rugby union player who played as a scrum-half. He played most of his career in the United Rugby Championship with Munster, where he was part of the team that won the Heineken Cup in 2006 and again in 2008. He also played in the English Premiership with London Irish, and the Top 14 with Montpellier. Internationally, he represented Ireland, where he was a member of the team that won the 2009 Six Nations Championship and Grand Slam. Also in 2009, he was selected for the British & Irish Lions, though injury prevented him from touring with the squad. O'Leary retired from professional rugby in July 2017.

Quick Facts

Born: 22 October 1983
Birthplace: Cork, Ireland
Weight: 85 kg / 187 lb
School: Christian Brothers College
University: University College Cork

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.

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.