John Patrick O'Shea (2 June 1940 – 24 April 2024) was a Wales international rugby union player.
Career
Educated at Lewis School Pengam, along with John Dawes, he was capped five times for Wales as a prop between 1967 and 1968.[1]
O'Shea was selected for the 1968 British Lions tour to South Africa and played in the first international against South Africa. In the match against Eastern Transvaal at Springs he became the first Lion ever to be sent off for foul play, after throwing a punch.[2] He was then hit by a spectator while walking off which resulted in a brawl.[3] Later in the tour while playing against Rhodesia, he became the first Lions prop to score two tries in a game.[3]
O'Shea played club rugby for Cardiff between 1963 to 1970, becoming club captain in his final year.[3] In total he played 213 games for them and scored 19 tries.[4]
Personal life and death
John Patrick O'Shea was born in Weston-Super-Mare, England, on 2 June 1940.[5]
O'Shea died from pneumonia on 24 April 2024, at the age of 83.[3][6][7]
References
- ^ Griffiths, page 4:37
- ^ Thomas, Clem; Thomas, Greg (2001). The History of The British and Irish Lions. Mainstream Books. p. 145. ISBN 1-84018-498-1.
- ^ a b c d "Former Wales and Lions prop O'Shea dies aged 83". BBC Sport. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Tonight's rugby news as Wales and Lions international dies and Springboks face selection crisis". Wales Online. 24 April 2024. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ Griffiths, John (1987). The Phoenix Book of International Rugby Records. London: J. M. Dent & Sons Ltd. pp. 12:32. ISBN 0-460-07003-7.
- ^ John Patrick O'Shea
- ^ "John O'Shea obituary: Good-humoured if pugilistic Welsh rugby prop". The Times. 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
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