Simon Geoghegan
Encyclopedia
Simon Patrick Geoghegan is a former Irish
rugby union
footballer who played at wing in England for London Irish
and Bath
and in the Irish Inter-provincial Championships for Connacht Rugby
and the Exiles. Simon finished his rugby career at Bath Rugby
where a debilitating toe injury limited his appearances and finally ended his playing career.
He is perhaps best known for his try in the 1994 Five Nations match against England at Twickenham
, that was instrumental in a famous 13-12 win. Another key contribution during the match was a kick, chase and tackle on England fly-half Rob Andrew
which led to a crucial kickable penalty to Ireland. An adept side stepper, he was once described by the commentator Bill McLaren
as being "Like a mad trout up a burn".
Geoghegan was controversially left out of the 1993 British and Irish Lions
tour to New Zealand when England's Ian Hunter
and Tony Underwood
were taken ahead of him. Former New Zealand hooker and Geoghegan's then London Irish coach Hika Reid was quoted at the time as being surprised as he felt the conditions would have suited him. In 1997 the Lions management apparently held a place open for him until the last possible minute, even though he had played little rugby that year due to the toe problems that cut short his career.
As an amateur player Geoghegan had a career outside rugby as a solicitor.
Geoghegan qualified for Ireland through his Galway
born father. His grandfather played in the 1929 All-Ireland Hurling Final
.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
footballer who played at wing in England for London Irish
London Irish
London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top...
and Bath
Bath Rugby
Bath Rugby is an English professional rugby union club that is based in the city of Bath. They play in the Aviva Premiership league...
and in the Irish Inter-provincial Championships for Connacht Rugby
Connacht Rugby
Connacht Rugby is an Irish professional rugby union team based in Connacht that competes in the RaboDirect Pro12 comprising teams from the Celtic nations plus Italy. Normally, it also competes in the second-tier pan-European club competition, the European Challenge Cup...
and the Exiles. Simon finished his rugby career at Bath Rugby
Bath Rugby
Bath Rugby is an English professional rugby union club that is based in the city of Bath. They play in the Aviva Premiership league...
where a debilitating toe injury limited his appearances and finally ended his playing career.
He is perhaps best known for his try in the 1994 Five Nations match against England at Twickenham
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is a stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is the largest rugby union stadium in the United Kingdom and has recently been enlarged to seat 82,000...
, that was instrumental in a famous 13-12 win. Another key contribution during the match was a kick, chase and tackle on England fly-half Rob Andrew
Rob Andrew
Christopher Robert "Rob" Andrew MBE , nicknamed "Squeaky", is a former English rugby union footballer and currently Director of Operations at the RFU. He was formerly the Director of Rugby of Newcastle Falcons. As a player, Andrew was assured in his kicking and defensive skills off both feet...
which led to a crucial kickable penalty to Ireland. An adept side stepper, he was once described by the commentator Bill McLaren
Bill McLaren
William Pollock "Bill" McLaren CBE was a Scottish rugby union commentator, teacher, journalist and one time rugby player. Until his retirement in 2002, he was known as 'the voice of rugby'...
as being "Like a mad trout up a burn".
Geoghegan was controversially left out of the 1993 British and Irish Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
tour to New Zealand when England's Ian Hunter
Ian Hunter (rugby player)
Ian Hunter is a former rugby union footballer who played on the wing or at full back for Northampton Saints and England...
and Tony Underwood
Tony Underwood
Tony Underwood is a former English rugby union footballer who played as a wing three-quarter back. He is of Chinese-English parentage....
were taken ahead of him. Former New Zealand hooker and Geoghegan's then London Irish coach Hika Reid was quoted at the time as being surprised as he felt the conditions would have suited him. In 1997 the Lions management apparently held a place open for him until the last possible minute, even though he had played little rugby that year due to the toe problems that cut short his career.
As an amateur player Geoghegan had a career outside rugby as a solicitor.
Geoghegan qualified for Ireland through his Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
born father. His grandfather played in the 1929 All-Ireland Hurling Final
All-Ireland Hurling Final
The All-Ireland Hurling Final is the last match to be played in the All-Ireland Hurling Championships . The All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final is one of the biggest sporting occasions to be held in Ireland every year...
.