Niyi Adeolokun

Niyi Adeolokun (born 3 November 1990) is an Irish rugby union player. He primarily plays as a winger. Currently unattached he most recently played for Bristol Bears & previously for Connacht. Adeolokun joined Connacht in 2014 from Trinity College. During his time with Dublin University, Adeolokun also played rugby sevens for the club.

Niyi Adeolokun
Birth nameAdeniyi Adeolokun
Date of birth (1990-11-03) 3 November 1990
Place of birthIbadan, Nigeria
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight96 kg (15.1 st; 212 lb)
SchoolDe La Salle College
UniversityTrinity College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Dublin University ()
Galwegians ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014–2020 Connacht 93 (165)
2020–2022 Bristol Bears 22 (20)
Correct as of 28 June 2022
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016 Ireland 1 (0)
2018–2019 Barbarians F.C. 2 (0)
Correct as of 6 June 2021

Early life

Born in Ibadan, Nigeria, Adeolokun came to Ireland with his family in 2001 aged 11. He played a wide array of sports in his youth, playing Gaelic football with Templeogue Synge Street and also played soccer for League of Ireland side Shelbourne's under-20 team.[1] Adeolokun first played rugby union as a student at De La Salle College in Churchtown.[2]

Club career

Youth and amateur level

Adeolokun was tied with Leinster as a teenager, but after being dropped from their under-19 development squad, Adeolokun played for De La Salle senior school's cup team. In 2009, he was invited All-Ireland League side Dublin University by Director of Rugby, Tony Smeeth. Adeolokun played for the team for four seasons. During his time with the squad also played for the Dublin University Sevens team that won back-to-back All-Ireland Championships in 2011 and 2012.[2]

Connacht

In June 2014, it was announced that Adeolokun had signed for Irish provincial team, Connacht on a one-year deal. Connacht's academy coach Nigel Carolan had recommended him to the province, with Adeolokun having had a trial with the second tier side Connacht Eagles, in April 2014.[3]

Adeolokun made his debut for Connacht on 6 September 2014, starting against Newport Gwent Dragons on the opening weekend of the 2014–15 Pro12, providing an assist to teammate Eoin McKeon for Connacht's first try of the new season. He scored his first try for the province against La Rochelle in the 2014–15 Rugby Challenge Cup. Adeolokun played a total of nine games in the league and four in the Challenge Cup in his first season, scoring a try in each.[4][5] In November 2014, it was announced that Adeolokun had signed a new contract with Connacht to keep him with the team until the end of 2016–17 season.[6]

On 28 May 2016, Connacht won their first ever major trophy, the 2015–16 Pro12 after a 20-10 win against Leinster in the final, Adeolokun scored the second try of the match.[7]

Bristol Bears

In August 2020 it was confirmed Adeolokun had joined Premiership Rugby side Bristol Bears on a short-term contract for the remainder of the 2019–20 season.[8] He signed a one-year extension ahead of the 2020–21 season.[9]

International career

In November 2016 Adeolokun received his first call-up to the senior Ireland team.[10] He made his debut for Ireland on 12 November 2016, coming as a 67th minute replacement for Craig Gilroy against Canada.[11]

References
  1. "Analysis: Connacht's sensational attack brings them Pro12 glory". The42. 29 May 2016. Retrieved 30 August 2016. The 25-year-old has a rich sporting background in Gaelic football with Templeogue Synge Street and soccer – having played for Shelbourne's U20 side
  2. "From AIL to PRO12 for speedy Adeolokun". Connacht Rugby. 12 September 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  3. "Connacht bring in Adeolokun". Setanta Sports. 16 June 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  4. "Connacht Squad Index: Niyi Adeolokun". Pro12 Rugby. Archived from the original on 2 April 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  5. "Player Archive: Niyi Adeolokun". European Professional Club Rugby. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  6. "Connacht extend Niyi Adeolokun contract". RTÉ Sport. 26 November 2014. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
  7. "2016 Pro12 Final: as it happened". The42.ie. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  8. "Trio arrive as injury cover on short-term deals". Bristol Bears. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  9. "Trio sign permanent deals with Bears". Bristol Bears. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  10. "Jordi Murphy: Ireland flanker out for 'six to nine months' because of knee injury". BBC Sport. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 7 November 2016.
  11. "Connacht influence strong as Schmidt's Ireland run eight tries past Canada". The42.ie. Journal Media. 12 November 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2016.


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