Rónan Kelleher

Rónan Kelleher (born 24 January 1998) is an Irish professional rugby union player who plays as a hooker for United Rugby Championship club Leinster and the Ireland national team.

Rónan Kelleher
Kelleher representing Ireland during the Six Nations Championship
Date of birth (1998-01-24) 24 January 1998
Place of birthDublin, Ireland
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight110 kg (243 lb; 17 st 5 lb)
SchoolSt. Michael's College
Notable relative(s)Cian Kelleher (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Current team Leinster
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019– Leinster 43 (80)
Correct as of 9 January 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2017–2018 Ireland U20 11 (10)
2020– Ireland 26 (30)
Correct as of 14 October 2023

Early life

Kelleher was initially an outside back and then a back-row for much of his underage years. He then transitioned to prop, before finally settling on hooker.[1] He attended St. Michael's College, Dublin where his father was principal. His older brother Cian Kelleher is a fellow professional rugby union player.[2]

Club career

Kelleher came up through the Leinster Academy.[3]

He scored both tries as Leinster A beat the Scarlets Premiership Select side 15–8 to win the final of the inaugural Celtic Cup in 2018.[4] He made his senior Leinster debut in February 2019 against Southern Kings.[5]

International career

Ireland

Kelleher represented the Ireland under-20s at both the 2017 World Rugby Under 20 Championship and the 2018 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, playing 11 games and scoring two tries.

Kelleher received his first call up to the senior Ireland squad on 15 January 2020 for the 2020 Six Nations Championship. He made his debut as a replacement against Scotland on 1 February 2020.[6][7] Kelleher scored his first international try versus France on 14 February 2021 during the 2021 Six Nations.[8]

Kelleher tied the record for most tries scored by an Irish player in a test match, by scoring four tries for Ireland in a 71–10 victory over the United States on 10 July 2021.[9]

British & Irish Lions

Kelleher joined the 2021 British & Irish Lions pre tour training camp in Jersey, as informal cover for hooker due to the unavailability of touring hookers Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie. Kelleher was not added to the touring party at the time,[10][11] but was called up to the Lions squad in South Africa on 15 July.[12]

References
  1. "Get to know Leinster and Ireland U20 hooker Ronan Kelleher". Rugby World. 29 March 2018.
  2. "Ronan Kelleher". www.ultimaterugby.com.
  3. "Rónan Kelleher part of young Leinster contingent desperate for star of their own". The Irish Times.
  4. "Kelleher's brace proves key as Leinster claim silverware". Independent.ie.
  5. Dunne, Alex (21 February 2019). "Ronan Kelleher to make Leinster debut against Southern Kings". dublinlive.
  6. "Six Nations: Johnny Sexton to captain Ireland as Andy Farrell's reign begins". BBC Sport. 15 January 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2020.
  7. "Six Nations 2020: Ireland win 19-12 against wasteful Scotland". BBC Sport. 1 February 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  8. "Player".
  9. "Baloucoune wonder try sparks Ireland to life as they put 71 points on USA". the42. 10 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  10. "Ronan Kelleher called in to train with Lions - but hasn't been added to touring party". independent. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  11. "Ronan Kelleher joins British and Irish Lions training camp in Jersey as hooker cover". Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  12. "Lions confirm that Ireland's Rónan Kelleher will join the squad tomorrow". the42. 14 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.


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