Big Mal To Join IRUPA Bord Gáis Energy Hall Of Fame

27.04.2011

On Wednesday 4th May at the Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Rugby Awards, former Ireland & Lions second row Malcolm O’Kelly will become the 11th player to be inducted into the Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Hall of Fame, joining other greats such as Girvan Dempsey, Anthony Foley, David Humphreys and Keith Wood.

Educated at Templeogue College, Big Mal won his first full cap in 1997 against the All Blacks in Lansdowne Road and went on to win 92 caps during his international career and is Ireland’s most capped second row. He won five Triple Crowns and was part of the 2009 Grand Slam winning team. He played in three Rugby World Cups and is a two time British & Irish Lion.

Mal made his debut for Leinster in 1995 whilst studying at Trinity and went on to play for Leinster on 183 occasions. He had a three year sojourn with London Irish from 1996 to 1999 before coming back home to Leinster. His achievements with Leinster include the inaugural Celtic League title in 2001, a Magners League title in 2008 and he played an important role in Leinster winning their first Heineken Cup in 2009.

On hearing of his induction Malcolm said “I’m delighted to be accepting this award and joining the other players already inducted into the Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Hall of Fame. It means a huge amount as it comes from the players I played with and against during my career”.

John Mullins, CEO, Bord Gáis, commented, “Malcolm O’Kelly has been a wonderful ambassador for the game of rugby over the years and his induction into the Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Hall of Fame is a more than fitting tribute to such a decorated and well—respected player. I know that anyone with even the smallest interest in the sport will realise the towering impact Malcolm has had on Irish rugby at every level.”

The Bord Gáis Energy IRUPA Awards will take place at Dublin’s Burlington Hotel on Wednesday May 4th.

For more information, please contact:

Niall Woods
Navy Blue Consulting
M: +353 86 820 4747
Email: niall@navyblueconsulting.com

Claire Turvey
Pembroke Communications
Tel: 01 649 6312 / 087 983 4851
claire@pembrokecomms.ie

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