Gordon D'Arcy facts for kids
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| Date of birth | 10 February 1980 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Ferns, County Wexford, Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 14 st 4 lb (91 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Clongowes Wood College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University College Dublin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Gordon William D'Arcy (born 10 February 1980) is a former Irish rugby player. He was known for playing as an inside centre for Leinster, an Irish team. Gordon also played for the British & Irish Lions on two tours.
He holds the record for the second-most appearances for Leinster, with 257 games. He is also third on Leinster's all-time try list, scoring 60 tries. Gordon D'Arcy retired from rugby in 2015. During his career, he won many titles. These include three Heineken Cups and four league titles with Leinster. He also won two Six Nations titles with Ireland, including a Grand Slam in 2009.
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Gordon D'Arcy's Early Life and School
Gordon D'Arcy grew up in Ferns, County Wexford, Ireland. He went to Clongowes Wood College, a well-known school, and finished there in 1998. Later, he studied at University College Dublin.
Gordon D'Arcy's Rugby Career Highlights
Gordon D'Arcy started his rugby journey as a promising fullback for his school team. He made his first appearance for Ireland on 15 October 1999. This was during the Rugby World Cup against Romania.
Becoming a Key Player
After a short break from international games, Gordon returned to play for Ireland in 2002. He started playing as a centre, which became his main position. In 2004, he was named the Player of the Tournament for the Six Nations Championship. He helped Ireland win the Triple Crown for the first time in many years.
Gordon D'Arcy formed a strong partnership with his Leinster teammate, Brian O'Driscoll. They played together as centres for both Leinster and Ireland. Their teamwork was very effective in both attack and defence. Gordon was even nominated for the IRB Player of the Year award in 2004.
British & Irish Lions Tours
Despite some injuries, Gordon D'Arcy was chosen for the British & Irish Lions squad in 2005. This tour was to New Zealand. He also joined the Lions squad again in 2009 for their tour to South Africa.
Winning the Grand Slam and Setting Records
Gordon was a key part of the Ireland team that won the 2009 Six Nations Championship and the Grand Slam. This was a huge achievement for Irish rugby. In 2010, he earned his 50th cap for Ireland.
At the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Gordon D'Arcy and Brian O'Driscoll set a world record. They became the most frequent centre partnership in international rugby history. They played 45 matches together.
Life After Rugby
After retiring from playing rugby, Gordon D'Arcy continued to be involved in the sport. He wrote articles about rugby for the Irish Times newspaper.
Gordon D'Arcy's Personal Life
In July 2012, Gordon D'Arcy married model Aoife Cogan. They also started a business together called Form School, which is a pilates studio in Dublin. In May 2015, they welcomed their daughter, Soleil.
Gordon D'Arcy once grew a beard that became quite famous! His teammate, Jonathan Sexton, shaved it off after Ireland won the 2014 Six Nations Championship. Gordon D'Arcy also supports the Barretstown charity as a patron.
Gordon D'Arcy's Rugby Honours
Individual Awards
- Six Nations Player of the Tournament: 2004
Team Honours with Leinster
- Celtic League: 2001–2002, 2007–2008, 2012–2013, 2013–2014
- Heineken European Cup: 2008–2009, 2010–2011, 2011–2012
- Amlin European Challenge Cup: 2012–2013
Team Honours with Ireland
- Six Nations Championship: 2009, 2014
- Grand Slam: 2009
- Triple Crown: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009
