Mick Molloy (rugby union) facts for kids
Michael Gabriel Molloy (born 27 September 1944) is a former rugby union player from Ireland. He played as a lock for the Ireland national rugby union team. A lock is a player who helps win the ball and push in scrums. Michael Molloy played in 27 international games for Ireland between 1966 and 1973.
He first played for Ireland on January 29, 1966, against France. Michael Molloy went on tours with the Irish team to Australia in 1967 and Argentina in 1970. He remembers a big win against Australia in 1967 as a highlight. Ireland won 15–8 in front of 54,000 fans in Dublin.
Michael Molloy is from Cornamona, Galway. He played club rugby for University College Galway RFC while studying medicine. Later, he moved to England to continue his medical career. There, he played rugby for the London Irish club.
Michael Molloy's Rugby Career
Michael Molloy played most of his international matches between 1967 and 1971. After this period, he played only two more international games. This was because team selectors chose other players.
Working as a Medical Officer
After his rugby career, Michael Molloy returned to Ireland. He worked as the team doctor for the Irish Rugby Union. He also advised them on medical matters.
In 2005, the International Rugby Board (IRB) appointed Michael Molloy as their first-ever medical officer. The IRB is the world governing body for rugby. In this important role, he worked to make sure all rugby players received the best medical care. He wanted to use the best medical practices to keep players safe and healthy.
Michael Molloy stayed in this role until the end of 2010. The chairman of the IRB, Bernard Lapasset, praised his work. He said Michael Molloy greatly helped rugby, especially in tracking player injuries worldwide. He also helped create guidelines for concussions that were used in many sports.
See also
- List of Ireland national rugby union players
- List of NUI Galway people
