Ollie Campbell facts for kids

Ollie Campbell, born on March 5, 1954, is a famous Irish former rugby player. He was a flyhalf (a key player who directs the team's attacks) for the Irish national team from 1976 to 1984. He also played for the British Lions, a special team made up of top players from the UK and Ireland, on two tours.

Ollie helped Ireland win the Triple Crown in the 1982 Five Nations Championship. This was a huge achievement, as Ireland hadn't won it in over 30 years! Many people consider him one of Ireland's best flyhalves ever. In 2019, a sports ground in Dublin was even named "Ollie Campbell Park" to honor him.

Early Life and Club Rugby

Ollie went to Belvedere College in Dublin, a school known for its rugby. He helped his school team win the Leinster Schools Senior Cup twice, in 1971 and 1972. After school, he played for Old Belvedere, his local club team, and for Leinster, a bigger team representing his region. This was during a time when rugby players were not paid professionals.

Playing for Ireland

Ollie Campbell played 22 matches for Ireland between 1976 and 1984. In these games, he scored a total of 217 points. Even though his international career lasted several years, he played most of his games in four busy seasons from 1980 to 1984. He scored 182 of his points in the Five Nations Championship (now called the Six Nations).

First Steps in International Rugby

Ollie first played for Ireland in 1976 when he was 21, in a game against Australia. However, he didn't play for Ireland again until 1979. He had to compete for the flyhalf position with another great player, Tony Ward. In 1979, Ollie went on a tour with the Irish team to Australia. During this tour, he set an Irish record by scoring 60 points. In one match against Australia, he scored 19 points, which was also an Irish record for a single game against that team.

Triple Crown Victory (1982)

The most important part of Ollie Campbell's career happened in 1982. He was the main reason Ireland won the Triple Crown that year. This was Ireland's first Triple Crown win since 1949, making it a very special moment. Before the tournament, Ireland hadn't won any of its last eight matches.

Ollie started the 1982 Five Nations Championship by scoring eight points in Ireland's 20–12 win against Wales. He also played a big part in setting up all three of Ireland's tries in that game. In the next match, he scored another eight points as Ireland beat England 16–15.

The Triple Crown was secured in Ireland's third match against Scotland. Ollie kicked all 21 of Ireland's points in that game, including a career-best six penalty kicks. He was the top scorer in the 1982 Five Nations, with 46 points in total.

Sharing the Championship (1983)

In the 1983 Five Nations Championship, Ollie helped Ireland share the championship title with France. He was again the top scorer in the tournament, with 52 points. In one game against England, he scored 21 points, setting a new Irish record for the most points scored against England in a Five Nations match. Ollie played his last game for Ireland in 1984 against Wales.

Playing for the British Lions

Ollie Campbell also played seven times for the British and Irish Lions. He played three matches during the Lions' tour to South Africa in 1980. He was the Lions' top scorer in the last two games of that tour. He then played four more matches on the 1983 Lions tour to New Zealand, where he was again the top scorer for the Lions in their main test matches, with 15 points. In total, he scored 184 points for the Lions.

After Rugby

Ollie Campbell stopped playing rugby in 1986 because of ongoing hamstring injuries. In 2007, he received the Newbridge RFC Legend in Rugby Award. He was also made an Honorary Life Member of Newbridge RFC, along with the Irish Rugby Squad that won the 1982 Triple Crown. Since retiring from rugby in 1984, Ollie has worked in his family's clothing business.

See also

In Spanish: Ollie Campbell para niños

• Ireland national rugby union team
• 1982 Five Nations Championship