Shane Delahunt

Shane Delahunt (born 2 February 1994) is a professional rugby union player from Ireland. He primarily plays as a hooker. Delahunt currently plays for Irish provincial side Connacht in the Pro14.

Shane Delahunt

Date of birth	(1994-02-02) 2 February 1994
Place of birth	Birr, Ireland
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	111 kg (17 st 7 lb)
School	Kilkenny College
University	University College Dublin
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker Current team Connacht Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) –2012 2012–2013 2013–2014 2014– Birr UCD Lansdowne Buccaneers () Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 2014– Connacht 65 (30) Correct as of 9 May 2018 National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2014 Ireland u20 1 (0) Correct as of 1 February 2014

A product of the province's academy, Delahunt signed his first full contract with the side in December 2015, becoming a member of the senior squad in the 2016–17 season.

Early life

Delahunt was born and raised in Birr, County Offaly. A graduate of Kilkenny College, Delahunt captained the college team in the Leinster Senior Cup in 2012.[1] Delahunt also played GAA in his youth, playing primarily at full forward for club and county up to under-14 level.[2]

Rugby career

Early career

Playing prop in his teenage years, Delahunt was part of the Leinster under-age set up, captaining the province's under-19 side. At under-20 level, Delahunt was advised to change position to hooker due to competition in the prop positions and his own lack of size. During this adjustment Delahunt's progression stalled and he was primarily used as a replacement on the province's under-20 team. During his time in the Leinster youth set up, he was registered with University College Dublin team.[3] Having been in the Leinster sub-academy for two years however, Delahunt did not progress to the academy. After this setback back Delahunt, still aiming to become a professional player, began playing for the Lansdowne under-20s, before contacting Nigel Carolan, academy coach at rival province Connacht and seeking a trial.[2]

Connacht

Delahunt joined Connacht on an initial three-month trial in the summer of 2014. He trained with the team and played in a preseason friendly against Clermont Auvergne.[2][4]

Despite only being a trial player, Delahunt featured for the senior team early in the 2014–15 season. With both Seán Henry and Jason Harris-Wright injured, Delahunt was an unused replacement for a 2014–15 Pro12 game against Leinster and the following week, on 24 September, he made his debut from the bench against Glasgow Warriors.[5][6] In October 2014, Delahunt signed an academy contract with the side and later that week made his first start in a league game against Benetton Treviso.[7] With the move to Connacht he also joined Buccaneers, an All-Ireland League side in the province.[8] Delahunt made his European debut later that year, featuring as a replacement against Bayonne in the 2014–15 Challenge Cup on 13 December 2014.[9] Including this European appearance, Delahunt made a total of nine appearance for the senior team over the course of the season.[10]

In his second year in the academy, Delahunt again featured for the senior team. He started for Connacht on 28 November 2015 in their win over Munster, the province's first victory in Thomond Park since 1986.[11] It was announced in December 2016 that Delahunt had signed a senior contract with the province which sees him become a full member of the first team squad in the 2016–17 season.[12]

International

Delahunt has represented Ireland at under-age level. While playing prop as part of the Leinster under-age set up, he played for the Irish under-18 schools team and the Irish under-19s.[2] Delahunt was part of the Ireland squad for the 2014 Six Nations Under 20s Championship .[13] He made his only appearance for the team as a substitute in the game against Scotland on 31 January.[14]

References

1. "KCK rugby star gets Ireland's call". Kilkenny People. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 14 February 2016.
2. "Making up for lost time after switch to hooker saves career". Irish Independent. 1 May 2015. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
3. "Leinster U-20s defeat Leicester Academy". Leinster Rugby. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
4. "Connacht face Clermont this evening". Ocean FM. 8 August 2014. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
5. "Match Centre: Connacht Rugby 10-9 Leinster Rugby: Lineups". Pro12. 19 September 2014. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
6. "Match Centre: Glasgow Warriors 39-21 Connacht Rugby: Lineups". Pro12. 24 September 2014. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
7. "20-year-old Delahunt gets first start in Connacht's crucial Italian test". The42. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
8. "Buccaneers And Trinity Finish All-Square In Athlone". Irish Rugby. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
9. "Player Archive: Shane Delahunt". European Professional Club Rugby.
10. "Connacht Squad Index: Shane Delahunt". Pro12. Archived from the original on 9 March 2016.
11. "Brilliant Connacht win in Munster for first time in 29 years". Irish Independent. 28 November 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
12. "Connacht Academy Trio Are Promoted To Senior Contracts". Irish Rugby. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
13. "Ireland Under-20 Squad Announced For RBS 6 Nations". Irish Rugby. 15 January 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2016.
14. "Under-20 Profiles: Shane Delahunt". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 17 February 2016.