Neville Furlong

Neville Furlong (1970 – 26 September 2017) was an Irish rugby union player and a Gaelic footballer. He is best remembered for his time as a rugby union player, particularly for his contributions to the Ireland national rugby union team during the 1992 Rugby World Cup. Furlong was unique in that he also played Gaelic football at a high level, representing Wexford GAA in the Gaelic Athletic Association.

Early Life and Education

Neville Furlong was born in 1970 in Wexford, Ireland. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in sports, excelling in both rugby and Gaelic football. He attended St. Peter's College, Wexford, where he further developed his athletic skills. Furlong went on to attend University College Dublin (UCD), where he balanced his academic pursuits with his sporting career.

Rugby Career

Furlong's rugby career is most noted for his participation in the 1992 Rugby World Cup. He played as a winger for the Ireland national rugby union team, scoring a try against Zimbabwe in a pool match. This try is historically significant as it was the only try scored by an Irish player in that tournament. Furlong's international rugby career was brief, largely due to injuries, but he left a lasting impression with his performance on the world stage.

In addition to his international career, Furlong played club rugby for Garryowen Football Club, a prominent club in Irish rugby. His contributions to the club were significant, helping Garryowen to achieve success in domestic competitions.

Gaelic Football Career

Parallel to his rugby career, Furlong was also an accomplished Gaelic footballer. He played for the Wexford senior team, competing in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship. His dual-sport career is a testament to his versatility and athletic ability, as he managed to excel in both rugby and Gaelic football, two sports that require very different skill sets.

Later Life and Legacy

After retiring from professional sports, Furlong pursued a career in teaching. He became a respected educator, imparting not just academic knowledge but also lessons in sportsmanship and perseverance. Furlong's legacy is not just in the tries he scored or the matches he won, but also in the lives he touched through his post-sporting career.

Neville Furlong passed away on 26 September 2017, after a battle with cancer. His death was a great loss to the Irish sporting community, but his legacy lives on through his contributions to rugby and Gaelic football, as well as through the many lives he influenced as a teacher.

See Also

• Ireland national rugby union team
• Rugby World Cup
• Garryowen Football Club
• Wexford GAA

This sports biography related article is a stub.