John Fogarty

Who is John Fogarty?

John Fogarty was an Irish rugby union footballer who played hooker for three of the Irish provinces, Munster, Connacht and Leinster, as well as the secondary Irish national team Ireland A. He also earned a cap for the senior Ireland team. John is the brother of fellow Ireland A player Denis Fogarty.

He was called up to the Ireland squad for the 2010 tour of New Zealand and Australia and earned his first test cap as a sub in the 75th minute against the All Blacks on 10 June 2010. He was also part of an Ireland XV to play the New Zealand Māori team.

Fogarty hails from Cork and was educated in Rockwell College. Fogarty enjoyed a three-year spell with Munster, from 2000 to 2003, and after moving teams, made 107 appearances for the western province Connacht. He played 80 times in the Celtic League and 27 times in the European Challenge Cup since his debut in the 2003-04 season. Fogarty captained Connacht for the 2006-07 Celtic League and Challenge Cup. Fogarty left Connacht for Leinster ahead of the 2008-09 season.

Fogarty announced his retirement in November 2010. He had been advised by doctors to do so, due to him having suffered repeated concussions.