Connacht talisman John Muldoon has joined an elite list of rugby players to join Rugby Ireland’s Hall of Fame.
The former Connacht captain, who lifted the province’s PRO12 trophy in 2016, and is currently Connacht’s line-out and maul coach, has been inducted into the prestigious and exclusive list of rugby Ireland’s best.
The citation records that Muldoon is one of “few players to have embodied the identity of the province” in a “remarkable” career that spanned 15 seasons.
As captain, he became “synonymous with the province's transformation from perennial underdogs to PRO12 champions in 2016”.
On that occasion, he led Connacht to their historic triumph in Murrayfield over fellow Irish rivals and favourites Leinster, and then crowned a hugely significant playing career when Connacht claimed a win over Leinster in his final game in 2018.
It has been an eventful and fruitful journey for the Portumna native, who, having won an All-Ireland U18 Cup with Neenah Ormond, moved to Galway to study engineering at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. When invited to join Galwegians by then club director of rugby John Kingston, he never looked back.
From first playing in the Connacht Under-20s Cup he became Connacht’s talisman. His passion for the game, for club and for province, culminated in him captaining Connacht to Pro 12 glory in 2016 - recognised as one of the greatest achievements for the province, while he also earned three international caps for Ireland.
After a whopping 327 appearances for Connacht, it was not surprising Muldoon remained closely involved in the professional game after retiring.
Currently Connacht’s line-out and maul coach, Muldoon says it is a “huge privilege” to be recognised by joining a list of Ireland’s great players in the Hall of Fame.
“My career spanned a number of different eras at Connacht, and while we always had to do things a little differently, we found a way,” he says.
“To see how far the province has come, and the shape it’s in today, is something I take enormous pride in. I’m very grateful to Rugby Players Ireland for this recognition, which means a great deal when I think of all the people who played a part in that journey.”
Muldoon, who, along with Rory Best and Niamh Briggs were all inducted, joins an elite group of Connacht players that includes Eric Elwood, Alison Miller, Simon Geoghegan and Claire Molloy.
Jeremy O'Murchu, national sponsorship manager at Heineken Ireland, says the company is “extremely proud to partner with Rugby Players Ireland for this special occasion”.
“At Heineken, we take great pride in our long-standing association with rugby. In that time the Irish game has enjoyed remarkable success while also producing exceptional individuals like Rory, Niamh and John. I welcome their induction into the Heineken Rugby Players Ireland Hall of Fame.”
Simon Keogh, CEO of Rugby Players Ireland, says the three inductees have “each made and continue to make an enormous contribution to Irish rugby, both through their achievements on the field and the example they have set throughout their careers”.
“While they represent different journeys through the game, what unites them is their leadership, their commitment to their teammates and the lasting impact they have had on those around them.”
He says the Hall of Fame is an opportunity to recognise those contributions, while “bringing people together to celebrate the friendships and shared experiences that make rugby so special. We are delighted to welcome all three into this distinguished group”.
