Rugby legend Ollie Campbell will be in Galway tonight to give a talk in Hanleys Menswear.
Although his career was relatively short, Campbell won a total of 22 caps for Ireland from 1976-1984, scoring 217 test points (182 of them in Five Nations ), it has taken its place in Irish and international rugby history. He toured twice with Ireland, to Australia in 1979 and to South Africa in 1981.
Campbell won his first cap for Ireland at the age of 21 against Australia in 1976, but did not secure another cap with Ireland until 1979. Campbell's had to battle for the No.10 jersey with Tony Ward, European player of the year in 1978 and 1979. Campbell's next cap was during Ireland's 1979 tour to Australia.
He set an Irish record on the 1979 tour to Australia when he scored 60 points, 19 of them in Brisbane which was an Irish record for points in a match against Australia. The defining moment in Campbell's career came in 1982, with Campbell as the architect-in-chief of Ireland’s 1982 Triple Crown victory, Ireland's first since 1949. Campbell kicked all of Ireland's 21 points (including a career best six penalties ) against Scotland at Lansdowne Road to secure the Triple Crown.
In 1983, Campbell scored 21 points against England, setting an Irish record for most points against England in a Five Nations match. Campbell played his last match for Ireland in 1984 against Wales.
He was also capped seven times in successive matches for the British and Irish Lions, three in 1980 to South Africa and 4 in 1983 to New Zealand. He scored 184 points in total for the Lions.
Since retiring from rugby (of course, it was still an amateur game when he played ) he has been involved with his family clothing firm and also as an ambassador for Eden Park brand of ugby clothes.
It is with Eden Park that he visits Galway. He will be in store in Hanleys (William Gate St ) from 6 – 9 pm telling stories of his days in rugby and answering questions from the audience.
There will be additional entertainment, some food and drink in store, and a few Eden Park prizes.
The big prize however, which will be given to someone in store is a pair of tickets for one of the November Ireland international games. You must be instore to win this prize!
Don’t miss this chance to meet a genuine Legend and a opportunity to win tickets for a great game!
