Paddy McAllister

Last updated

Paddy McAllister
Birth namePatrick Robert McAllister
Date of birth (1989-07-20) 20 July 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth Lisburn, Northern Ireland
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight124 kg (19 st 7 lb)
School The Royal School, Armagh
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Current team Connacht
Amateur team(s)
YearsTeamApps(Points)
Ballynahinch ()
2021- Belfast Harlequins ()
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2010–2014 Ulster 44 (0)
2014–2015 Aurillac 16 (0)
2015–2019 Gloucester 66 (15)
2019–2021 Connacht 18 (5)
Correct as of 6 June 2021
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2009 Ireland U20 10 (0)
Correct as of 21 June 2009

Paddy McAllister (born 20 July 1989) is an Irish rugby union player and coach who played professionally as a prop for Ulster, Aurillac, Gloucester and Connacht.

Born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, [1] McAllister grew up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where his father was a Christian missionary and aid worker for Tearfund. [2] [3] He returned to Northern Ireland at the age of 14, and attended The Royal School, Armagh, where he started playing rugby. [4] He represented Ireland at schools, under-19 and under-20 level, [5] appearing at the 2009 under-20 World Championship, [4] and played club rugby for Ballynahinch. [5]

He joined the Ulster Rugby academy for the 2008–09 season. [6] He signed a development contract ahead of the 2010–11 season, and made his debut for the senior team against Ospreys in September 2010 [5] He made 15 appearances, including eight starts, in the Pro12 that season, as well as four appearances off the bench in the Heineken Cup. The following season he made 16 appearances, including eight starts, in the Pro12, and five appearances, including one start, in the Heieneken Cup. [7] He was named in the Ireland squad for the 2012 Six Nations Championship, but was unable to play because of a minor knee injury. [8]

In August 2012 he sustained a serious knee injury while training in France, [9] and two months later his close friend and teammate Nevin Spence died, leading to a period of depression. [8] In the summer of 2014 he moved to Aurillac in the French second division, then coached by former Ulster player Jeremy Davidson. [10] The following season he was signed by another former Ulster player, David Humphreys, to play for Gloucester in the English Premiership. [11] After four season with Gloucester, he returned to Ireland with Connacht. [12]

In August 2020, his wife Deborah suffered a stroke while pregnant with their third child. She made a full recovery and the child was born healthy, but McAllister decided that "family had to come first", [13] and announced his retirement at the end of the 2020–21 season. [14] After retiring as a professional player, he took a job as head of commercial and income revenue for All-Ireland League club Belfast Harlequins, while also playing and coaching for the club. [13] Paddy moved to Banbridge RFC in 2023 to take up the role as assistant coach.

McAllister is a devout Christian. [15]

Related Research Articles

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Nevin Spence was an Irish rugby union player for Ulster in the Pro12. He played as a Centre, but could also play Wing. He was educated firstly at Dromore High School, where he was introduced to rugby, and then at Wallace High School. He played his club rugby with Ballynahinch. He was also a capable footballer, playing for the Northern Ireland U-16's.

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The 2018–19 season was Ulster's 25th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and Dan McFarland's first season as head coach. Rory Best was captain. They competed in the Pro14, making the semi-finals, and the European Rugby Champions Cup, making the quarter-finals.

The 2017–18 season was Ulster's 24th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and Jono Gibbes' only season as head coach. Rory Best was captain. They competed in the inaugural Pro14 and the European Rugby Champions Cup.

The 2016–17 season was Ulster's 23rd season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and the third under Director of Rugby Les Kiss and head coach Neil Doak. They completed in the European Rugby Champions Cup and the final season of the Pro12 before it became the Pro14 with the addition of two teams from South Africa.

The 2015–16 season was Ulster's 22nd season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and the second under Director of Rugby Les Kiss and head coach Neil Doak. They competed in the European Rugby Champions Cup and the Pro12.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014–15 Ulster Rugby season</span> Rugby team

The 2014–15 season was Ulster's 21st season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and their first under Director of Rugby Les Kiss and head coach Neil Doak. They completed in the European Rugby Champions Cup and the Pro12.

The 2013–14 season was Ulster's 20th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and their second under head coach Mark Anscombe. They competed in the Heineken Cup and the Pro12.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012–13 Ulster Rugby season</span> Rugby team

The 2012–13 season was Ulster's 19th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and their first under head coach Mark Anscombe, replacing Brian McLaughlin who failed to get his contract re-signed. They competed in the Pro12 and the European Rugby Champions Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011–12 Ulster Rugby season</span> Rugby team

The 2011–12 Ulster Rugby season was Ulster's 18th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and their third under head coach Brian McLaughlin. They competed in the Heineken Cup and the inaugural Pro12, successor competition to the Celtic League.

The 2010–11 Ulster Rugby season was Ulster's 17th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and their second under head coach Brian McLaughlin. This season marked the debuts of two South Africans, scrum-half Ruan Pienaar and second row forward Johann Muller. Ulster were quarter-finalists in the European Rugby Champions Cup, and semi-finalists in the Celtic League. Ruan Pienaar was Player of the Year. Nevin Spence was IRUPA Young Player of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007–08 Ulster Rugby season</span> Provincial professional playing season

The 2007–08 Ulster Rugby season was Ulster's 14th season since the advent of professionalism in rugby union, and their fourth under head coach Mark McCall. They competed in the Heineken Cup and the Celtic League

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2001–02 Ulster Rugby season</span> Professional provincial Rugby Union playing season

The 2001–02 season was Ulster Rugby's seventh under professionalism, and their first under head coach Alan Solomons. They competed in the Heineken Cup, the IRFU Interprovincial Championship, and the inaugural Celtic League. Flanker Andy Ward was captain.

The 2003–04 season was Ulster Rugby's ninth under professionalism, and their third under head coach Alan Solomons. They competed in the Heineken Cup, the Celtic League and the inaugural Celtic Cup.

The 2004–05 season was Ulster Rugby's tenth under professionalism, and their first under head coach Mark McCall. They competed in the Heineken Cup, the Celtic League and the Celtic Cup.

In the 2005–06 season, Ulster were Celtic League champions for the first time. This was their eleventh season under professionalism, and their second under head coach Mark McCall. They also competed in the Heineken Cup.

References

  1. "McAllister Set To Make Competitive Debut For Connacht", Irish Rugby, 27 September 2019
  2. "Paddy Mcallister's Open Story About his Wife, Life in the Congo and Nevin Spence", OTB Sports, undated
  3. "CAR violence 'hampering aid' says Tearfund's David McAllister", BBC, 10 January 2014
  4. 1 2 Sean McMahon, "'I Was Just Looking For An Escape In Life…To Sleep Even'", Pundit Arena, 17 November 2019
  5. 1 2 3 "Tuohy, Spence & McAllister Agree New Contracts", Ulster Rugby, 10 January 2011
  6. "Phoenix Ulster Rugby Academy", Ulster Rugby, archived 3 February 2009
  7. Playing statistics at ItsRugby.co.uk
  8. 1 2 Ruaidri O'Connor, "‘I don’t have bitterness now. There’s more to life than rugby’", Irish Independent, 23 October 2021
  9. Niall Crozier, "Crocked Paddy McAllister out for season", Belfast Telegraph, 14 August 2012
  10. Deborah Armstrong, "Fivemiletown to France", Tyrone Herald, 2 June 2014
  11. "Former Ulsterman Paddy McAllister signs for Gloucester". Belfast Telegraph. 29 January 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
  12. "Connacht announce signing of prop Paddy McAllister ahead of 2019/20 Season". Connacht Rugby. 15 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  13. 1 2 Michael Sadlier, "Paddy McAllister on why ‘happiness had to come first’ after wife’s stroke scare as ex-Ulster Rugby star rejected chance to extend career", Belfast Telegraph, 21 October 2021
  14. Gerry Thornley, "Connacht announce departure of a further six senior players", Irish Times, 8 June 2021
  15. "Five Top Players on God's Rugby Squad". eden.co.uk. Retrieved 16 March 2014.