Malcolm O'Kelly (born 19 July 1974) is an Irish former rugby union player who played as a lock for Ireland and Leinster.

O'Kelly was born in Chelmsford, England, and attended Templeogue College secondary school in Dublin, Ireland. He has played for the Barbarians FC three times, wearing his old school socks. O'Kelly completed a B.A. in Engineering at Trinity College, Dublin between 1992 and 1996.

The O'Kelly, who made his international début in 1997 against New Zealand, became a talisman of the Irish side and became Ireland's most capped player, surpassing Mike Gibson, when he started the 2005 Six Nations fixture against Scotland. He not only earned his 70th cap, but scored Ireland's first try in the match, giving them a lead they never relinquished. O'Kelly's final total of 92 caps was surpassed in 2009 by John Hayes.

O'Kelly also played with the British & Irish Lions on their tour to Australia, and had been named in the Lions squad for their 2005 tour of New Zealand, but aggravated a groin injury in training and was replaced by Simon Shaw. He has five Lions caps. and is a committee member of the rugby sevens club, Shamrock Warriors RFC.

References

  • Leinster profile
  • Ireland Profile
  • Profile at sporting-heroes.net, including caps from 1997–2000 (Retrieved 6 February 2005)
  • Profile at sporting-heroes.net, including caps from 2001–2002 (Retrieved 6 February 2005)
  • Profile at sporting-heroes.net, including caps from 2003–present (Retrieved 6 February 2005)