Eamon O'Carroll (born 13 June 1987 in Oldham) is the current head-coach of Bradford Bulls who play in the RFL Championship. He is also a former Ireland international rugby league footballer who last played for the Widnes Vikings. Eamon progressed through the Wigan Warriors Academy after signing in 2002 from Waterhead A.R.L.F.C. (in Waterhead, Greater Manchester) to eventually find himself playing prop during the 2005 and 2006 seasons.

Eamon O'Carroll
Personal information
Full nameEamon David O'Carroll
Born (1987-06-13) 13 June 1987 (age 37)
Waterhead, Oldham, England
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight15 st 8 lb (99 kg) [1]
Playing information
PositionProp
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2005–11 Wigan Warriors 65 3 0 0 12
2012 Hull FC 10 0 0 0 0
2012–17 Widnes Vikings 73 3 0 0 4
Total 148 6 0 0 16
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2007–13 Ireland 6 0 0 0 0
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
2020–22 Newcastle Thunder 49 14 1 33 29
2024 Bradford Bulls 34 21 2 11 62
Total 83 35 3 44 42
Source: [2][3]
As of 13 Oct 2024

Playing Career

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Wigan Warriors

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He was called up into the first-team squad for the first time before Wigan Warriors' Challenge Cup match with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in April 2006. He was an immediate hit with the Wigan Warriors fans for his enthusiasm and work rate. He went on to make four more appearances that season.[citation needed]

After numerous impressive performances he went on to make 13 Super League appearances for Wigan Warriors in the 2007 season which was probably best remembered for the opening day of the season when Wigan Warriors played Warrington Wolves where Adrian Morley came off second best in a collision with Eamon.[citation needed]

In 2008 Eamon O'Carroll really started making a name for himself as a tough, stocky prop who could really stand his ground with the big lads. Many fans were at first sceptical about the success O'Carroll would have in the Super League due to his size. However Eamon proved his critics wrong with numerous impressive performances making 21 appearances and scoring two tries. He was rewarded with a three-year contract.[4]

He started the 2009 season as a substitute in a home defeat by Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. Despite being on the losing side, O'Carroll earned himself a starting spot for the next three weeks in favour of the out of form Andy Coley. He then made 2 more appearances for Wigan Warriors before he was ruled out for the season with a broken bone in his foot.[citation needed]

Hull FC

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In September 2011, O'Carroll signed a 3-year contract with Hull F.C. for 2012.[5]

Widnes Vikings

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In June 2012, O'Carroll signed a contract with Widnes Vikings till end of 2014 season.[6]

In April 2014, Eamon signed a new two-year deal to stay with Widnes Vikings.[7][8]

International

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He played international rugby for Ireland.

He was named in the Ireland training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.[9] He made numerous impressive performances for Ireland in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup where he stood up well to some of the best players in the world.

Coaching

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Bradford Bulls

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On 19 Jul 2023 he was announced as the new head-coach for the 2024 season on a 3-year deal, with Lee Greenwood filling in as interim coach for the remainder of the 2023 season.[10]

On 17 October 2024, O'Carroll announced his departure from the Bradford Bulls to take on a new role at a Super League club.[11]

St Helens RFC

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On 7 Nov 2024 it was reported that he had joined St Helens as assistant coach, following the recent departure of Matty Smith[12]

References

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  1. ^ "Wigan Warriors Player Profile Eamon O'Carroll". web page. wiganwarriors.com. Archived from the original on 11 March 2011. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
  2. ^ "loverugbyleague". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  3. ^ RLP
  4. ^ "Caroll Signs 3-Year Deal". www.rleague.com.
  5. ^ "Hull F.C." BBC News. 6 September 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  6. ^ "Widnes Vikings". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  7. ^ "Super League". www.superleague.co.uk. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  8. ^ "Eamon O'Carroll becomes latest player to sign new deal with Widnes".
  9. ^ "Ireland Name World Cup 40 Man Training Squad". Rugby League Ireland. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 14 April 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2008.
  10. ^ "O'CARROLL APPOINTED NEW HEAD COACH FROM 2024". Bradford Bulls. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Bradford Bulls stunned as boss Eamon O'Carroll leaves club". Telegraph & Argus. 17 October 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  12. ^ Ben Olawumi (7 November 2024). "St Helens finalise 2025 coaching staff as new assistant confirmed". Love Rugby League.
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