Dominic John O'Garra (22 February 1891 – 15 January 1960) was an English rugby league footballer who played as a halfback. He played at club level for Widnes between 1908 and 1922, and at representative level for Lancashire. After retiring from rugby, he was elected onto the town council and became mayor of Widnes in 1945.
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Dominic John O'Garra | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 22 February 1891 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 15 January 1960 (aged 68)[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Halfback | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Playing career
editClub career
editO'Garra made his debut for Widnes in 1908.[2] In March 1921, O'Garra and teammate Arthur Johnson were granted a benefit match in recognition of their service at Widnes.[5]
Representative career
editO'Garra made two appearances for Lancashire in the 1913–14 County Championship, scoring one try in a 24–3 win against Cumberland.[3]
O'Garra was also selected for the 1914 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand. He scored five tries in eight appearances, but did not appear in any Test matches.[3]
Outside of rugby league
editIn July 1922, O'Garra married Janet Barker at St Marie's Church, Widnes.[6]
After ending his rugby career, O'Garra became the licensee of the Grosvenor Hotel in Widnes.[7] He was elected onto the Widnes town council in 1931, and became mayor of the town in 1945.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Former Widnes R.L. star dies". Halifax Daily Courier & Guardian. 15 January 1960. p. 14 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ a b "Jack O'Garra". Widnes RLFC History. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
- ^ a b c Saxton, Irvin (ed.). History of Rugby League: No.19 1913–1914. League Publications.
- ^ "Player Summary: Jack O'Garra". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ "Widnes Beat Their Cup Opponents - Benefit for Johnson and O'Garra". Runcorn Weekly News. 24 March 1921. p. 7 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Merseyside Weddings - Miss J. Barker to Mr J. O'Garra, Widnes". Runcorn Weekly News. 28 July 1922. p. 5 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Widnes Mayor-Elect". Liverpool Echo. 30 October 1945. p. 3 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Next Mayor of Widnes - Councillor J. O'Garra Invited". Liverpool Echo. 26 September 1945. p. 3 – via British Newspaper Archive.