James O'Donnell

James O'Donnell (1860 – 1 May 1942) was a New Zealand rugby union player. A forward, he was a member of the first New Zealand national team in 1884, and later played for New South Wales.

Early life Born in Piltown, County Kilkenny in Ireland in 1860, O'Donnell left Ireland with two of his brothers and a sister to escape their "tyrannical" father. Another brother fled the country after cutting off an English soldier's ear. Settling in New Zealand, O'Donnell is thought to have served in the police force and worked as a teacher.

Rugby union

New Zealand Despite living in Invercargill, he represented Otago in 1883, as the Southland Rugby Union was not formed until 1887. The following winter O'Donnell founded with a group of ex-pat New Zealanders the Gordon FC and the club won the 1886 Sydney competition. O'Donnell represented New South Wales between 1884 and 1888, and played against the 1888 British team. His son Jack O'Donnell also represented New South Wales. but was defeated by the incumbent, David Storey.

Following the death of John Dumbell in 1936, O'Donnell was the oldest living All Black. He died in Randwick, New South Wales on 1 May 1942 and was buried at Waverley Cemetery.