About John O'Shea
Lived 1940 – 2024 (aged 83). John O'Shea was a British rugby union player.
John Patrick O'Shea (2 June 1940 – 24 April 2024) was a Wales international rugby union player.
Career Educated at Lewis School Pengam, along with John Dawes, he was capped five times for Wales as a prop between 1967 and 1968.
O'Shea was selected for the 1968 British Lions tour to South Africa and played in the first international against . In the match against Eastern Transvaal at Springs he became the first Lion ever to be sent off for foul play, after throwing a punch. He was then hit by a spectator while walking off which resulted in a brawl.
Personal life and death John Patrick O'Shea was born in Weston-Super-Mare, England, on 2 June 1940.
O'Shea died from pneumonia on 24 April 2024, at the age of 83.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in John O'Shea's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John O'Shea's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John O'Shea?
Welsh rugby union player
When was John O'Shea born?
John O'Shea was born on 2 June 1940 in Weston-super-Mare.
When did John O'Shea die?
John O'Shea died on 24 April 2024 in Australia.
What was John O'Shea's occupation?
John O'Shea was a rugby union player.
What nationality was John O'Shea?
John O'Shea was British.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John O'Shea (rugby union)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John O'Shea. https://biography.guide/john-o-shea-rugby-union-player/
MLA: "John O'Shea." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-o-shea-rugby-union-player/.
Chicago: "John O'Shea." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-o-shea-rugby-union-player/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:16 UTC