Ollie Waldron

Cornelius Oliver Waldron (11 July 1943 – 18 August 2026) was an Irish international rugby union player.

Biography Waldron was born in Cork, the third of four sons to parents Margaret O'Brien, from Kilbrittain, County Cork, and Irish Volunteer and Garda Síochána Sergeant Michael Waldron, from Ballyhaunis, County Mayo. He attended Glasheen Boys' School, and later graduated from University College Cork before undertaking postgraduate studies at Merton College, Oxford, where he completed a DPhil in nuclear physics.

A two-time Oxford blue, Waldron was the victim of a biting incident while playing for Oxford University against the touring Wallabies in 1966, leaving him bloodied. The injury required numerous stitches and was later revealed to have been caused by Wallaby hooker Ross Cullen, who was sent home by Australian team management. He also played for London Irish and was capped three times by Ireland, appearing twice in the 1966 Five Nations as a lock against Scotland and Wales at Lansdowne Road, then once against the Wallabies in a 1968 home international, this time used as a prop.

A CEO of Tara Mines and chairman of Oliver Resources, Waldron was subsequently CEO of Dragon Oil, retiring after the company was acquired by Emirates National Oil Company.

Waldron died at home in Schull, County Cork, on 18 August 2026, at the age of 83. He was survived by his wife, Margo, and sons, Jonathan, Gavin, Jaimie, and Richard.