NOLA Gold Kevin O'Connor 2021 Profile

NOLA Gold Rugby Club re-signed Kevin O’Connor through the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 26-year-old hooker is 6’1″ and 220 lbs.

Kevin played for New Orleans Rugby Club in 2020, as well as the NOLA Gold Academy, making the transition from flanker to hooker. He signed with NOLA Gold for the 2020 season and saw regular-season playing time the first two weeks, starting once at flanker.

Kevin played in three matches for NOLA Gold in 2019. He made the most of his 69 minutes of playing time with 9 carries for 37 meters and made 16 tackles.

Kevin is from San Mateo, California. He attended St. Ignatius College Prep from 2008-2012, playing football, basketball, and soccer. He then attended Saint Mary’s College of California from 2012-2017, earning a BBA in Entrepreneurship and Finance. He also played rugby at St Mary’s and was an Honorable Mention All-American in 2016 and a First Team All-American in 2017. He also played on the USA MCAA tour to Queensland, Australia in 2016. Kevin was also a study abroad student at John Cabot University in 2014.

Following his graduation from St. Mary’s, he attended Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland from 2017-2018, earning an M.S in International Business. He played briefly with the team in Ireland, as a foot injury derailed his season.

Kevin joined the NOLA Gold Rugby Academy and the New Orleans RFC for the 2018-2019 season. He played in a pre-season match in December with NOLA Gold and joined the team in 2019. He spent most of his time playing for New Orleans Rugby Football Club in 2019.

Following the 2019 MLR season, he played with NOLA Gold in the Rugbytown 7s with the team finishing in third place.

NOLA Gold Comments

Ryan Fitzgerald, General Manager said “Kevin is a true professional. His attention to detail and willingness to do anything for the team directly reflects his successful transition to Hooker. A smart player that leads by example, and we are proud to have him back in Gold!”