Personal information
Full nameNeville Alan Callaghan
Born(1936-02-17)17 February 1936
Rockhampton, Queensland
Died3 December 2016(2016-12-03) (aged 80)
Rockhampton, Queensland
Playing information
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1950 Colts  ?
1951–59 Fitzroys  ?
Total 0 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1956 Central Queensland 1
1959 Queensland 1

Neville Alan Callaghan (17 February 1936 – 3 December 2016) was an Australian rugby league player, who played one representative game for Queensland in 1959.[1][2]

Rugby league

Spectators in the Nev Callaghan Stand at Browne Park watching an NRL match between the St. George Illawarra Dragons and the North Queensland Cowboys in 2021

Born in Rockhampton, Callaghan became interested in rugby league as a primary school student when Cyril Connell Jnr. took up a teaching position at Allenstown State School in 1947.[3]

After playing the sport at school, Callaghan rose through the junior rugby league grades through the 1950s while playing for local clubs Colts and then Fitzroys.[4] He was acknowledged as being Fitzroys' most improved junior player in 1954.[5]

In 1956, he represented Central Queensland when he played in the second row against New Zealand at the Rockhampton Showgrounds during the 1956 New Zealand rugby league tour of Australia.

Callaghan's career highlight came in 1959 when he was selected to play as a hooker for Queensland in the second game of the 1959 Interstate series at Lang Park on 30 May 1959 as a replacement for an injured Noel Kelly. Playing in a team alongside Elton Rasmussen, Bob Banks, Barry Muir, Paul Pyers, Dud Beattie, Henry Holloway and Jim Paterson, it was seen that Callaghan had a promising rugby league career.[3]

However, that same year Callaghan decided to retire from the sport at the age of 24 due to issues with his knees and his desire to go into business.[4] In later years, Callaghan openly expressed regret at the premature end to his rugby league career.[6] In 2012, Callaghan said he "retired too early" because he "couldn't afford to get hurt".[6]

Despite this, Callaghan continued his involvement with rugby league in Rockhampton.[7] In 2008, a new undercover seating area at Browne Park was named the Nev Callaghan Stand in his honour, in recognition of his service to the sport.[3]

Business

With Mick Docherty, Callaghan established a local automotive dealership in Rockhampton called DC Motors in 1959.[8] The business grew to become a respected company in Central Queensland which continues to trade although Docherty died in 1981 with Callaghan selling the business in 2006.[9]

Death

Callaghan died on 3 December 2016, prompting tributes from various sporting, political and community figures.[3][4][6][8]

References

  1. ↑ "Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  2. ↑ "Queensland team (Game 2)". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Gately, Michelle (4 December 2016). "'A heart as big as Phar Lap': Nev Callaghan remembered". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 Holdsworth, Matty (7 December 2016). "Remembering a league legend". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  5. ↑ "Fitzroy Football Club's Victory Social". The Morning Bulletin. 18 October 1954. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 Kennedy, Alan (8 February 2012). "League is for life says Callaghan". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  7. ↑ Paradies, Kara (15 June 2012). "Getting pumped for televised game". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  8. 1 2 Pearce, Frazer (7 December 2016). "Nev Callaghan: A life full of humour, hard work and loyalty". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  9. ↑ Lightfoot, Jenny (28 June 2013). "Workplace more like being with extended family at DC Motors". The Morning Bulletin. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
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