J. J. McCoy (rugby union) explained

J.J. McCoy
Birth Name:James Joseph McCoy
Birth Date:28 June 1958
Birth Place:Enniskillen, Northern Ireland[1]
Occupation:Royal Ulster Constabulary officer
Ru Position:Prop Forward
Ru Clubyears:197x–1985
1985–199x
Ru Proclubs:Dungannon
Bangor
Ru Province:Ulster
Ru Provinceyears:1978–199x
Ru Nationalteam:Ireland U23
Ireland B
Ireland
Ru Nationalyears:1979
1979–1982
1984–1989
Ru Nationalcaps:1
2
16
Ru Nationalpoints:0
0
0

James Joseph McCoy (born 28 June 1958), also referred to as J.J. McCoy or Jimmy McCoy, is a former Ireland rugby union international. He was a member of the Ireland team that won the 1985 Five Nations Championship and the Triple Crown. He also represented Ireland at the 1987 Rugby World Cup. While playing for Ireland, McCoy was also a serving Royal Ulster Constabulary officer.

Playing career

Clubs and province

McCoy played rugby union at senior club level for Dungannon[2] [3] [4] and Bangor.[5] [6] He also played for Ulster in the IRFU Interprovincial Championship, making his debut against Munster at Ravenhill in 1978 aged 19.[7] On 14 November 1984 McCoy was a member of an Ulster team that defeated a touring Australia 15–13 at Ravenhill.[8]

Ireland

Between 1984 and 1989 McCoy made 16 full senior appearances for Ireland.[9] He had previously represented Ireland at Under-23 [2] and B levels.[3] He made his senior debut on 4 February 1984 against Wales in an 18–9 defeat.[9] He was a member of the Ireland team that won 1985 Five Nations Championship and the Triple Crown.[7] He also represented Ireland at the 1987 Rugby World Cup.[10] McCoy made his final appearance for Ireland on 18 November 1989 against New Zealand.[11]

Appearances
1984 Five Nations Championship1
1984 Australia[12] 1
1985 Five Nations Championship4
1985 Japan(2)
1985 Fiji(1)
1986 Five Nations Championship1
1987 Rugby World Cup1
1988 Millennium Trophy1
1988 France(?)
1988 Western Samoa1
1988 Italy1
1989 Five Nations Championship4
1989 North America(2)
1989 New Zealand[13] [14] 1
Total16
Notes

RUC officer

McCoy joined the Royal Ulster Constabulary on leaving school and was a serving officer during the Troubles. He initially served in Dungannon as a community officer. However he was subsequently transferred to Bangor. In a 2012 Irish Examiner interview with his former Ireland teammate, Donal Lenihan, McCoy says he was moved after the RUC received a warning of a threat to his life. McCoy denied receiving a bullet in the post from the IRA. When travelling to Dublin to play for Ireland, McCoy was escorted by Garda Síochána Special Branch officers.[15] [7]

Honours

Ireland
Ulster

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bonds no bomb can kill. www.independent.ie. 17 February 2019. 30 January 2005.
  2. Web site: Ireland V Holland. www.irishrugby.ie. 17 February 2019. 13 October 1979. 5 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191205144037/https://www.irishrugby.ie/history/css/arch_history_73.htm. dead.
  3. Web site: Ireland B V England B. www.irishrugby.ie. 17 February 2019. 4 December 1982. 5 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191205143955/https://www.irishrugby.ie/history/css/arch_history_66.htm. dead.
  4. Web site: Ireland V Japan. www.irishrugby.ie. 17 February 2019. 2 June 1985. 5 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191205144046/https://www.irishrugby.ie/history/css/arch_history_77.htm. dead.
  5. Web site: Ireland V France. www.irishrugby.ie. 17 February 2019. 22 May 1988. 5 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191205144046/https://www.irishrugby.ie/history/css/arch_history_77.htm. dead.
  6. Web site: Ireland V United States. www.irishrugby.ie. 17 February 2019. 9 September 1989. 5 December 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191205144048/https://www.irishrugby.ie/history/css/arch_history_78.htm. dead.
  7. Web site: 'I knew something was wrong when 20 plain clothes gardaí turned up at Irish training'. www.irishexaminer.com. 16 February 2019. 6 April 2012.
  8. Web site: Down Memory Lane: Ulster heroes of 84 are reunited one more time. www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 17 February 2019. 11 November 2009.
  9. Web site: JJ McCoy. espn.co.uk. 16 February 2019.
  10. Web site: Ireland (13) 32 – 9 (3) Tonga (FT). espn.co.uk. 17 February 2019. 3 June 1987.
  11. Web site: JJ McCoy. espn.co.uk. 16 February 2019.
  12. Web site: Great Wallaby Tries: 84 Grand Slam v Ireland. www.greenandgoldrugby.com. 17 February 2019. 12 November 2009.
  13. Web site: Should the Irish players be singing Amhrán na bhFiann at the World Cup in New Zealand?. www.irishexaminer.com. 17 February 2019. 8 October 2011.
  14. Web site: In 1989 Ireland faced the Haka and paid the price. www.irishtimes.com. 17 February 2019. 16 November 2018.
  15. Web site: Bonds no bomb can kill. www.independent.ie. 17 February 2019. 30 January 2005.