- Denis Donoghue (rugby league)
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Denis Donoghue was an Australian rugby league footballer who played for South Sydney during the years of 1948–1957.
South Sydney (1948–1957) 171 games
New South Wales (1950–1954) 10 games
Australia (1951) 2 Tests
One of the toughest and most brutal players to ever play the game,[citation needed] Donoghue was also one of the best front rowers in the code. A rock-solid defender and strong runner of the ball, his specialty was scrummaging. He is regarded[by whom?] as one of Australia's greatest ever scrummagers. He was also peerless as an enforcer.[citation needed]
He debuted for Australia in 1951 against the touring French side, and was selected for the Kangaroo Tour in 1952. He broke his leg on the first trial and missed all six Test matches. He stood down from Test representative duties following it.
He was the backbone of a South Sydney pack that participated in 7 consecutive Grand Finals, winning 6 of them.
After his career, he coached and later became president of the South Sydney club during 1962–1972.
Donoghue died in 1994.
South Sydney squad - 1950 NSWRFL Premiers (12th title) 1. Clive Churchill • 2. John Graves • 3. Kevin Woolfe • 4. Milton Atkinson • 5. Cec Smailes • 6. Greg Hawick • 7. Bill Stewart
8. Denis Donoghue • 9. Ernie Hammerton • 10. Ken Macreadie • 11. Bernie Purcell • 12. Les Cowie • 13. Jack Rayner (ca.)/(co.)South Sydney squad - 1951 NSWRFL Premiers (13th title) 1. Clive Churchill • 2. John Graves • 3. Kevin Woolfe • 4. Milton Atkinson • 5. Harry Wells • 6. Norm Spillane • 7. Ray Mason
8. Denis Donoghue • 9. Ernie Hammerton • 10. Bryan Orrock • 11. Bernie Purcell • 12. Jack Rayner (Capt./Coach) • 13. Les CowieSouth Sydney squad - 1953 NSWRFL Premiers (14th title) 1. Clive Churchill • 2. Ian Moir • 3. Martin Gallagher • 4. Kevin Woolfe • 5. Fred Threlfo • 6. John Dougherty • 7. Ray Mason
8. Denis Donoghue • 9. Ernie Hammerton • 10. Jim Richards • 11. Bob Moon • 12. Jack Rayner (Ca./Co.) • 13. Les CowieSouth Sydney squad - 1954 NSWRFL Premiers (15th title) 1. Clive Churchill • 2. Ian Moir • 3. Martin Gallagher • 4. Greg Hawick • 5. Les Brennan • 6. John Dougherty • 7. Ray Mason
8. Denis Donoghue • 9. Ernie Hammerton • 10. Jim Wilson • 11. Bernie Purcell • 12. Jack Rayner (Ca./Co.) • 13. Les CowieSouth Sydney squad - 1955 NSWRFL Premiers (16th title) 1. Don Murdoch • 2. Ian Moir • 3. Martin Gallagher • 4. Malcolm Spencer • 5. Dale Puren • 6. John Dougherty • 7. Col Donohoe
8. Denis Donoghue • 9. Ernie Hammerton • 10. Norm Nilson • 11. Bernie Purcell • 12. Jack Rayner (Capt./Coach) • 13. Les CowieCategories:- Australian rugby league players
- South Sydney Rabbitohs players
- Australia national rugby league team players
- 1994 deaths
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