Phil O’Callaghan, the former Ireland and Munster prop known to everyone in Cork rugby as “Philo”, has died in Dublin at the age of 83 after a short illness. His club, Dolphin RFC, confirmed his death on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
From Ballyphehane to Lansdowne Road
O’Callaghan grew up in Ballyphehane in Cork and played hurling, Gaelic football and soccer as a teenager before joining Dolphin at 16. He started in the second row before moving to the front row, and played for the club for more than 20 years.
He made his Ireland debut against Australia at Lansdowne Road in 1967, and that year was part of the first Munster side to beat Australia. He toured Australia with Ireland later in 1967 and was in the team that beat the home side in Sydney. He won 21 caps, playing on both sides of the scrum, and his last Test was against the All Blacks in Wellington on the 1976 tour. He played 34 times for Munster.
Barbarian and coach
O’Callaghan played six times for the Barbarians in 1969 and 1970, alongside Welsh greats such as Barry John, Gareth Edwards and JPR Williams. After retiring he coached Dolphin and Sundays Well, and he was inducted into the Munster Rugby Hall of Fame in 2016.
Tributes
Former Ireland captain Terry Kingston, who joined Dolphin in 1982 when O’Callaghan was coaching its under-20s, said: “Philo was an absolute legend here at Dolphin for both his personality and his rugby exploits with club, province and country.” He added: “He became my coach, my mentor and my friend.”
O’Callaghan lived in Ashtown, Dublin, in recent years. He is survived by his wife Anne, his brother Paddy and his sisters Marie and Eileen. Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.