Paul McNaughton Has Passed

Pic: INPHO Billy Stickland

einster Rugby have just confirmed that former Greystones RFC player and president Paul McNaughton has died, aged 69…

A big part of Irish rugby, the former Ireland International played inter-county football for Wicklow, lined out for Shelbourne in the League Of Ireland and starred for Greystones and Leinster while winning 15 caps for his country.

Later, he would manage Wicklow and later, Ireland.

McNaughton was inducted into the Leinster Rugby Hall of Fame in 2018. This morning, the organisation described him as “the very definition of a sportsman”.

Born in Bray and educated at St Kevin’s in Greystones, McNaughton was versatile from the start, playing for Bray Emmets in Gaelic football and representing Wicklow in hurling. It was soccer and rugby that would become his real passions though, McNaughton playing for Bray Wanderers before moving to Shelbourne. A club rugby player with Greystones, the Leinster selectors soon came knocking.

Five Nations 1980 McNaughton front left

That first Irish cap arrived shortly after, with the 1978 Five Nations 12-9 win over Scotland at Landsowne Road.

Playing as a centre, McNaughton’s 15th and final cap was against France in the 1981 Five Nations.

Later years saw the move to management, first for Leinster then for Ireland between 2008 and 2011.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.