Tony O’Reilly: The Rugby Prodigy Who Shaped a Legacy

Tony O’Reilly, a remarkable talent in rugby, made an unforgettable impact during the 1955 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa. At just 19 years old, he scored two tries in his debut match and played in all four test matches against a South African team widely considered the best in the world at the time. O’Reilly’s performance included a remarkable total of 15 tries throughout the tour, making him the top scorer.

In the first test match held in Johannesburg, the Lions triumphed over the Springboks with a score of 23-22. The Sunday Press noted, “His speed shook the Springboks,” highlighting O’Reilly’s significant contribution to the win. A photograph from the match featured a caption that praised his individual efforts, stating, “The fast-running Tony O’Reilly, whose great individual efforts were rewarded by scoring a try.” O’Reilly continued to shine, scoring another try in the fourth test, although the Springboks ultimately won the match 22-8, resulting in a shared series at 2-2.

O’Reilly’s talent extended beyond rugby. He earned his first Irish international cap in January 1955, just two months after being dubbed an “up-and-coming boy wonder” by the Sunday Press, which was then Ireland’s best-selling newspaper. Standing at 6 feet 3.5 inches and weighing 14 stone, O’Reilly was not only a rugby star but also excelled in cricket, tennis, and soccer. His achievements included four School Cup medals in tennis and significant success in cricket, where he was recognized as a provincial player.

A Dual Legacy: Rugby and Business

After his rugby career, O’Reilly transitioned to the business world, where he made a significant mark. He began as the general manager of An Bord Báinne, the Irish Dairy Board, overseeing the launch of the internationally successful Kerrygold butter brand. He later became the chairman and chief executive of the prominent US food group Heinz and acquired the Waterford Wedgwood crystal glass and ceramics brands.

O’Reilly also ventured into media, becoming a notable figure in the industry. His ownership expanded to 128 newspapers and various radio and television interests across multiple countries, including Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, and the UK. In 1973, he gained control of the Irish Independent group and, five years later, became the majority owner of Ireland’s best-selling Sunday World. He eventually took full control of the Independent Group and supported the Sunday Tribune financially from the early 1990s.

Despite his successes, O’Reilly’s investments were not without challenges. His financial backing of the Sunday Press and its associated publications led to scrutiny. The State’s Competition Authority determined that O’Reilly’s Independent group had engaged in practices amounting to “very serious breaches” of the Competition Act. The Sunday Press group collapsed in May 1995, and O’Reilly was ousted from Independent News & Media (INM) in 2009.

The End of an Era

As O’Reilly’s business ventures faltered, the value of his shares in INM and Waterford Wedgwood plummeted, signaling a downward spiral that coincided with his serious health issues and eventual bankruptcy. Vincent Crowley, O’Reilly’s long-serving chief executive at INM, later stated regarding the value of the Press shareholding in annual reports: “Zero.”

Tony O’Reilly’s life is a testament to both dazzling achievements in sports and significant influence in the business world. His legacy in rugby, marked by record-setting performances, remains unparalleled, while his complex business career reflects the unpredictable nature of success.