Neville Alan Callaghan (17 February 1936 – 3 December 2016) was an Australian rugby league player, who played one representative game for Queensland in 1959.

Rugby league

Born in

Rockhampton Rockhampton is a city in the Rockhampton Region of Central Queensland, Australia. The population of Rockhampton in June 2021 was 79,967, Estimated resident population, 30 June 2018. making it the fourth-largest city in the state outside of the ...

, Callaghan became interested in rugby league as a primary school student when Cyril Connell Jnr. took up a teaching position at

Allenstown State School Allenstown State School is a heritage-listed state school at 13–33 Upper Dawson Road, Allenstown, Rockhampton, Rockhampton Region, Queensland, Australia. It was built in 1884 by Department of Public Works. It was added to the Queensland H ...

in 1947. After playing the sport at school, Callaghan rose through the junior rugby league grades through the 1950s while playing for local clubs Colts and then Fitzroys. He was acknowledged as being Fitzroys' most improved junior player in 1954. In 1956, he represented Central Queensland when he played in the second row against New Zealand at the

Rockhampton Showgrounds The Rockhampton Showgrounds is a multipurpose recreational venue in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. It is situated in the suburb of Wandal. History It was opened in its current location in 1886 by the Fitzroy Pastoral, Agricultural and H ...

during the

1956 New Zealand rugby league tour of Australia The 1956 New Zealand rugby league tour of Australia was the eighteenth tour by New Zealand's national rugby league team, and the thirteenth tour to visit Australia. The fifteen-match tour included three Test Matches. The touring team began with ...

. Callaghan's career highlight came in 1959 when he was selected to play as a

hooker Hooker may refer to: People * Hooker (surname) Places Antarctica * Mount Hooker (Antarctica) * Cape Hooker (Antarctica) * Cape Hooker (South Shetland Islands) New Zealand * Hooker River * Mount Hooker (New Zealand) in the Southern Alps * Hoo ...

for Queensland in the second game of the 1959 Interstate series at

Lang Park Lang Park, also known as Brisbane Football Stadium, by the sponsored name Suncorp Stadium, and nicknamed: 'The Cauldron', is a multi-purpose stadium in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, located in the suburb of Milton. The current facility co ...

on 30 May 1959 as a replacement for an injured Noel Kelly. Playing in a team alongside

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Barry Muir Barry Muir (18 September 1937 – 2 September 2022) was an Australian professional rugby league footballer and coach. An Australian and Queensland representative , he played in twenty-two Tests between 1959 and 1964, as captain on two occasions. ...

Paul Pyers Paul Francis "Pope" Pyers (13 March 1935 – 12 June 2016) was an Australian rugby league player in both the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) competition and in Queensland. A versatile performer, he played in every position from fullba ...

, Dud Beattie,

Henry Holloway Henry Holloway (1931–1999) was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach. A national representative forward, he played club football in New South Wales and Queensland and represented both states. Holloway later coached in Brisbane. C ...

and Jim Paterson, it was seen that Callaghan had a promising rugby league career. However, that same year Callaghan decided to retire from the sport at the age of 24 due to issues with his knees and his desire to go into business. In later years, Callaghan openly expressed regret at the premature end to his rugby league career. In 2012, Callaghan said he "retired too early" because he "couldn't afford to get hurt". Despite this, Callaghan continued his involvement with rugby league in Rockhampton. In 2008, a new undercover seating area at

Browne Park Browne Park is a rectangular football stadium located in the Rockhampton suburb of Wandal, Queensland, Australia. The venue has been the home of rugby football in Central Queensland since 1890 and today also hosts rugby union and soccer matc ...

was named the Nev Callaghan Stand in his honour, in recognition of his service to the sport.

Business

With Mick Docherty, Callaghan established a local automotive dealership in Rockhampton called DC Motors in 1959. The business grew to become a respected company in Central Queensland which continues to trade although Docherty died in 1981 with Callaghan selling the business in 2006.

Death

Callaghan died on 3 December 2016, prompting tributes from various sporting, political and community figures.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Callaghan, Nev 1936 births 2016 deaths Australian rugby league players Queensland rugby league team players Rugby league players from Rockhampton, Queensland