Clohessy
Peter Clohessy is a retired, Irish rugby union prop who represented the Ireland national team and played for Munster. Find out more about him and his career here.
Peter Clohessy Bio
Peter Clohessy is a retired, Irish rugby union player who represented Ireland at international level and who played at club level with Munster. Primarily a prop, he was famed for his doggedness and his aggressive style of play, he also went by the fitting nickname ‘The Claw’.
Born in Limerick, Ireland in March 1966, Peter Clohessy began his club career in 1987 and barring a short spell with the Queensland Reds in 1997 and some initial time with Young Munster, he spent the vast majority of his playing days with the Irish provincial side.
A firm fan favourite, many believe Peter Clohessy brought a real determination to the Munster team at the peak of his career and he was instrumental in getting his side to the Heineken Cup Finals of 2000 and 2002. While Clohessy was not on the winning team in either of these games, a few honours to his name included Munster’s many IRFU Interprovincial Championship wins in the early 1990s. In total he made over 100 appearances for Munster before hanging up his boots in 2002.
Peter Clohessy’s senior Ireland debut came in 1993 against France during what was the Five Nations (now the Six Nations) tournament of that year. He scored his first try the following year against Australia. While he wasn’t selected for the 1995 Rugby World Cup, he did make the Ireland squad for the 1999 tournament and made two appearances. Clohessy was also set to play for the British & Irish Lions in the 1997 tour to South Africa, but he had to withdraw because of an injury.
Peter Clohessy’s final cap came in 2002 during that year’s Six Nations, bringing his total to 54. This would be despite a lengthy ban he received for an infamous stamp on Olivier Roumat during the 1996 Six Nations.
Following his retirement, Peter Clohessy has had a number of business ventures including owning a nightclub called ‘The Sin Bin. His brother Des Clohessy was also a professional rugby union player.
