Toronto Arrows Announce Signing of Canadian International Fly-Half O’Leary
October 4, 2022 – Major League Rugby (MLR) – Toronto Arrows News Release
TORONTO, ON – The Toronto Arrows are pleased to announce the signing of Canadian international fly-half Shane O’Leary for the 2023 Major League Rugby season.
O’Leary, 29, will arrive at the club following a two-year spell with French side Rouen Normandie, where the 10-year professional plied his trade throughout the 2020-21 and 2021-22 Pro D2 seasons.
“I think something special is building in Toronto, and I want to be a part of it,” said O’Leary. “Just seeing how committed the Arrows are to promoting rugby in Canada and growing the game, it’s an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up.”
“Just look at what happened in 2021 during the pandemic season, with the entire organization moving to Atlanta in order to make sure games were played… this is a team that made it work under extremely tough circumstances, and not many teams could’ve made a herculean task like that work. This is an organization that’s dedicated.”
“After speaking with Bill, Mark, and Pete, and seeing the direction this team and this league is going, I felt this was the right move for my career.”
“The lads who are already here in Toronto, and the new boys coming in, fill me with confidence that I can flourish and get back to enjoying my rugby again. I’m motivated to win and win big in Toronto, and to help bring an MLR Shield to Canada for the first time.”
The five-foot-ten, 200-pound fly-half started his career as a teenager on an academy contract with French side Grenoble in 2013, developing for a season with the Top 14 club prior to returning to his native Ireland to sign with Connacht. O’Leary would feature for three seasons with the Pro 12 outfit before crossing the Irish Sea for a three-year spell in England’s RFU Championship. The product of Ballina, County Tipperary spent the 2017-18 season with Ealing Trailfinders, and later moved north to Nottingham for a pair of campaigns with the Archers; it was at the Midlands club where he notably captured the 2018-19 Championship scoring title, racking up 186 points – 27 points clear of the runner-up – over the 22-match season.
O’Leary has earned 14 caps for Canada since making his international debut against Georgia in June 2017, booting 43 points for his adopted nation. He was a member of Canada’s 2019 Rugby World Cup squad.
He also represented Canada at the 2013 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy in Chile, finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer (45 points).
“It’s going to very special for me to return to Canada to play my rugby,” added O’Leary. “My girlfriend and my mother are both from Canada, and I have always felt welcome in Canada. This country has been such an integral part of my rugby career – my Canadian roots run deep.”
“I have ambitions to kick on and to wear the Maple Leaf again, and there’s no better place to make this happen than coming home to Canada.”
O’Leary’s Canadian connection comes via his mother, who is a native of New Brunswick.
“Shane is a very skilled Canadian player who can play multiple positions, as he’s demonstrated over his accomplished pro career in France, Ireland and the UK,” said Mark Winokur, Toronto Arrows Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. “We are excited to have him sign his first North American contract with us, and we’re looking forward to welcoming him home to Canada.”
The club will be making additional signing announcements in the coming weeks as 2023 season preparations continue to build.
The window to place a deposit to secure 2023 season memberships for the lowest possible price is now open. Earlybird pricing packages for the club’s home matches at York Lions Stadium start at just $70 for a limited time only.
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