The passing of Wally O'Connell.

[Harvies elbow]

A Sea Eagles great passed away today in Wally O'Connell aged 94.
A great 5/8 from Easts also coached the Sea Eagles.
Arko rates him up there with Bozo & Cliffy..... enough said !!

 

[winnyason]

He a legend of our club. As young kid realised he status upon reading sea eagle has landed.

 

[brad]

Rest in peace wal, catch you in Eagle heaven one day.

 

[mave]

He a legend of our club. As young kid realised he status upon reading sea eagle has landed.

100% with you.
The Sea Eagle has Landed introduced me to generations of players I wasnt alive to see.

RIP Wally

 

[Harvies elbow]

O'Connell played in the 51-52 seasons captain coaching Manly to its 1st grand final against Souths but couldn't play because of a fractured wrist.
Most significantly he sat out the 1950 season because Easts appealed the residential rule, so that he could honour his contract with the Sea Eagles, costing him his test position against Great Britain as a result.
If I remember reading correctly he took no money from Manly for the season he sat out.
Let's not forget those who dug the well when we drink the water we enjoy today.
RIP Wally.

 

[Chip and Chase]

Must have been some player as he kept Cliffy out of the 60 year anniversary "Dream Team" number 6 jersey. From all reports a great player.

Always sad to lose any Eagle, but Wally was one of the pioneers, taking us to our first ever Grand Final appearance.

Soar high Wally and may you RIP.

 

[Shoe1]

His book "in defence" is great.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

I have a copy.

 

[Harvies elbow]

His book "in defence" is great.

How old would that book be?

 

[brad]

Must have been some player as he kept Cliffy out of the 60 year anniversary "Dream Team" number 6 jersey. From all reports a great player.

Always sad to lose any Eagle, but Wally was one of the pioneers, taking us to our first ever Grand Final appearance.

Soar high Wally and may you RIP.

Ive got that photo on my wall in entertaining area and i just got up and checked it , spot on he's there in the 6 , cliffy on the bench . Must of went ok.

 

[sheridanstand78]

Vale Wally O'Connell. One of our early greats who left Easts and came over and established the foundation of our club. Condolences to his family and friends. A true Manly Sea Eagles legend!!

 

[HoldenV8]

Must have been some player as he kept Cliffy out of the 60 year anniversary "Dream Team" number 6 jersey. From all reports a great player.

Always sad to lose any Eagle, but Wally was one of the pioneers, taking us to our first ever Grand Final appearance.

Soar high Wally and may you RIP.

Anyone who could keep not only Cliffy but also Bozo from an all-time Manly #6 jumper must have had talent.

RIP Wally O'Connell. There are no brussels sprouts in Sea Eagle heaven.

 

[Shoe1]

How old would that book be?

It's from 2005

ISBN 0646450735

Author Wally O'Connell

 

[Harvies elbow]

It's from 2005

ISBN 0646450735

Author Wally O'Connell

Thanks Shoe I'll hunt it down.

 

[Shoe1]

Thanks Shoe I'll hunt it down.

Ps I bought it from the club. The shop may have them?

 

[globaleagle]

Here's the link to the club's write up.

R.I.P Wally.

http://www.seaeagles.com.au/news/2017/06/28/passing_of_wally_o_c.html

 

[manlyfan76]

Vale Wally.
You showed us how to be Manly all those years ago.
Condolences to your family.

May you enjoy the view from up there on Sat as we get a win for you.

 

[EagleGT]

Heard Arko on Talkin' Sport yesterday. Described Wally as the best defender he has ever seen. Said that no-one ever got past him. Terry Randall was the hardest hitter ever, but Wally was the best overall defender. RIP.

 

[Brissie Kid]

Very dissapointed the Sydney sports media who seem to now run stories everytime some VFL or Socceroo neville that no one in NSW or QLD ever heard of in their playing days passes away couldn't find three words to cover a rugby league player who was a star for a decade in Sydney playing for his clubs, NSW and the Kangaroos in front of 10s of thousands of people. If Australia's oldest Test cricket captain passed away it would be news everywhere.

Something from the NRL video here:
https://twitter.com/NRL/status/880297267382558720

 

[Brissie Kid]

https://twitter.com/Alfering/status/849736273086500864