Trevor Brennan

Trevor Brennan

Trevor Brennan at De Danú, his pub in Toulouse
Date of birth	(1973-09-29) 29 September 1973
Place of birth	Leixlip, Ireland
Height	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight	17 st 5 lb (110 kg)
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position	Second row or Flanker
Amateur clubs
Years	Club / team
2001-2002	Barnhall Bective Rangers St Marys College RFC
Professional / senior clubs
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2002-2007	Stade Toulousain	126	(35)
correct as of 6 October 2014.
Provincial/State sides
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
1996-2001	Leinster Rugby	47	(5)
correct as of 6 October 2014.
National team(s)
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
1998-2001	Ireland	12	(0)
correct as of 2007-03-13.

Trevor Brennan (born 29 September 1973) is an Irish former rugby union player. He played for Barnhall, Bective Rangers, St Marys College RFC, Leinster, Stade Toulousain and Ireland, being capped 13 times. He played either in the second row or as a flanker. In 2007 he attacked a fan and was banned for life, later reduced to five years.

Career

Born in Leixlip, Ireland, Brennan began his career with Barnhall. He captained St Mary's College RFC to their only AIB League title in 2000.

Brennan made his debut for the senior Ireland team in a 13-37 defeat against South Africa on 13 June 1998^[1] and went on to make 13 test appearances, including the 1999 Rugby World Cup. During this tournament that Brennan's abrasive image was tested, after a fight with Australia's Toutai Kefu, who was aided by two teammates who held Brennan's arms back.

After leaving Leinster for Stade Toulousain, Brennan fell out of favour with the Irish national team. He subsequently went on to play in three consecutive European Cup finals as part of the Stade Toulousain team, with two wins (Perpingnan 2003, Stade Français 2005) and one defeat (against Wasps 2004).

Ban and retirement

During a Toulouse v Ulster match at the Stade Ernest Wallon on 21 January 2007, Brennan jumped into a section of the crowd housing Ulster supporters and repeatedly struck Ulster fan Patrick Bamford. Brennan alleged afterwards that abuse towards his mother triggered his action. His uncle took this further alleging sectarian abuse had taken place, a claim initially supported by the club before swiftly being retracted.^[2][3] In their investigation of the incident European Rugby found no such abuse took place. They found that Brennan was being baited over the standard of the bar he co-owns in Toulouse.

Brennan announced his retirement on 3 March 2007, before the result of the disciplinary process. For his attack he was banned for life from playing rugby, fined £17,000 and ordered to pay £3,000 compensation to Bamford.^[4]

In June 2007 the ban was reduced to a 5-year suspension following an appeal. It was held that the life ban was 'disproportionate' to the offence. Bamford's recollection of events was recorded in the Independent Appeal Committee Decision's statement.^[5]

Following his retirement Brennan and his family have remained in Toulouse, where he owns an Irish bar. He coached the Toulouse Crabos B under 18 team. Brennan has had occasional columns, written by Gerry Thornley, published in the Irish Times, and has appeared on television as a rugby commentator. After his retirement, he began operating a rugby tours company.

In 2007, Brennan's autobiography Heart and Soul, ghost-written by Gerry Thornley, won the William Hill Irish Sports Book of the Year for his book.^[6]

In 2008 Brennan and Ireland rugby fitness coach Mike McGurn, were part of the Ireland International rules football coaching staff in the International rules series against Australia.^[7] Both Brennan and McGurn played Gaelic football in their youth and were invited by the Irish manager Seán Boylan and the GAA to give their expertise from rugby in the game which is a mix of Aussie Rules and Gaelic football.

References

External links

• Trevor Brennan's Ireland profile
• Brennan Rugby Tours website