Past Pupils

We are very proud of our strong sporting history in Wesley College, and we are very fortunate to have so many past pupils who have achieved international honours in a range of different sports.

Cycling

Rugby

On the rugby field, Leinster and Ireland star Josh Van der Flier (Class of 2011) is our most recently capped full international player, making his debut against England in the 2016 Six Nations Championships. Josh was awarded the Leinster and IRUPA Young Player of the Year Award, and was also picked on the Pro12 Team of the Year in 2016. He was named World Rugby Player of the Year for 2022, an absolutely incredible achievement. Josh was named in the British and Irish Lions squad for the Australia tour in 2025.

Sam Illo (class of 2019) is currently contracted to Connacht Rugby, having made his debut for the western province in 2021. A former Ireland Under-20 international, Sam has continued to develop at provincial level and has also been selected for representative squads such as Emerging Ireland, highlighting his potential within the national system.

Hockey

Alumni Kyle Good, Kirk Shimmins, Mitch Darling and Scott Evans at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Luke Madeley is an international hockey player who has represented Ireland at senior level. A regular member of the national set‑up, he has competed in major international competitions and has been involved in key tournament campaigns, including World Cup qualifiers and FIH events.

Darragh Walsh is a senior international field hockey player who has proudly represented Ireland’s national men’s team since making his debut in 2017. A dynamic midfielder, he has featured across major tournaments including the FIH World Cup, Olympic qualifiers, and the EuroHockey Championship II, where he helped Ireland claim gold.

Sam Hyland has represented Ireland at major events including FIH Nations Cup, EuroHockey Championship II, World Cup qualifiers, and the FIH Pro League, helping the team secure medals at several tournaments—gold at the 2023 EuroHockey Championship II, silver at the 2022 Nations Cup, and bronze at the 2021 EuroHockey Championship II—all while maintaining a prominent role in the squad.

Badminton

Scott Evans still stands as Ireland's most accomplished badminton player. He made history by becoming the first Irishman to compete in Olympic badminton, representing Ireland at the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Games. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Evans achieved a milestone by securing Ireland's first-ever Olympic match win in badminton, advancing to the round of 16 and finishing ninth overall—a record-setting performance for Irish badminton. Domestically, he dominated the Irish National Badminton Championships, clinching the men's singles title eight consecutive times from 2005 to 2012.

Athletics

Renée Crotty is a standout Irish runner specializing in the 800 m with strong credentials across 400 m to 800 m events. She earned her first international appearance for Ireland’s U20 team at the European Junior Championships and helped the national 4×400 m relay squad reach the finals. She has also claimed national championship titles in indoor and 4×400 m relay competitions.

David Bosch is an accomplished Irish sprinter specializing in the 400 m, with strong capabilities across the 200 m and indoor events. He represented Ireland at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou as part of the 4×400 m relay squad and has earned national titles beginning from his days as an U18 athlete.

 International Honours in Sport Boards

 Table of Past Pupils who have achieved full international representation: