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John Kevin “Joe Cool” Dorahy

Team of the Century

HERITAGE No: 702

BIRTH: 28 August 1954
Wollongong, NSW

OCCUPATION: Meat Sales Representative; Buyer, 1977; Butcher, 1980

RESIDENCE: Burwood Rd Croydon Park, NSW, 1977; Coniston St Wheeler Height, NSW, 1980

GAME HISTORY

  • St Pius X JRL
  • St Pauls College Bellambi JRL
  • Wollongong Wests Red Devils JRL
  • Wollongong Wests Red Devils RL 1971, 1972, 1973
  • NSW Country RL Firsts v NSW City RL Firsts 1972, 1973
  • NSW Country RL v New Zealand RL 1972
  • Leigh RL (England) 1973-74
  • Wests RL U/23’s 1976
  • Wests RL 2nd Grade 1974, 1977, 1978
  • Wests RL First Grade 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979
  • Wests RL Pre Season Cup 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979
  • Wests RL AMCO Cup 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979
  • Combined Sydney RL (New Zealand Tour) 1976
  • NSW City RL Firsts v NSW Country RL Firsts 1979, 1980
  • NSW RL Firsts v Great Britain RL 1979
  • Manly-Warringah RL 1980, 1981
  • Manly-Warringah RL Pre Season Cup 1980, 1981
  • Manly Warringah RL Tooth Cup 1980, 1981
  • Illawarra RL 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985
  • Illawarra RL KB Cup 1983
  • Illawarra RL National Panasonic Cup 1985
  • North Sydney RL 1987, 1988, 1989
  • North Sydney RL National Panasonic Cup 1988, 1989
  • NSW Country Origin RL v NSW City Origin RL 1988
  • Australia RL v New Zealand RL 1978
  • Hull Kingston Rovers RL (England) 1983-84, 1985-86, 1986-87
  • Hull Kingston Rovers RL (Challenge Cup) 1983-84, 1985-86, 1986-87
  • Hull Kingston Rovers RL (John Player Special Trophy) 1985-86, 1986-87
  • Hull Kingston Rovers RL (Yorkshire Cup) 1985-86, 1986-87
  • Hull Kingston Rovers RL v Queensland RL 1983
  • Hull Kingston Rovers RL (England) v New Zealand RL 1985
  • Hull Kingston Rovers RL (England) v Australia RL 1986
  • Halifax RL (England) (Captain-Coach) 1989-90
  • Halifax RL (Regal Trophy) 1989-90
  • Halifax RL (Yorkshire Cup) 1989-90
  • Wigan RL (Coach) 1993-94
  • Warrington RL (Coach) 1996-97
  • Newcastle Knights RL (Assistant Coach) 1991, 1992, 1993
  • Western Reds RL (Assistant Coach) 1995, 1996
  • Wests RL (Premier Rugby League Team Coach) 2006
  • Rugby League 7’s Tournament (Men of league Team) 2004
  • Harry Sunderland Medal Winner (English Premiership Final) 1983-84
  • Wests RL Team of the 1970’s (Fullback)
  • Wests RL Team of the Century (Reserve) 2004
  • Wests RL Hall of Fame 2009
  • Illawarra RL (Team of Steel) Captain and Fullback 2006
  • Illawarra RL Team of the Century (Reserve Back)
  • Manly-Warringah RL Player No. 275
  • Illawarra Steelers RL Player No. 3
  • North Sydney RL Player No. 848
  • Leigh Leopards RL (England) Player No. 817
  • Hull Kingston Rovers RL (England) Player No. 829
  • Halifax RL (England) Player No. 997

John

Wests Archive would like to thank John Dorahy for generously contributing his time and information in the preparation of this profile.

John Dorahy was born in the city of Wollongong in the Illawarra District. He grew up in the western suburb of Unanderra and was educated at St Pius X Primary School. He later attended St Paul’s College Bellambi (now Holy Spirit College).

His backyard was Unanderra Oval where he spent many an afternoon playing with friends, kicking balls and taking an interest in a range of sports. John had natural talent with good hand eye coordination and peripheral vision. Like many Australian kids of that era, he refined those skills by playing games such as forcings back as well as touch and tackle football.

John first played rugby league at school with St Pius and then St Pauls College. In year five, John was asked to play with the West Wollongong junior team against Gymea Gorillas and then a Shoalhaven knockout competition. In his last year at primary school he played regularly with West Wollongong and the school team.

He remained playing with the juniors until the age of sixteen. He was then selected to play with the West Wollongong First Grade team in 1971. John had just turned seventeen when he made his first appearance with the senior team.

After completing school, John went on to study business management and accounting. His intention was to become involved in the family business, Dorahy Brothers Butchers. By studying at technical college it allowed him time to play professional sport. It also provided a foundation for further education which he has pursued throughout his life.

We won! John calling home from England

John Dorahy 1976

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