Liam Thomas Mooney (born 18 May 1972) is a former professional rugby union footballer who played at prop. He is now an entrepreneur living in Monaco with his wife and son.
Education Mooney was educated at St Boniface's Catholic College, Plymouth and graduated from the University of Cambridge (Hughes Hall) in 1996."University of Cambridge graduation list, 1996"Hughes Hall website list of Notable Alumni
Rugby career Mooney began his rugby career with London Irish in 1992, making his debut as a prop against Bath aged 20 years old.The Independent, Club GuideLondon Irish Old Boys Database He represented London Irish in both premiership and European competitions.European Professional Club Rugby Player Archive Mooney played in the club's biggest premiership win, beating Harlequin F.C. 62–14 in April 1998.Talk Rugby Union, London Irish Rugby Union Club Records He was a member of the promotion winning team that took London Irish to the English Premiership in 1996,1995–96 Courage League National Division Two as well as the semi-final of the Pilkington Cup, under the leadership of Sir Clive Woodward. He moved on to play for Blackheath (1998–1999)The Independent, Rugby Union Division 2 Teams and Exeter Chiefs (1999–2001).Rugby Statbunker, RFU Championship Exeter Chiefs All time leading scorers From 1996 in the professional era, Mooney scored 14 tries and made over 100 appearances for his clubs.StatBunker, Rugby Stats – Liam Mooney, 1996–2001 While at Exeter, he played for the English National Divisions and scored the winning try against the Springboks on their 2000 tour of the UK.The Telegraph, Divisions make point During his career, Mooney represented Ireland XV (vs Leinster 1996), Ireland A, Ireland U21, Ireland Students, the BarbariansOfficial Home of the Barbarians, Player Archive and won two Cambridge Blues representing Cambridge University in the winning 1994 and 1995 Varsity matches.Media Store House, Liam Mooney on the charge for Cambridge – Varsity MatchEPCRugby, Match Report, Oct He finished his rugby career at Bristol and Caerphilly where he retired with a chronic knee injury.BBC Sport, Tough task for Caerphilly, Dec 2001
Business career Mooney qualified as a solicitor of England & Wales in November 2000, having trained and worked at international law firm Kennedys and regional legal 500 law firm, Michelmores. In 2002, Mooney founded Blue Pencil, an international legal executive search and recruitment company, where he is currently the managing director.Blue Pencil Legal, an international legal executive search and recruitment consultancy, Founded 2002 Blue Pencil is mentioned in Sidney Korshak's book "How to Land a Legal Job Overseas".Amazon.com – How to Land a Legal Job Overseas by Sidney Korshak
In November 2014, he was named by Arabian Business as 'Business Mentor of the Year'Arabian Business, Winners of 2nd Arabian Business StartUp Awards, Nov 2014Arabian Business, 2014's richest, most powerful and those destined to be the stars of the future, Dec 2014Winners of Arabian Business StartUp Awards, Nov 2014 and was a finalist at the SME Stars of Business Awards in December 2014.Stars of Business AwardsArabian Business Startup and Rising Stars of Business Awards
In August 2015, Mooney was named as a finalist in the Gulf Capital SME Awards, as the “Business Leader of the Year”.2015 Gulf Capital SME Awards finalists announced
The Business End Mooney is the co-founder and host of The Business End, a sports-business leadership network and podcast launched with former Ireland international Justin Fitzpatrick. The platform explores how lessons from elite sport apply to business and leadership, featuring international sports people and business leaders.
Through live events — including The Business End Live Lunch series held in London and internationally — the initiative connects senior business leaders, investors, and athletes whilst promoting the message of sport to business.
References