Sadly the rugby league world has been hit by some very sad news as confirmed by Wakefield Trinity that former coach Shane McNally has passed away at the age of 69.
The former Wakefield boss passed away in Canada sadly as he was preparing to come back to the UK to meet some old friends.
A great coach, he was also a great player as seen by the fact he was selected for Queensland in 1983.
He played for Northern Suburbs, Western Suburbs and Eastern Suburbs in a career that spanned over a decade.
He joined Wakefield Trinity in 2001 as assistant to Peters Roe and the took charge of the side in July 2002.
He would go on to work alongside former Man of Steel Adrian Vowles and lead Wakefield Trinity to what is still their second highest Super League finish in 2004 of sixth.
However, come 2005 he departed the club in June returning to Australia.
He has sadly passed away today at the age of 69.
Wakefield have paid tribute to him sharing the following tribute from Trinity Heritage:
“Shane was a Queenslander and born in May 1954 playing as a prop forward and hooker at Northern Suburbs (now the Norths Devils), Western Suburbs (now Wests Panthers) and Eastern Suburbs Tigers (now Brisbane Tigers) between 1974 and 1984, winning various grade Grand Finals. He also assisted Gatton Hawks winning the Ipswich Grand Final in 1978.
“He played 107 games for the Tigers, and he won the 1982 State League and 1983 Premiership. He was also an accomplished goal kicker and holds the goals (406) and points (871) scoring records at the Tigers. He also represented Queensland in 1983, touring the UK on their tour playing against Lees (kicking four goals in a 40-2 win) and Wigan (kicking seven goals in a 58-2 win).
“After retirement he started his coaching journey with Easts Tigers, taking the Under19s to the 1992 Premiership. He progressed to development work with the Queensland rugby league, moving to Darwin in 1998.
“In November 2001, he arrived in the UK and became assistant coach at Wakefield Trinity with Peter Roe as first team coach, taking over in temporary charge when Roe moved on in July 2002. His first match was a 22-22 home draw with Wides, a Trinity side that featured Martyn Holland, Martin Moana, David March, Jamie Field and fellow-Aussies, Deon Bird, Andrew Frew, Brad Davis, Troy Slattery and Damon Keating. After a 31-24 win in London, after trailing O-18 at half time, he was appointed Football Manager / Coach and Adrian Vowles was brought in as a player-coach.
“After a last day, 50-10 home win over Warrington, Trinity survived in Super League.
Trinity finishing in eleventh in 2003 with Ben Jeffries, Gareth Ellis, Colum Halpenny, Michael Korkidas and Jamie Rooney joining the team but Vowles moved on, leaving McNally in sole command for 2004.
“It was a season still talked about to this day, finishing sixth in Super League and winning an epic playoff game at Hull, before an 18-14 loss at Wigan after leading 14-0. He won the Super League ‘Coach of the Year’ award in 2004 before a bad run in the Spring of 2005 saw Trinity sack him in June, as Trinity won just one in seven games and six in 20 games throughout the season, 70-point drubbings at Harlequins and Leeds not helping the cause. The last of his 92 games was a 40-22 loss at Huddersfield on 19th June 2005. He won 34 of those 92 games, winning 25 of 55 whilst in sole command.”
⚜️Everyone at the club is deeply saddened at the tragic news of the passing of Shane McNally, one of our most successful coaches and a great friend to the club.
Our condolences go out to his family at this very sad time.
The below tribute has been produced by @TrinityHeritage pic.twitter.com/If3An9b8Or
— Wakefield Trinity (@WTrinityRL) August 15, 2023
Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.
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