Dan Sheehan has been named British and Irish Lions captain for their opening Tour game in Australia this weekend – and he will be supported by his girlfriend, Katherine Egan
Dan Sheehan will captain the British and Irish Lions when they take on the Western Force in their tour opener. And his girlfriend, Katherine Egan, who’s a promising athlete in her own right, will be cheering him on in Perth on Saturday.
Lions skipper Maro Itoje will not be participating in Saturday’s match as Sheehan, who captained Ireland for the first time against Wales in this year’s Six Nations, will lead the team at Optus Stadium. The Leinster hooker is among five starters making their Lions debuts, with Ireland colleagues Garry Ringrose, James Lowe, Joe McCarthy and Josh van der Flier also on that list.
Sione Tuipulotu and Tadhg Beirne are the only two survivors from the XV that lost to Argentina in Dublin last Friday. However, they have been reassigned to inside centre and blindside flanker, respectively.
“Dan Sheehan gets the opportunity to lead the side against Western Force, which is a great honour for him and his family – so congratulations to Dan as he captains the side on his Lions debut,” said Itoje, per the Irish Mirror. “We know the quality and experience the Force have and the opportunity to play against the Lions always brings out special performances from the Super Rugby sides, so we expect them to be at their best.”
Athlete girlfriend
Off the field, Sheehan has been in a long-term relationship with fellow sportsperson Katherine. Egan is currently studying medicine at University College Dublin and also plays for the school’s ladies’ hockey team.
While the pair have kept their romance low-key, they occasionally share snapshots of their life together on social media. Katherine first appeared on Dan’s Instagram feed back in October 2017, when they attended his school’s debutante ball.
Over the years, they’ve travelled to beautiful destinations such as Bali, Indonesia and Santorini together. Katherine is often seen supporting Dan from the stands and is sure to pop up in Australia over the coming weeks.
Family’s rugby past
Born in September 1998, Sheehan is now 26 and hails from a family of four siblings. He has one brother, Bobby, and two sisters, Emma and Susie, along with parents Sinead and Barry, who are often seen cheering him on from the stands at home and abroad.
Originally from Dublin, Sheehan spent three years living in Romania due to his father’s job relocation to Bucharest. Both he and brother Bobby attended the American International School where, despite rugby not being available, Dan kept active with football, softball and swimming.
Upon returning to Ireland, the brothers enrolled at Clongowes Wood College while their parents were working in Poland. Sheehan continued his education at Trinity College Dublin, where he pursued his passion for rugby.
And it turns out rugby is something of a family affair. His dad, Barry, represented UCD during the 1980s and 1990s, and his grandfather Denis once played for Leinster.
Rugby Career
Sheehan signed his first professional contract with Leinster in June 2020 and made his debut in October that same year. He recently extended his contract with Leinster and the IRFU for another two years, which will keep him in the capital until at least 2027.
His first appearance for Ireland was in a Six Nations match against Italy in February 2022. In the final match of that tournament, he scored a try and was named Player of the Match in Ireland’s 26-5 victory over Scotland, securing Ireland’s 12th Triple Crown.
During a showdown with England in March 2023, Sheehan’s two tries secured the 2023 Six Nations title and Ireland’s fourth Grand Slam. The following year, he suffered a serious ACL injury that sidelined him for six months before a triumphant return to the field in January 2025.
