Dean Lonergan

Dean Robert Lonergan MNZM is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer, and current events promoter. He was the promoter of Jeff "The Hornet" Horn who won the WBO Welterweight World Championship against Manny Pacquiao in 2017.[2] He was also the promoter of rising heavyweight Justis Huni and IBF Cruiserweight Champion Jai Opetaia before both parted company with Lonergan after the promoter fell out of favour with Fox Sports in December 2022.[3][4][5]

Dean Lonergan
Lonergan in 2012
Personal information
Full nameDean Robert Lonergan
Playing information
PositionSecond-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
City-Newton Dragons
19??–89 Glenora Bears
1988 Canberra Raiders 4 0 0 0 0
1989 Rochdale Hornets
1986–87 Bramley RLFC 8 0 0 0 0
Total 12 0 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1986–91 Auckland
1986–91 New Zealand 15 4 0 0 16
Source: [1]

Playing career

Lonergan represented the New Zealand national rugby league team from 1986 to 1991 and also represented Auckland. He played for the Glenora Bears and City Newton Dragons in the Auckland Rugby League competition and the Canberra Raiders in the NSWRL Premiership.[6] He spent 1989 with the Rochdale Hornets in England.[7]

In a Test match against Australia in Melbourne in 1991, Lonergan clashed famously with Kangaroo forward Steve Roach and had to be carried from the field.[8] However he returned to the field and New Zealand won the match.

Warriors

Lonergan was a board member of the Auckland Warriors from 1996 until 1997.[6]

Personal life

Lonergan was educated at Massey High School and was part of the breakfast show on LiveSPORT radio. He was also a columnist for The New Zealand Herald.[9] He is the owner of Dean Lonergan Events Ltd and the promoter of the Fight for Life charity boxing events.[10] Following the resignation of Robert Muldoon, Lonergan stood in the 1992 Tamaki by-election for a seat in the 43rd New Zealand Parliament, as a stunt for Radio Hauraki.[11] Of 14 candidates, he came sixth with 0.60% of the votes.[12] Dean Lonergan now runs D&L Events along with his son Liam Lonergan.

Honours

In the 2012 Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee Honours, Lonergan was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sport and philanthropy.[13]

References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. "Manny Pacquiao beaten by Jeff Horn in one of boxing's greatest upsets". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 2 July 2017. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
  3. "Huni makes call on future after split with promoter". wwos.nine.com.au. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  4. "'Next chapter is going to be huge': Jai Opetaia's knockout legal blow in bitter contract dispute". Fox Sports. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  5. "Justis Huni, promoter Dean Lonergan part ways with Fox Sports after deal - UK Sports News". 1 February 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  6. Profile at BSport.co.nz Archived 31 January 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Rochdale Hornets v Oldham Division 2, 1 December 1991
  8. Deane, Steve (23 October 2009). "Top 10 moments in Kiwi league". The New Zealand Herald. APN Holdings NZ Limited. Retrieved 5 February 2010.
  9. Lonergan, Dean (24 November 2008). "Kiwis' success should Sparc rethink from bureaucrats". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  10. Lonergan's the Main Man New Truth & TV Extra, 28 May 2004
  11. Masters, Catherine (2 June 2006). "Hard man's new game plan". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  12. Voting Statistics for the Electoral Referendum Held on 19 September 1992, The Tamaki By-Election Held on 15 February 1992 (Report). Electoral Commission.
  13. "Queen's Birthday and Diamond Jubilee honours list 2012". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 4 June 2012. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
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