The rugby legend opens up about whether he is a spender or a saver – and the best financial advice he’s ever received
09:14, 24 Apr 2026Updated 09:28, 24 Apr 2026
Donncha O’Callaghan(Image: Instagram)
Donncha O’Callaghan considers himself to be saver rather than a spender as he opens up on his financial habits.
The Ireland rugby legend and presenter prefers to plan how he will spend his money, rather than splurge. Donncha told RSVP Magazine: “I’d like to think I’m a saver. I will plan the spend, if that makes sense.
“I don’t like to be sporadic with money. When different work projects come in, I like to think of the treat at the end of it. My wife Jenny and I are looking at getting an awning in the back garden.”
The biggest purchase Donncha has ever made is his house, but he admits to spending money “like confetti” when he started out in professional rugby.
“There was a lovely time at the start of my rugby career when I started getting a steady income and I spent the money like it was confetti – buying all of the latest DVDs, video games, just daft stuff,” he said. “But when you knuckle down to taking out a mortgage, you’re like, oh, I have to be serious and proper with my money now.”
The best financial advice Donncha has ever received was while he was playing rugby. He said: “I got good advice from the former Ireland team manager Mick Kearney when I was playing rugby.
“He told us to try to pay back as much of your mortgage as you possibly can within your window of play. You’re on a good salary and it’s a good opportunity to take some of that financial pressure off when you come out of it.”
If Donncha won the Lotto, what would he spend the money on?
“Experiences and time with my family,” he answered. “I’d probably be a little bit obnoxious if I won it! There’s no way I’d be able to keep it to myself.
“I would look at different charities and projects I’m involved in and would like to help. I would certainly make sure my family was secure. But money doesn’t have all the answers, sometimes you have to learn the lessons by grafting, and I wouldn’t want to take that drive to graft away from anyone.
“I would definitely buy something silly too, like a giant hot air balloon that would be my only mode of transport.”
Spending money is a necessity most of the time, but there are things Donncha doesn’t enjoy parting ways with his finances for. He said: “There is some stuff you buy for the kids, but you know it’s a fad and you know it’s going to be covered with the dog’s hair down the back of the couch in about three weeks.
“But you just have to go through it! My brother has a problem spending money on bottled water, because you can get it out of a tap, which I have always found funny.”