Grand Slam and European Cup winner retires - Ruck

Grand Slam and European Cup winner retires

Grand Slam winning scrum-half Tomás O’Leary has announced his retirement from rugby.

The 33-year-old was a key part of the Ireland team that won the 2009 Grand Slam and he also won two Heineken Cups with Munster in 2006 and 2008.

“I have had an incredible career from my academy days in Munster to my last game in Montpellier all of which have been extremely satisfying,” he said in a statement released on Tuesday.


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“I have realised my ambition of representing Munster and Ireland. Wearing the red and green jerseys has been a real honour.

“There’s no hiding away from the fact that my rugby never reached the same heights again (after 2009),

“At the time Munster and Leinster were at the peak of their powers so it was a very intense period.

“You couldn’t get away from it and it was frustrating because I wasn’t playing as often as I would have liked. I needed to get out of that bubble.



“While leaving Munster might not have been a positive in rugby terms, certainly moving to London Irish opened my eyes because I was that bit more anonymous and it gave me the chance to think about and experience things other than rugby.

“I would implore the younger lads in the game to make the most of their opportunities provided to them by the game. In fact, I would say that my life both on and off the field has been much more enjoyable as a result!”