Ulster, Ireland and Lions winger Tommy Bowe has announced he will retire from rugby at the end of the current season.
The 33-year-old, who toured with the Lions in 2009 and 2013, and won 69 Ireland caps, has endured a torrid time with injury over the last couple of seasons.
He took to Twitter this evening said that he would be bringing an end to his playing career shortly, with Ulster officially confirming the news soon after.
Here’s how social media reacted:
SOCIAL REACTION:
I’ve spent most of my career in Belfast,
At first George said I wasn’t very fast,
I eventually found my gears,
Had some incredible years,
But it’s time to tell you – this is my last! pic.twitter.com/KZa8Rwk4G1— Tommy Bowe (@TommyBowe14) January 15, 2018
Pleasure pal! Awesome to have played both with and against you! 👊🏼
— George North (@George_North) January 16, 2018
Congratulations on a brilliant career Tommy lad. Great servant to @UlsterRugby & @IrishRugby and not forgetting the mighty @RSARugby!! Best of luck on your next venture fella
— Gareth Steenson (@steeno10) January 16, 2018
Capped 69 times for Ireland and scored 30 tries. The 2009 Grand Slam winner is calling it a day.https://t.co/ATX36PF6Nz #RTERugby
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) January 15, 2018
Congrats brother,
Not a bad old career infairness 😂👀👀🎯
One of the best to ever do it💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/mVKNjP4uDZ— Simon Zebo (@SimonZebo) January 15, 2018
One of the greatest photos ever taken. 😂
Tommy Bowe you absolute hero. 👏🏻
Rugby won’t be the same without you. #rugby 📸 rugbylad @TommyBowe14 @IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/puTrjSvzpE— Rugby Punk (@RugbyPunk1823) January 16, 2018
Tommy Bowe was amazing at the Ospreys.
Test level at wing and 13.
Excellent fullback too.
Even amongst the Osprey’s ‘Galacticos’ of the late 2000s, he stood out.
— Paul Williams (@thepaulwilliams) January 15, 2018
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
— Jacques Burger (@Nabasboer) January 16, 2018
Big time Tommy!! Congrats mate on an awesome career.. great bloke to enjoy a beer with after a game too.. can’t dance tho 😂
— Matt Giteau 🇦🇺 (@giteau_rugby) January 15, 2018
Congrats on an amazing career, true legend of the sport. Best of luck in the future.
— Horacio Agulla (@horacitoagulla) January 16, 2018
congrats roomie, what a great career! All the best mate, Blade
— Mike Blair (@mikeblair9) January 15, 2018
Well done mate
— Tim Visser (@timbovisser) January 15, 2018
A cracking career pal, Congratulations on all you e achieved. Good luck in your next chapter 👏🏾
— ugo monye (@ugomonye) January 15, 2018
With 36 tries in 77 games for the Ospreys between 2008-12, 4th in the all time list, and two league titles, you won’t be forgotten in these parts either, whatever you do next 👍👋 pic.twitter.com/Rn8FQXfftE
— Ospreys (@ospreys) January 15, 2018
Legend. 👏
— David Flatman (@davidflatman) January 15, 2018