LEICESTER TIGERS CAPTAIN and former Irish international Geordan Murphy has announced his decision to retire from professional rugby at the end of the current season.
Murphy, 35, has made 322 appearances for Leicester following his debut in 1997.
In that time he has amassed 691 points for the Welford Road outfit and racked up 72 Ireland appearances as well as two caps with the British and Irish Lions.
“Every player wants to play on forever but, unfortunately, your body just doesn’t let you do that. It’s with a very heavy heart that I have had to accept defeat and announce that I will retire from playing this season.
“I have been very lucky with Leicester to win a fair amount of silverware and I am looking forward to looking back on that at some stage – it still hasn’t really sunk in.”
Murphy, who retired from Ireland duty in May 2012, went on to thank Leicester fans for the support they’ve shown him over the years.
” Welford Road is a very special place, it is very dear to my heart, as are the supporters. I have been here a long time, stayed here when I could have left, and I think the supporters and Welford Road played a huge part in the reason I am still here after 16 seasons.
The Tigers director of Rugby Richard Cockerill was keen to heap praise on Murphy saying:
“Geordan is an all-time great at this club. He has been a major player for us for so long and has had a massive impact on the team in his time here.
“He has played at the very top level of the game for a long time and has been one of the most outstanding players in the history of Premiership rugby.”
Cockerill also confirmed that Murphy would join the Leicester coaching staff when his playing career ends this summer.
I wouldn’t have said 72 caps was a bad figure to finish up with.. Considering he was competing with girv the swerve for the 15 shirt more often than not.
I know, 72 caps is impressive but he spend several periods out of the team while in great form & maybe more effort could’ve been made to find room for him. Anyway, he owes Irish rugby nothing. Hope to see him in the Irish coaching set-up in the future.
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Legend and a gentleman
Unfortunate he didn’t get more opportunities in the Ireland jersey.
I wouldn’t have said 72 caps was a bad figure to finish up with.. Considering he was competing with girv the swerve for the 15 shirt more often than not.
I know, 72 caps is impressive but he spend several periods out of the team while in great form & maybe more effort could’ve been made to find room for him. Anyway, he owes Irish rugby nothing. Hope to see him in the Irish coaching set-up in the future.
If he was playin with one of the provinces he’d have got more games for Ireland.a class player
Smashing player
Legend
Great player gentleman on and off the field
Fantastic gifted player that had natural ability as good as BOD. Best of luck to him here’s hoping a future irish coach.
yep agree with all the above comes from a great Rugby family in Naas
He was a master of the doormat tackle