Denis Leamy announces time on his career – Rugby News Update
Denis Leamy, the 30-year-old Munster and Ireland back-row has called time on his career after failing to overcome a hip injury. This is Munster’s fourth retirement of the season, and he follows in the footsteps of David Wallace, Mick O'Driscoll and Jerry
Flannery.
Leamy started his career with Rockwell in 1997, winning the Munster Schools Cup before being capped by Ireland at the Schoolboy and U21 levels. Possessing a short temper, Leamy was banned from the U21 World Cup due to a misdemeanour.
Munster's CEO, Garrett Fitzgerald, paid a glowing tribute to the back-row, stating in his parting words that Leamy was a model athlete, who always played to the best of his abilities. He said, "We are obviously very disappointed that Denis has been forced
to call it a day particularly when he is in the prime of his career. An outstanding back-row player throughout his career, I believe his contribution to Munster and Irish Rugby has been inestimable.”
Reflecting on his own career, which has been cut short due to injuries, he said, "I find it hard to put into words how much it has meant to me to play for Munster and Ireland. It was a dream come true and I was very lucky to play with some of the greatest
players ever to wear the jerseys and feel blessed that I was part of winning teams."
Leamy made his professional debut for Munster at the age of 19 after the coach Declan Kidney offered him a development contract. It was a break that he needed and international recognition soon followed. He made his Ireland debut against United States of
America at Lansdowne Road, on November 20, 2004. He would go on to play 57 times for Ireland, starting 41 of those games, and coming on as a substitute a further 16 times. He played his last international match against Wales at Wellington, on October 8, 2011.
His proudest moment at rugby was certainly winning the two Heineken Cups with Munster, firstly in 2006 and then against Toulouse in 2008, when he scored his team’s only try.
Leamy, at the end, thanked all the fans who came out to support him in his career.
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