(Reuters) – Ireland’s Andrew Conway, a wing for the national team, has made the tough decision to retire from professional rugby at 32 due to a knee injury, according to an announcement from his club Munster on Thursday.
Conway leaves behind an impressive career, having earned 30 caps for Ireland and scoring 15 tries. His notable performances include two tries in last year’s Six Nations, where Ireland won the Triple Crown and finished as runners-up to France. Throughout his time with Munster, he played in 150 matches and scored 50 tries.
In a statement, Conway expressed his disappointment at having to retire, attributing it to a knee injury and acknowledging the immense effort put in by medical staff to help him recover. He also reflected on the honor of representing Ireland, describing it as a dream come true and expressing pride in singing the national anthem alongside his teammates in front of loved ones.
“Unfortunately, I have been advised to retire from professional rugby because of a knee injury,” Conway said. “Playing for Ireland was my dream come true. Singing the national anthem with my team mates, watched on by family and friends was the proudest I’ve ever been.”
The announcement marks the end of a remarkable career for Conway, who has left a lasting impact on the sport. His retirement is a loss not only for Ireland and Munster but for rugby as a whole.
The news of Conway’s retirement has sent shockwaves through the rugby world, with fans and fellow players expressing their support and admiration for the wing’s contributions to the sport. Despite his premature exit, Conway’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of rugby players.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
