CONNACHT HAVE CONFIRMED that second row Craig Clarke will retire from professional rugby with immediate effect.
The New Zealander, who won two Super Rugby titles with the Chiefs, has suffered “a number of concussions over an extended period of time” and makes his decision based on the medical advice of specialists in Ireland and abroad.
Clarke joined Connacht last summer in what was a major coup for the western province, and swiftly rose to the rank of captaincy. However, February brought news that the 30-year-old had been ruled out ‘indefinitely’ after suffering what was his 10th concussion in 22 months.
A head knock sustained against Saracens in a Heineken Cup clash at Allianz Park in January was at the root of that decision to withdraw Clarke from playing, and he has been “carefully monitored” by medical experts ever since. Unfortunately, the symptoms have shown no signs of clearing in the near future.
While it is of course extremely disappointing the way my career has come to an unexpected end I am, at the same time, so thankful for the opportunities afforded to me through my involvement in the professional game,” says Clarke.
“Of course I understand that health takes priority over sport every time, but I still can’t escape the disappointment that I couldn’t contribute to Connacht Rugby as I would have liked and envisaged before my arrival.
“There will be a lot I’ll remember from my time in Ireland. Naturally, our victory over Toulouse was a huge highlight but there are other little things I’ll never forget. The Connacht fans are like no other I’ve ever encountered. The first time I ran out through the Clan Stand and on to the pitch, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.
“I’ve never experienced such noise and atmosphere, and from within a relatively small stadium. They are an amazing bunch of supporters and I’d like to thank them for making me feel so welcome here.
Myself and my family will now return to New Zealand and start work on our farm there. I will of course be keeping a keen eye on Connacht Rugby and their games next season.
“The birth of our little girl Isabella in Galway means that we will always have a connection with the west of Ireland, and it will be a great excuse to visit again in the not too distant future.”
I was thinking the same yesterday. Can you imagine a player like Aidan O’Shea was left on the bench for a whole game. There would be a mutiny the day after their championship campaign ended.
@Ned Flanders: cheap shot. O’Shea showed he is the ultimate team player by switching to a totally new position over the last 2 games to help the team get over the line. I guess haters are always gonna hate though
@Pepper Brooks: ultimate team player? That particular tactic nearly blew up in mayos face. In the replay he was soloing around his 21 half way through second half and trying 40 yard outside of boot passes that ran out over the line. If kerry hadnt panicked and had taken points earlier rather than going for goals when 7 down it could have been a very different
@Pepper Brooks: O’Shea wouldn’t make the Dublin bench.
Juniors maybe
@johnnyA the game is also about opinions,for you it’s bitter and twisted against Dublin,while us Dublin fan’s are enjoying every minute of this great Team,so happy days for us Ha Ha ha
@alan dodrill: *fans
It’s a great achievement to show humility when you’re strolling through the championship. Fair play to the Dublin/AIG players for being such good winners. If Gavin exerts such control he must endorse or at least turn a blind eye to the playacting. Cooper at it again yesterday. McCarthy and McCaffrey at it the last day – good footballers but while their fans have brought the worst aspects of UK terrace culture to Gaelic Games the players have brought Neymar type playacting into our national sport. Great lads all the same.
@Johnny A: Why not just enjoy the football instead of always having a bitch , life is too short
@Tony Talbot: the football championship used to mean something. Now it’s completely hollow. Very few meaningful contests – certainly none when Dublin/AIG are involved. Instead of mitigating their natural advantages – population, money, home advantage – the GAA have bolstered these and set them in stone. Teams like Tyrone and Monaghan now come up to Croker with ridiculous defensive systems just to keep the score down. The GAA have to look at the population and reconsider a split – for example Dublin North/AIG & Dublin South/HSBC. There should be an equalisation process with the corporate loot – they should be allowed keep 20-30% with the rest being redistributed. And they should be kept out of Croker a lot more – why not make them play an away semi final for example. I’ll enjoy it then.
@Johnny A: have to hand it to you mate you have bitterness to a new level. Short memories like most non dubs. This golden era has more to do wirh jim gavin than anything else.Maybe he should only be allowed manage smaller counties?
@Johnny A: explain 1995 – 2011??
If you split Dublin now you’d risk an all Dublin All Ireland final and that would be worse! Did you see the bench. Dublin A Vs Dublin B would be some game!
Other counties need to stop making excuses… Kerry has the same population as Wicklow as is the most successful football county by far
Also, let’s split Kilkenny into North & South and actually while we’re at what about the most successful football county, Kerry…well over due a split!!
@Brendan Farrell: if you think a 2 way split isn’t enough and they’d still be too strong then a 4 way split would be ideal. Could be 4 Dublin zones – AIG1, AIG2, AIG3, AIG4. Have their own provincial championship. The metropolitan cup or something like that.
@paddy: I wouldn’t call it bitterness – more like constructive hate.