MUNSTER FLANKER NIALL Ronan has been forced to call time on his career due to a persistent knee injury.
The openside has played 104 times for his adopted province and also won four international caps for Ireland between 2009 and 2011.
The Meathman suffered a knee injury in the week following Munster’s Heineken Cup defeat to Edinburgh, his last appearance in red. A statement from the province today reiterated that his rehabilitation from that injury was unsuccessful and the 31-year-old was forced to undergo surgery late last year.
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The problem has persisted, however, and today Munster have confirmed he will not add to his combined tally of 141 appearances for Munster and Leinster over 11 years.
Ronan was an out and out openside who revelled in broken field, linking play together with good hands and a keen eye for a gap. His 16 tries are testament to that, but he was never in more prolific form than his Magners League hat-trick against Glasgow in 2009.
Ronan used today’s statement to thank his family, players and staff at the southern province and said:
“It has been a huge honour for me to play with such a great team for the past seven years. I’m very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to play with Munster Rugby and I truly enjoyed the experience.”
Billy Stickland / INPHO
Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO
Having recently completed a degree in strength and conditioning, Ronan now plans to return to his home club and roll out a business based on the area that has become his life over the past seven months.
“I will return to my home town of Drogheda and set up a business in the line of work I’ve studied for, focusing on injury rehabilitation. I believe my experience as a professional rugby player will help me in this regard, and I am looking forward to supporting my old club Boyne RFC from the side-lines, going back to where it all began for me.”
'Honoured' Niall Ronan heading home, forced to retire after 104 Munster appearances
MUNSTER FLANKER NIALL Ronan has been forced to call time on his career due to a persistent knee injury.
The openside has played 104 times for his adopted province and also won four international caps for Ireland between 2009 and 2011.
The Meathman suffered a knee injury in the week following Munster’s Heineken Cup defeat to Edinburgh, his last appearance in red. A statement from the province today reiterated that his rehabilitation from that injury was unsuccessful and the 31-year-old was forced to undergo surgery late last year.
The problem has persisted, however, and today Munster have confirmed he will not add to his combined tally of 141 appearances for Munster and Leinster over 11 years.
Ronan was an out and out openside who revelled in broken field, linking play together with good hands and a keen eye for a gap. His 16 tries are testament to that, but he was never in more prolific form than his Magners League hat-trick against Glasgow in 2009.
Ronan used today’s statement to thank his family, players and staff at the southern province and said:
“It has been a huge honour for me to play with such a great team for the past seven years. I’m very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to play with Munster Rugby and I truly enjoyed the experience.”
Having recently completed a degree in strength and conditioning, Ronan now plans to return to his home club and roll out a business based on the area that has become his life over the past seven months.
“I will return to my home town of Drogheda and set up a business in the line of work I’ve studied for, focusing on injury rehabilitation. I believe my experience as a professional rugby player will help me in this regard, and I am looking forward to supporting my old club Boyne RFC from the side-lines, going back to where it all began for me.”
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boyne rfc Injury Knee Meath Niall Ronan openside