Donncha O'Callaghan announces his retirement
- 2339
Donncha O'Callaghan has announced his retirement from professional rugby.
Thank You 🏉 https://t.co/ES1tRqJVov
— Donncha O'Callaghan (@docallaghan4) April 14, 2018
The 39-year-old has said that his match with Worcester Warriors against Harlequins on April 28 will be his last as a player.
"Saturday, April 28, Worcester Warriors versus Harlequins will be my last game as a professional rugby player — if selected," confirmed O'Callaghan to The Times.
"...I’ve announced my intention to retire a couple of times before, when pressed — and once you’re past 30 you’re pressed every time there’s a dictaphone in front of you — but this time I mean it.
"Physically, I feel I can go on. I’m a slow-twitch man; my game never depended on explosive bursts of pace or even power.
"I’m the miner that swings a pick at the coalface, keeps a tempo going and by the end of the shift that effort can make a difference. My numbers aren’t at all far off what they were when I was at my peak in about 2007. Also, I have the benefit of experience now, plus the quality of leadership..."
O'Callaghan debuted for Munster in 1998 and played with the province before being granted an early release from his contract to join English Premiershup side Worcester Warriors in 2015.
He also had the honour of representing The British and Irish Lions in both the 2005 and 2009 tours.
His Munster career has been successful: winning two Heineken Cups and numerous Domestic Leagues.
He made a move to Sixways in September 2015, joining Worcester Warriors after 17 seasons with Munster Rugby.
In his first season at Sixways, the Irish star played in every single Premiership game and became an all-important component of the side,
