Conor O’Shea Forced to Retire

Former Ireland international and current London Irish captain Conor O’Shea has been forced to retire because of a persistent ankle injury.

The 31-year-old, who played for Ireland in the 1995 and the 1999 Rugby World Cups, first sustained the injury in a Premiership match against Gloucester just under a year ago.

O’Shea’s hopes of a return to full fitness were finally dashed last week following consultation with his surgeon – following three operations on his ankle.

“I saw the consultant last week, and basically he told me if I keep on going I will run into too much difficulty in the long term. “I will be able to run, but twisting and turning and taking contact would not do my ankle any good at all. It could cause severe long-term problems. I could keep on going. But it would have been getting into a vicious circle of rehab, operations, rehab, operations. That being the case, there was really no choice. That was not a risk worth taking. Had I continued to play, in 10 years time I would not be in a good state.” he said.

To be honest I suppose, it was the news I was expecting. But it wasn’t what I wanted to hear. I am hugely disappointed.

O’Shea joined London Irish in 1995 and made 127 first team appearances.