Retiring Guest Bows Out As Interpro Winner
Experienced Munster and Ireland back rower Laura Guest has announced that she is retiring from rugby after a long and illustrious career.
Laura Guest captained Munster to her tenth Women’s Interprovincial Championship title last weekend and has decided that the time is right to hang up her boots.
“Saturday was my last game ever. I’m retiring from club, provincial and international rugby,” admitted the 29-year-old forward.
“I had a good idea before the Interpros that I was going to finish playing. I feel very fortunate and very privileged to have played on so many great sides.
“I always wanted to finish on my own terms and I felt that now was a natural end to a cycle. I’d hate to think if we hadn’t won on Saturday that I might have to go again, but I think it’s a good time to move on.”
The Highfield clubwoman (pictured below lifting the trophy in Tralee) won an incredible 10 Interprovincial titles in 13 years with Munster and played 36 times for Ireland.
She represented her country in three Women’s Rugby World Cups, reaching the semi-final in Paris last month. She was also part of the Ireland squad that won the historic Six Nations Grand Slam in 2013.
Originally from Templebryan in west Cork, Guest began her rugby career with local club Clonakilty aged 16 where she started out in the out-half position.
She then went on to play senior women’s rugby with Limerick side Shannon before moving to Highfield in 2010 where she claimed the Munster Cup and All-Ireland Cup.
A keen golfer and member of the Lee Valley Golf Club, Guest also received the West Cork Sports Star of the Year award in 2013 off the back of her Six Nations success.
Laura is pictured below being presented with her final Ireland jersey by fellow retiree Lynne Cantwell before Ireland’s 3rd-4th place play-off match against France in Paris last month:
