Record Breaker Trimble To Retire
Andrew Trimble, Ulster’s most-capped player of all-time and a Six Nations winner with Ireland in 2014, has announced that he will retire from rugby at the end of the season.
The 33-year-old, who has earned an impressive 229 Ulster caps and 70 Ireland caps over a memorable 13-year career, made the announcement today in an open letter to supporters.
Andrew Trimble won 70 caps for Ireland, making his debut against Australia in November 2005. He went on to represent Ireland at two Rugby World Cups (2007 and 2011) and cruelly missed out on a third through injury on the eve of the 2015 tournament.
The powerful winger started every game of the 2014 Six Nations title-winning campaign, playing a starring role with tries against Scotland, Italy and France. He was a member of the team that beat South Africa in Cape Town and started in Chicago in the historic victory over New Zealand in November 2016. Over the course of his international career, he scored 17 tries for Ireland.
An Open Letter from Andrew Trimble
I know that I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have realised not one of my dreams, but two of them – to play for Ulster and to play for Ireland. These have been some of the most fulfilling days of my life and I feel nothing but gratitude for them.
But there’s no way of stopping time – and I see that each day in the lives of my two young children, who are now close to beating me over five metres! So I wanted to let you know that this will be my last season playing professional rugby.
I want to thank Ulster Rugby for allowing me the time and space to think things through before making what is probably the toughest decision that any professional sportsman will make. Most of all, I want to thank you – the loyal and dedicated supporters of this special province.
I know that nothing will come close to the experience of taking the field and hearing you raise your voices in support of the team.
You stood up for me. I only hope that I stood up for you.
With deepest thanks,
Andrew Trimble
In paying tribute to Trimble, Bryn Cunningham, Ulster’s operations director, said: “Andrew has been a class act both on and off the pitch. He has been a great ambassador for Ulster Rugby, having done much to promote our work in the community and to inspire future generations of rugby players from across the nine counties.
“I was still playing here when Andrew first joined the squad and it’s been fantastic to follow his journey to becoming the highest-capped Ulster player of all-time – a remarkable achievement! He has delivered some incredible performances in both the Ulster and Ireland jerseys over the years and he can be justifiably proud of his playing career.
“I know that Andrew will be successful in whatever career he chooses next, and I wish him, Anna, Jack and Molly well in this new chapter for them.”
Ulster Chief Executive Shane Logan added: “I’d like to thank Andrew for his wonderful service to rugby in Ulster over the past 13 years. He has been an inspiration for so many young players across the province, due to his uncompromising playing style but also his kind nature and infectious personality.
“I know that he will continue to support Ulster in the years ahead and I wish him well in the years ahead.”