LEINSTER UTILITY BACK Niall Morris has been forced to retire from rugby due to injury, the province have confirmed.
The 28-year-old, who featured for Leinster in pre-season after re-joining the province in the summer, made his decision following discussions with both the Leinster medical team and his consultant in Britain.
Following the announcement, Morris commented: “Unfortunately my ankle, which I fractured and dislocated in an incident against Bath in May 2015 and have rehabbed for 15 months wasn’t right after the Gloucester game, so I decided to seek further opinion and in the end I’ve been left with no choice but to retire from professional rugby.’
While at 28 I’m disappointed that my rugby career has come to an end, having completed a degree in Business and Legal Studies at UCD and recently passed CFA Level 1, I feel I am well positioned to make what is a difficult transition and I am excited about what lies ahead.
“I have had some wonderful moments with Blackrock College, with Leinster and of course with Leicester Tigers and I look back upon all those years with fond memories. I am also extremely grateful to Leo and the rest of the Leinster coaching team for giving me this opportunity to prove myself in a Leinster jersey once again. It was a great feeling to pull on that jersey in Navan and in Tallaght and I gave it my all to get back there and to wear it once more. I wish the team every success for the season ahead.
Finally I’d like to thank my family, girlfriend and friends for their support over the last few weeks and indeed over my career.”
The former Blackrock College student scored 18 tries in 75 appearances and five seasons with the Leicester Tigers after joining them from Leinster in 2011, winning a Premiership medal in 2012-13 with the English side.
Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen paid tribute to Morris following the news.
“Since Niall re-joined Leinster on a short term deal, he has worked incredibly hard to get himself back playing at the highest level,” he said.
We could see during our games against Ulster and Gloucester the quality that Niall can bring to a team so we are very disappointed to hear that he now won’t be able to continue playing.
“All the players and staff would like to congratulate Niall on what he achieved in the game and wish him the very best for what he focuses his energy on next.”
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