Munster and former Ireland prop latest veteran to retire

NEWS: A member of Munster’s 200-cap club is about to hang up his boots after a stellar 15 years with the club and Irish rugby.

The 36-year-old Dave Kilcoyne confirmed his retirement and will call it a day as one of only 15 players to have reached the 200-cap landmark for Munster. Kilcoyne scored 22 tries in 220 appearances for his province and also earned 56 caps for Ireland.

The Ireland Grand Slam winner made nine appearances at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups and won the United Rugby Championship with Munster and the Grand Slam with Ireland in 2023.

Announcing his retirement, Kilcoyne said, “Growing up living in Limerick, my dream was always to play for Munster and Ireland. To have done so for so long has been a dream come true.

“The last two years haven’t gone as planned with surgeries to my shoulder and Achilles. In a way, it’s easier that the decision to play on has been taken away from me.

“I take great pride in knowing that I always gave everything I had and left nothing on the pitch. It’s almost a fitting way for me to finish up.

“I want to thank my family who have been a constant support throughout my career. I certainly wouldn’t have had the career I had if it wasn’t for their unwavering support over the years.

“I want to thank all my teammates that I shared the battlefield with over the years, a lot of whom are my best friends today.

“To the red army of Munster supporters who have cheered and supported me and my career since 2011, thank you – I look forward to joining you in the stands!

He made his debut for Ireland against South Africa in November 2012, featured in his first Six Nations in 2013 and finished the season touring North America with the Ireland squad.

Kilcoyne travelled to his first World Cup in 2019 and played all five games for Ireland in Japan.

After making his landmark 200th Munster appearance in February 2022, he helped Ireland to Triple Crown success later that season.

He made 15 appearances over the 2022/23 campaign as Munster won the URC and also helped Ireland to the Grand Slam.

Kilcoyne travelled to his second World Cup with Ireland in 2023 and made four appearances in the competition.