Dave Kilcoyne is the latest Munster veteran who has confirmed his retirement from professional rugby.
The 36-year-old has announced the end of his 15-year career, the last two years of which have been haunted by injury.
One of just 15 men to have reached a double-century of appearances for the province, serious shoulder and achilles injuries have limited the Limerick man to just five appearances since the Rugby World Cup in 2023, and he hasn't featured since December’s win away to Ulster in Belfast.
"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," said Kilcoyne, who was 21-years-old when he was first drafted into the Munster academy in 2010.
"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 all the coaches that have influenced my career right the way up from UL Bohemians, Ardscoil Rís, Munster and Ireland."
The loosehead prop has played 220 times for the province since making his debut in 2011, while he also won 56 caps for Ireland.
Kilcoyne played in two Rugby World Cups for Ireland and won a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2023, while he was also part of the Munster squad that won the URC earlier that year.
IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys said: "It is never an easy day for a player to hang up their boots, but Dave can look back on his career with immense pride.
"As both a character and a driving force on the field he will be missed, but to play more than 50 times for his country tells you all you need to know about his abilities as a high-class loosehead prop.
"Dave made an enormous contribution to the red of Munster and green of Ireland and he can reflect on playing his part on a successful era for Irish rugby.
"On behalf of everyone in Irish rugby I would like to wish him and his family the very best in the future."
Kilcoyne is the fourth member of Munster’s 200 Club who will be departing at the end of this season, with Peter O’Mahony and Stephen Archer also retiring, while Conor Murray is set to leave for a new club abroad.
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Watch Munster v Ulster in the URC on Friday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra
Watch Leinster v Zebre on Saturday from 5.10pm on the RTÉ News Channel and RTÉ Player. Listen to updates on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
