McKinley (21) Retires Due To Eye Injury

Otacon

The Score link

Eye injury forces McKinley’s retirement

LEINSTER STARLET IAN MCKINLEY has been forced to retire from rugby at the age of 21 after an injury caused him to lose the sight in his left eye.

The out-half, who captained the Ireland U20s against Samoa at the 2009 World Cup , suffered a severe facial injury while playing club rugby for UCD against Lansdowne in January of last year.

Incredibly, the youngster recovered from the setback after six months on the sidelines, returning to make four appearances for the province last season.

He had hoped to feature more frequently in coach Joe Schmidt’s plans this season, but was told earlier this summer that the retina in his left eye had become detached.

McKinley underwent three operations in an attempt to save his sight but, after the procedures proved to be unsuccessful, was forced to call time on his budding career.

“While I am very upset by this turn of events, now it’s about planning the next stage in my life,” he said today.

Wow. Really sad story.

shoutman

Heard this yesterday, must be absolutely devastating for the guy. One second you are a up and coming professional rugby player and a few weeks later you are blind in one eye and reconsidering your life options. Really feel for the guy.

chupacabra

This is utterly heartbreaking. Whatever about the rugby side of things this is an incredibly personal tragedy for the young man and for it to happen how it did is just really sad. I wish him nothing but the best in his future.

Malmedicine

Played with him. Played in that match with him. Gutted for him. Genuinely nice guy who should've gone on to reach the top his talent deserved.

.ak

Heard about this. Incredibly sad for Ian and his family! Hope he stays involved at rugby in some level, either as coach or staff!

-A

Diom

Sh!te. Looked a very promising prospect. He's young enough to recover well I hope, and he's got a bright future ahead of himself if applies himself with the same vigour to whatever it is he decides to do.

Gracelessly Tom

Had the pleasure of working with Ian last year. Total gent, really nice lad and a hugely gifted player. Real shame the eye injury has ended his career, he was definitely going places.

No doubt he'll do well in life and hopefully something can be done to improve the sight in the bad eye. There's definitely more important things in life than sport.

bamboozle

Awful shame for what was promissing to be such a glittering career.

best of luck to him with whatever path he chooses to follow.

Brewster

This is really terrible news, I was aware the news was coming. Absolute gentleman. While news of the Wallace injury was terrible, this sort of thing is on a different level of sadness altogether. A freak accident has taken away a hugely promising career, I have no doubts Ian would have played for Ireland. Best wishes to him and his family.

stephen_n

Far too high a price to pay for any sport, really sad for him both as a player and as a person.