Luke Fitzgerald retires

former total

Deserves its own thread.

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/news/15040.php#.V3IjiPkrLIU

Three Heineken Cup medals, two Pro12s, a Grand Slam, a Six Nations medal and a Lions test winger.

But still so much unfulfilled promise and a terrible waste.

Best of luck to him.

former total

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUH7Jm2iWSY

wp_rathead

Awh fnck

Pudsy33

Oh ffs terrible news.

A-Train

Terrible news gutted for him!

Mini850

Gutted...... so unlucky with injuries. Always gave it 100%. His tackle on Howlet against Munster (where he injured himself surprisingly) will always be a highlight for me.

Otacon

Only 28. A huge talent too. Hope the future is bright for him.

Appreciate players while we have them.

connemara man

Hope he has a good post rugby career.

Injury stopped him from fulfilling his potential. Would have been one of the greats otherwise. Will be a loss to Ireland and Leinster

Riskymove

Sad news and a tough decision for his age. Thanks for all your efforts over the years.

I was at Lansdowne Road for his debut (against Pacific Islands I think?) and I was always thought he was a fine player but...as will be mentioned time again....unlucky. Its a sign of how early he broke through that he is still only 28 while that seems a lifetime ago.

As a Munster fan I was sorry that the rumored move didn't happen a couple of years ago.

Best of luck to him in the future

vienne86

Awful awful news. Poor guy. I hope he has a good life after rugby.

That's two excellent players being forced to retiire all too early - Jones and now FitzGerald.

Leinster without Reddan and Fitz next season - dammit anyway.

BBDBB

Good luck to him, a fine servant to province and country

Mahatma Geansai

He's a great talent who didn't quite reach his potential due to injury. A great player.

vienne86

There was always a great buzz in the RDS when Luke would return after an absence - usually as a result of an injury......we'll really miss that.

shootermacg

Sad day for irish rugby. Great player! Will be missed.

LuckyGent88

Friend of mine told me this at the weekend when he was home from Dublin. Had heard that Fitzgerald has had difficulty with feeling in one of his hands due to all the injuries.

Devastating for him. So much talent unfulfilled and would have near on 100 caps only for his injuries.

ThisRegard

Such a shame, poor lad was dogged with injury over the years, but was a joy when at full flight.

dub_skav

Says a lot that he is one of our most successful players ever and is still (rightly) considered an example of unfulfilled potential.

Good luck with the future and thanks for the memories.

Luuuuuuuuuuukkkkkkkkkke

razorblunt

Incredible hard lines, seems like he was around for years yet he's only 28, never got a consistent run due to injury.
He seems happy enough with his decision though so all the best to him in his next steps.

molloyjh

Gutted. A massive talent who never truly got going properly. It's not a huge surprise all the same. I hope he does well in future. Definitely a guy who speaks very well so certainly has a possible role as a co-commentator or analyst.

thomond2006

molloyjh wrote: »

Gutted. A massive talent who never truly got going properly. It's not a huge surprise all the same. I hope he does well in future. Definitely a guy who speaks very well so certainly has a possible role as a co-commentator or analyst.

He speaks Irish so I'm certain we'll see him on TG4 at some stage.

sioda

Crap news great player respected by all supporters imo.

Akrasia

If his health was at risk then he made the right choice. Neck injuries are not to be toyed with

I wish him all the best and he'll always have a career related to rugby if he wants to pursue one.

Interested Observer

Real pity, best of luck to him.

leakyboots

Shame for him, 28 is no age to retire - was always great to watch whether you're a Leinster fan or not.

kuang1

Holy moley that's bad news.

I was really looking forward to seeing him play 11 against the all-blacks in Nov.

Devastated. One of my favourite players to watch.

Not a decision taken lightly for sure, good luck in the future Luke.

phog

One of the guys who would be my first name on a team sheet. Poor guy has been dogged with injury, sad to see him retire so early.

Stheno

He was commentating on sky at the weekend and came across well.

Shame to see him retire so young

sydthebeat

While probably inevitable due to his injury record, news of his retirement really saddened me this morning. Such potential that was only ever seen in short glimpses.

Still, he made up a vital part of arguably the best provincial back line ever.

Moflojo

thomond2006 wrote: »

He speaks Irish so I'm certain we'll see him on TG4 at some stage.

I doubt it, he never played in the front row for Munster.

A good player who was dogged with injuries. His best season was 2008/2009
Who knows how good he could have become with a constant run injury free.

Shame to see anyone have to retire due to injury. Just seems to be one of those unlucky players, who is very injury prone.
Every time he made a comeback from injury, people were just expecting him to pick up a new injury.

He's better off retiring, and looking after himself, rather than risk more serious injuries.

former total

I think this was his best ever display, he was just phenomenal in this game.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ept4C0RfQs

Something in my eye...