Latest news with #ArdscoilRís
The 42
07-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Munster and Ireland prop Kilcoyne retires after 15-year career
MUNSTER AND IRELAND loosehead prop Dave Kilcoyne has confirmed that he is retiring from professional rugby. 36-year-old Kilcoyne is calling time on a 15-year career with his province and country. Limited to just two appearances this season due to injuries, Kilcoyne will hang up his boots after 220 caps for Munster and 56 for Ireland. The Limerick man featured for Ireland in their 2023 Grand Slam campaign and played at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups, while he helped Munster to their URC title in 2023. An explosive ball carrier who has been hugely popular among team-mates, Kilcoyne came through the ranks of Ardscoil Rís and UL Bohs into the Munster set-up, earning his senior debut in December 2011 and winning his first Ireland cap in November 2012. Advertisement 'Growing up living in Limerick, my dream was always to play for Munster and Ireland,' said Kilcoyne. '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. Kilcoyne made 220 appearances for Munster. Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO 'I want to thank all the coaches that have influenced my career right the way up from UL Bohemians, Ardscoil Rís, Munster and Ireland. '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 team-mates 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 that have cheered and supported me and my career since 2011, thank you – I look forward to joining you in the stands! 'I'd also like to thank the University of Limerick (and my mother) for encouraging me and accommodating my education over the years. After my degree in Business Studies, I was able to complete an MSc in Business Project Management in 2019. 'I am just about to finish a Professional Diploma in Aircraft Leasing and Finance and hope to graduate in the summer. This wouldn't have been possible without the help and understanding of the lecturers and University. 'I'm extremely excited for what the next chapter brings and using all the skills and life lessons that my rugby career has given me.'
Irish Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Munster lose another vastly experienced star to retirement as farewell confirmed
Dave Kilcoyne has described his Munster and Ireland career as a dream come true as he calls time on his 15-year professional career as a pro ahead of the Reds' must-win interpro clash with Ulster at Thomond Park on Friday night. Kilcoyne, 35, has made 220 Munster appearances (22 tries) and made 56 Test appearances for his country, including nine appearances at the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups, including outings in all five of Ireland's World Cup games in Japan six years ago. Affectionately known as 'Killer', the Limerick-born prop won the URC with Munster and the Grand Slam with Ireland in 2023 - Andy Farrell was a big fan. But injuries in the last two years cost him more games in the famous red jersey and he played his final game for Munster in the away win over Ulster in December 2024 and, with Peter O'Mahony and Stephen Archer also retiring and Conor Murray departing for a new challenge, Killer's decision to hang up the boots drains the dressing-room of more experience. 'Growing up living in Limerick, my dream was always to play for Munster and Ireland," said Kilcoyne. "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 all the coaches that have influenced my career right the way up from UL Bohemians, Ardscoil Rís, Munster and Ireland. '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 team-mates 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 that have cheered and supported me and my career since 2011, thank you – I look forward to joining you in the stands! 'I'd also like to thank the University of Limerick (and my mother) for encouraging me and accommodating my education over the years. After my degree in Business Studies, I was able to complete an MSc in Business Project Management in 2019. 'I am just about to finish a Professional Diploma in Aircraft Leasing and Finance and hope to graduate in the summer. This wouldn't have been possible without the help and understanding of the lecturers and University. I'm extremely excited for what the next chapter brings and using all the skills and life lessons that my rugby career has given me.' Dave Kilcoyne against Tamaiti Williams of New Zealand XV in November 2022 (Image: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan) Kilcoyne joined the Munster academy in 2010 after playing as a youngster for Ardscoil Rís and UL Bohs before going on to make the province's senior squad in 2012. His Ireland debut followed against South Africa in November of that year. Munster's interim head coach Ian Costello said: 'We knew Killer had the potential to be a fantastic player for Munster and Ireland when he came into our Academy in 2010. 'He certainly fulfilled that potential and to have played a combined 276 games for Munster and Ireland is an outstanding achievement I know everyone at Ardscoil Rís and UL Bohs have taken huge pride in his accomplishments since he made his Munster debut in 2011. 'Along with being a quality player, he is a great character and will be sorely missed around the HPC. I'm sure he will enjoy great success in whatever he chooses to do next and we wish him and his family the very best for the future.' IRFU Performance Director David Humphreys added: '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 in 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.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
