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Irish Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Win over Ulster a fitting Thomond Park farewell for Munster's departing faithful
After an emotional night at Thomond Park, where Munster 's 38-20 bonus-point win over Ulster in front of a 17,684 crowd went a long way towards securing a place in the URC play-offs and qualification for next season's Champions Cup , interim head coach Ian Costello admitted their motivation went much deeper than that. As well as being must-win in the broader scheme of things, this was Munster's penultimate home match of the season but their last at Thomond Park. This in turn meant farewells to the retiring Dave Kilcoyne and team manager Niall O'Donovan, among others including Rory Scannell, and a final appearance at the Limerick citadel for Stephen Archer, Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray . [ Peter O'Mahony scores on Thomond farewell as Munster secure bonus-point win over Ulster Opens in new window ] Speaking of 'the biggest relief' after a six try to two win, which temporarily elevated Munster from ninth to fifth in the table, Costello said: 'We all know there's play-offs, we know what's at stake in terms of Champions Cup, what it means for the club. We know that there's a huge amount of external pressure but actually this week, we went a lot deeper than that. 'We knew that was there,' Costello added. 'It was about Peter, it was about Conor, it was about Stevie. It was about what they've done for the club, how they deserve to be sent off. READ MORE Who is in the most Irish Lions squad of all time and why? Listen | 21:47 'We had a meeting on the pitch tonight and Tadhg (Beirne) spoke so well and it really captured the whole week around putting a performance out there that reflected how much those lads meant to us and meant to the club,' said Costello, revealing Munster captain Beirne had called their first get-together on the turf rather than in the dressingroom as is custom. 'That's more powerful than anything, and it probably reflected what those lads meant to us. In a lot of elements, without being perfect, I think we did that. That's the relief.' As if preordained, O'Mahony had the final say when leaping above Ulster scrumhalf Nathan Doak to a bouncing cross kick from Jack Crowley in the 59th minute to gather and apply a slam dunk finish. O'Mahony even scored Munster's sixth try next to a banner hailing the three retiring 'liginds', headed by King Peter. 'It was unreal, wasn't it?' observed Munster centre Alex Nankivell, who has proved a strong signing from the Chiefs over the last two seasons. Munster's Peter O'Mahony scores Munster's si. Photograph: James Crombie/Inpho 'Obviously, I kind of knew who Pete and Murr were from playing in New Zealand and the Lions tours, what they've done for Ireland. To come here and be in the changing room with them, the coolest thing to me is just how normal they are. They're great, great fellas, first and foremost. 'Ultimately, they've done amazing things for Munster and Ireland as a nation. That's what really stuck me, you want to be team-mates with people who will work hard for you and just be good people. They're down-to-earth and great lads. So it's pretty cool. I haven't known them for too long, but you can see the influence they have in this team. It's pretty special.' Earlier, as if to showcase his Thomond Park farewell with a demonstration of his skill set, O'Mahony selflessly had two close-range try assists for Michael Milne and Tom Farrell in a wild and wacky first half at the end of which Munster led 24-20 with their bonus point already secured. Munster's win, which all but mathematically extinguished Ulster's hopes of reaching the play-offs and ended their hopes of competing in the Champions Cup for the first time in 31 seasons, elevated Costello's side to fifth in the table overnight pending the rest of the weekend's results. Munster's Peter O'Mahony leaves the pitch in his last game at Thomond Park. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/INpho A win at home to Benetton on what is sure to be another emotional farewell for O'Mahony and Co in Virgin Media Park next Friday will confirm their play-off place if it hasn't been already, and most likely a quarter-final in South Africa against the Bulls or Sharks. Despite this high-stakes victory over Ulster being an initially flawed and fraught display – notably with an initially malfunctioning lineout and a bizarre inability to exit from restarts – Munster ultimately won, easing up in the final quarter. 'Really pleased with the second half, but really pleased with some elements of the first as well,' said Costello. 'We laid out stall out in terms of physicality. We used it as a measure of work-rate and how to match theirs, and to the eye it looked like we were starting to get the ascendancy there. 'We felt we laid a good foundation in the first half without it being pretty, and capitalised on it in the second half.'
BreakingNews.ie
07-05-2025
- Sport
- BreakingNews.ie
Munster and Ireland prop Dave Kilcoyne announces retirement from rugby
Munster and Ireland prop Dave Kilcoyne has announced his retirement from professional rugby. Kilcoyne has played 220 times for Munster since making his debut in 2011, while he also won 56 caps for Ireland. Advertisement He was part of the Grand Slam winning team in 2023 and also helped Munster to the URC title that year. Kilcoyne played in both the 2019 and 2023 World Cups for Ireland. The last two seasons has seen his appearances limited, as he went through serious shoulder and achilles injuries. His last game for Munster was away to Ulster in December 2024. Advertisement Speaking on the announcement of 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 all the coaches that have influenced my career right the way up from UL Bohemians, Ardscoil Rís, Munster and Ireland." Advertisement "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." 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. Kilcoyne joins Peter O'Mahony and Stephen Archer in retiring at the end of the season, while Conor Murray will also be leaving the province.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Dave Kilcoyne: Munster forward to retire at the end of the season
Munster forward Dave Kilcoyne has confirmed he will retire from professional rugby at the end of the season. The 36-year-old won 56 caps from Ireland and helped them to the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2023. Kilcoyne is one of only 15 players to have made over 200 appearances for the Irish province but has struggled with injuries over the last two years and played his final match for Munster against Ulster in December 2024. "Growing up living in Limerick, my dream was always to play for Munster and Ireland," Kilcoyne said. "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 represented Ireland at both the 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cups as well as winning the United Rugby Championship with Munster in 2023.
Irish Times
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Munster and Ireland prop Dave Kilcoyne announces his retirement
Munster and Ireland prop Dave Kilcoyne has announced that he is to retire at the end of the season after a 15-year career in which he played over 200 times for his province and won 56 caps for his country. The 36-year-old Limerick loosehead scored 22 tries in 220 appearances for Munster and played in both the 2019 and 2023 World Cups with Ireland. he was also part of the 2023 Grand Slam winning side. 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. READ MORE '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.' Munster head of rugby operations and 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 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's announcement comes just a week after Munster and Ireland tighthead Stephen Archer announced that he is to retire in the summer at the age of 37 as the province's most capped player.
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.
