Ireland and Leinster fullback Girvan Dempsey has announced that he will retire from the game at the end of the season. The 34-year-old was capped 82 times for his country, scoring 19 tries.
Dempsey has been named in Leinster’s squad for Sunday’s Magners League clash against Edinburgh at the RDS and is in line to make his 175th appearance for the province since making his debut in 1996. He has scored 32 tries during that time.
Backrow forward Sean O'Brien has been named in a Leinster squad for the first time since February after making a quicker than expected recovery from the broken leg he suffered against Llanelli Scarlets.
Leinster consultant coach Alan Gaffney paid tribute to the professionalism of Dempsey throughout his career.
“Girvan Dempsey is extremely good to coach and has been a fantastic servant for Leinster and Irish rugby,” said Gaffney.
“He’s someone you can place your trust on 100 per cent and I remember we first met in 2000 during my first spell with Leinster.
“In the early days we spoke about (the idea of) 'never die wondering' and he has gone on to become one of the best fullbacks around and one of the most intelligent rugby brains that I've ever encountered. He's a superb athlete and just an all-round great guy.”
LEINSTER SQUAD – Forwards:Leo Cullen, John Fogarty, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Nathan Hines, Stephen Keogh, Kevin McLaughlin, Sean O'Brien, Malcolm O'Kelly, Mike Ross, Rhys Ruddock, Dominic Ryan, Richardt Strauss, CJ van der Linde, Stan Wright
Backs:Shaun Berne, Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Shane Horgan, Rob Kearney, Simon Keogh, Ian Madigan, Fergus McFadden, Isa Nacewa, Paul O'Donohoe, Brian O'Driscoll, Eoin O'Malley, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton