NEWS:MUNSTER and Ireland winger Ian Dowling has been forced to retire with a hip injury sustained in a game against the Ospreys last September.
The 28-year-old made his decision after extensive medical advice. The Kilkenny native was a popular member of the Munster team and had reached the pinnacle of Test rugby having played for Ireland in both the rugby union and rugby league codes.
His union career started with Shannon – he won an AIB League medal with the club – in September 2005 and he won 97 competitive caps for the province, collecting winners’ medals in the 2006 and 2008 Heineken Cup finals, both of which took place at the Millennium stadium. He also won a Magners League medal with Munster in 2009.
Injury was an occasional bedfellow, missing a large chunk of 2007 and being stretchered off with a knee injury in last season’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against the Northampton Saints. He missed the remainder of the season and the Ospreys match, in which he suffered the damage to his hip, was only his third since hurting his knee.
He made his debut for Munster in a Magners League game against Llanelli Scarlets in Musgrave Park and ended his first season with 15 caps and a Heineken Cup winner’s medal having played in the quarter, semi and final of that tournament.
A try scorer in the 2008 quarter-final win over Gloucester at Kingsholm, he claimed his second European medal lining out on the wing against Toulouse. A year later he won the first of two Ireland caps, against Canada on the summer tour of North America; the second came against the US Eagles.
Munster coach Tony McGahan admitted: “To hear the news of Ian’s premature retirement is a blow to everyone at the club. Ian’s successful career was underpinned by consistency, hard work and honesty. These values are highly regarded by the Munster squad and the supporters.
“Ian’s name was one of the first put down on the team sheet because of the way he played to his potential every week. He ensured this standard of performance because of the way he approached every day, demanding the best out of himself and his fellow players.
“He can be proud of his achievements for Munster and the integral role he played in the success of the teams he was involved in. As a team-mate and friend there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do. He brought an attitude and application that was in the best traditions of Munster rugby. I and all in Munster Rugby wish him every success in the future.”
McGahan also confirmed centre Sam Tuitupou would leave the province at the end of the season, having spent one year at Munster.
The New Zealander was brought in to replace Springbok Jean de Villiers. The Munster coach said: “We here at Munster thank Sammy. He has been a popular member of the squad and has certainly added to our back-line unit. His dynamic work at the contact area has been a strong focal point for us in both attack and defence.
Tuitupou is expected to continue his career in the Aviva Premiership having previously played with the Worcester Warriors.
Meanwhile, RTÉ are to transmit live the two Ulster Bank League semi-finals. Old Belvedere will host Clontarf at Anglesea Road on Saturday, April 16th, and Young Munster travel to Temple Hill to take on tournament favourites Cork Constitution, the next day. Both matches kick off at 2.30pm and will be screened on RTÉ 2.
RUGBY FIXTURES
THURSDAY
Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final: La Rochelle v Clermont Auvergne, Stade Marcel Deflandre (7.45, Irish time)
FRIDAY
Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-finals: Harlequins v Wasps, The Stoop (7.45); Stade Français v Montpellier, Stade Charlety (7.45, Irish time)
SATURDAY.
Heineken Cup quarter-finals: Perpignan v Toulon, Olympic stadium, Barcelona (3.30, Irish time); Leinster v Leicester Tigers, Aviva stadium (6pm)
Amlin Challenge Cup quarter-final: Brive v Munster, Stade Municipal, Brive (1pm, Irish time)
All-Ireland Bateman Cup Final: Bruff v Dungannon, Templeville Road (2pm)
All-Ireland Junior Cup Final(noon): Crosshaven v Monivea, Templeville Road
Ulster Bank League Division Two(2.30): Old Wesley v Ballymena, Donnybrook; Thomond v DLSP, Fitzgerald Park
Ulster Bank League Division Three(2.30): Banbridge v Highfield, Rifle Park.
SUNDAY
Heineken Cup quarter-finals: Northampton Saints v Ulster, Franklin's Gardens (2pm); Biarritz Olympique v Toulouse, Estadio Anoeta, San Sebastian (4.30, Irish time)
