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David Wallace Announces Retirement

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Leinster
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/10449.php

David Wallace today became the fourth Munster player this season to announce his retirement from rugby.<!-- {/abstract} --><!-- CACHE munster/other/socialmedia/twitterapi/ENG-dda26b27ad2e273d6328d67060db0666-5172b7d6d11d2be8ad3958ac8b0673f3.php 2012-05-03 10:40:56 -->

On-going medical issues, as a result of a knee injury sustained in the pre world cup against England, means Wallace has not been able to fully recuperate and regrettably has had to make the decision to retire.

The 35 year old wing-forward won the last of his 203 Munster caps in the Heineken Cup quarter final against Ulster last month. He won the first of those caps in the Interprovincial Championship game against Connacht in August 1997 at the Sportsground in Galway and quickly established himself in the first team.

He made his European debut in September 1998, played in all nine Munster games in the run to the 2000 final where he scored the only try of the game, won a runner-up medal in 2002 and winners medals in 2006 and 2008. He won his 200th cap in the Magners Grand Final last year the last of his 86 Heineken Cup caps in that game against Ulster.

He was also named in the ERC European Dream Team - (Best XV of European club competitions covering 1995 - 2010) along with Ronan O'Gara and Anthony Foley, won a Grand Slam with Ireland in 2009 and as a British & Irish Lion (2001 & 2009) became the first set of three brothers to play for the famous touring side.

Comment: "Although it's disappointing that injury is forcing me to retire now, I take great comfort that I've had an unbelieveably enjoyable career and I feel very lucky to have been involved in an era that has seen Munster and Ireland enjoy so much success".

"Professional rugby has exploded in popularity and changed beyond all recognition in this country since I began and I feel honored to have played witness to it's massive improvement..

I'd like to thank anyone who has helped me and had faith in me during my 15 year professional career including family, teammates, coaches, medics, friends and not least supporters.

I will be looking to step away from rugby and explore a few different business opportunities while also looking forward to being able to spend more time with my wife Aileen and sons Andrew and Harvey."
 
a great player
shame his career had to end this way. at least injury ended his career at 35 and not in his 20's like some others
 
Great player, great guy.

He had a fantastic career, winning practically everything he could, except the 09 Lions tour. A real rock in the Ireland and Munster set ups. Shame it had to end like this for him, but he can have no regrets.

Cheers for all the memories Wally.
 
Terribly sad for him.

was my favorite Irish player for a long time , great servant to Ireland and Munster..

And so we lose one awfully tough son of a ***** from Irish rugby..terrible shame
 
It's a shame, all my childhood rugby heroes are retiring

Shaggy
Girve the Swerve
Wally
Big Mal
Hickie
Reggie
Shane Byrne
Axel

I'm getting all teary here.
 
Can't forget Keith Gleeson either. Aye, it's only Drico, Strings and Paulie left really. :(
 
My advice would be to book yourself in for immediate rectal reconstruction surgery.
 
By far the best openside flanker in Europe 2006-2009, my favourite of all time, he's one of my idol (even though I use to play 10 or 15!! :D), and it's sad that it's been an injury that called time on his career and not really him.

I'm so sad!

Ireland is still searching for such a powerful ball carrier with amazing tackling and pilfers skills like David Wallace in no. 7 jersey, O'Brien has much road to walk in front of him but he lacks at least 1/3 of Wallace work when in form...
 
By far the best openside flanker in Europe 2006-2009, my favourite of all time, he's one of my idol (even though I use to play 10 or 15!! :D), and it's sad that it's been an injury that called time on his career and not really him.

I'm so sad!

Ireland is still searching for such a powerful ball carrier with amazing tackling and pilfers skills like David Wallace in no. 7 jersey, O'Brien has much road to walk in front of him but he lacks at least 1/3 of Wallace work when in form...

O'Brien isn't a 7, he shouldn't be expected to play there tbh. Chris Henry is the man for that jersey in my opinion, the difference he makes to Ulster is startling.
 
O'Brien isn't a 7, he shouldn't be expected to play there tbh. Chris Henry is the man for that jersey in my opinion, the difference he makes to Ulster is startling.
Can agree with this but problem I fear is Henry is not really a 7 either. O'Mahony will get tested there too but we really don't have a proper 7 in Ireland. We seem to be breathing 6's and 8's but no 7 but Henry deserves a chance if Form is the measuring stick
 
Can agree with this but problem I fear is Henry is not really a 7 either. O'Mahony will get tested there too but we really don't have a proper 7 in Ireland. We seem to be breathing 6's and 8's but no 7 but Henry deserves a chance if Form is the measuring stick

I'd be happy to see Ireland start with Henry. No disrespect to Peter O'Mahony, but I think Henry is more capable in the openside role and is a good bit further on in terms of development. Let's not forget that Wally was hardly a traditional 7 either, but did a stand up job there. Fact is, there hasn't been a proper 7 in the country since Keith Gleeson hung up his boots. At the moment our backrow should probably have Ferris at 6, Henry at 7 and O'Brien at 8, with either O'Mahony or Heaslip on the bench. Not a poor state of affairs all things considered
 
We'll give you Tipuric forrrrrr......... *thinks of Irish player he'd have in the Welsh team...*

KEARNEY!!
 

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