David Wallace retires - Great career

The retirement of Garryowen, Munster, Ireland and British and Irish Lions forward David Wallace breaks a link with Irish teams stretching back more than two decades.

His brother Richard was first capped in 1991 and a third brother Paul followed in 1995. That each of them also played for the Lions makes it an achievement that may not be emulated.

Though two Irish teams will contest the European Cup final later this month, and because of Leinster’s great record, we may take this success for granted.

We can only do this because David Wallace, and a handful of his contemporaries, refused to be second best and defied the moral-victory culture. His career, achievements and competitiveness stand as wonderful examples to us all in so many spheres.

How wonderful it would be if we could all realise our potential so magnificently.