Injury forces O’Neill to retire

MUNSTER winger John O’Neill has been forced to retire from rugby with immediate effect because of injury.

O’Neill, 29, has been troubled with an ankle injury for the past 12 months and on medical advice has decided to end his rugby playing career. His last full competitive game for Munster was in the Heineken Cup final in May 2002 and the following month he travelled with the Irish squad that toured New Zealand.

A strong running wing for Munster, he was also a ferocious tackler. He will perhaps be best remembered for that now famous ‘try that wasn’t’ in the Heineken Cup semi-final against Stade Francais in Lille. In scoring that try, O’Neill showed speed, skill, strength and the presence of mind to get the touchdown which should have been rewarded with a place in the final.