Playing the generation game

AS SURE as night follows day, rugby players retire and fresh talent emerges. I was extremely fortunate to kickstart my international career in the company of some of the greats of Irish rugby including Moss Keane, Fergus Slattery, Willie Duggan and Ollie Campbell.

Within three seasons of my debut all those great players were forced into retirement and the world didn’t end. Not only that, but after their departure in 1984 a new bunch emerged producing not only a Triple Crown but Ireland’s last championship success in 1985.

It’s less than two years since Munster’s finest day in Cardiff and already Trevor Halstead has retired, Shaun Payne has been appointed team manager while John Kelly, Anthony Foley and John Hayes are approaching the twilight of tremendous careers.