Jackman: I’ll stay involved

BERNARD JACKMAN, forced to retire prematurely due to injury, pledged yesterday to stay involved in the game he graced with distinction for province, club and country over a 15-year spell.

The Leinster and Irish hooker is to take up a full-time coaching position at Clontarf, whom he coached on a part-time basis for much of this season.

Jackman finally gave in to reality when he admitted: “The decision to retire wasn’t mine, to be honest. I failed a medical a couple of months ago as regards a contract for next year. I’d love to continue to play, but my body is not up to it and that’s the hard part.”