Dowling forced to hang up boots

Following extensive medical consultation, Munster rugby have announced today that Ian Dowling will retire from professional rugby, as a result of a hip injury sustained earlier this season.

Kilkenny native Dowling, aged 28, suffered the injury during a game against the Ospreys last September.

A former rugby league international, Dowling began to catch the eye of the Munster selectors in 2005 where he was impressing as an abrasive winger for Mick Galway’s Shannon side in the All-Ireland league.

Declan Kidney, who was Munster coach at the time, fast-traced the former O’Lochlann Gaels hurler into his side and Dowling became a mainstay on the wing playing in the victorious 2006 and 2006 Heineken Cup finals and winning 97 caps for the province. Dowling also won a Magners League medal in 2009.

The burly winger would have added greatly caps total but for injury in 2007 and last season when he was stretchered off in the Heineken Cup quarter-final game against Northampton at Thomond Park Stadium.

Dowling had only just recently returned from that injury only to incur the hip injury earlier this season that ultimately finished his professional career.

A try scorer in the 2008 quarter-final win over Gloucester at Kingsholm, Dowling won his second Heineken Cup medal lining out on the wing against Toulouse and won the first of his two international caps against Canada on Ireland's summer tour of North America the following season.

Commenting on today’s news, Coach Tony McGahan said: “To hear the news of Ian’s premature retirement is a blow to everyone at the club.

“Ian’s successful career was underpinned by consistency, hard work and honesty. These values are highly regarded by the Munster squad and the supporters.

"Ian’s name was one of the first put down on the team sheet because of the way he played to his potential every week.

“He allowed himself this standard of performance because of the way he approached every day demanding the best out of himself and his fellow players. He can be proud of his achievements for Munster and the integral role he played in the success of the teams he was involved in.

“As a team-mate and friend there wasn't anything he wouldn't do. He brought an attitude and application that was in the best traditions of Munster Rugby. I and all in Munster Rugby wish him every success in the future.”