Hannah O’Connor on Ciara Griffin retirement: 'It will be a massive loss to us'

Hannah O'Connor during Ireland training ahead of the autumn international series. O'Connor paid tribute to the retiring Ciara Griffin ahead of the clash with Japan. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

While it was news that caused a shock to the outside world earlier this week, Ireland women’s rugby back-row Hannah O’Connor revealed yesterday the squad have known for quite some time of Ciara Griffin’s impending international retirement.

Despite being just 27 years of age, the Kerry native will line out in an Irish side for the final time tomorrow afternoon in an autumn test against Japan (RDS, 3pm). Though she can’t put an exact timeline on when the team's captain announced her intentions to step away from the set-up, O’Connor acknowledged it is something she was aware of in advance of the current international window.