Nov 06,2024
Ireland international wing Eimear Considine has confirmed her retirement from rugby at the age of 33.
The versatile Munster back has called time on her career after a memorable comeback in 2024, when she returned to the Ireland side following more than two years out of the team.
The Clare native won 30 caps for Ireland, the last of which came in their 26-14 win against USA in WXV1 last month, a result which secured a second-place finish for Scott Bemand's side in the tournament.
A former dual football and camogie player with the Banner, Considine won an All-Ireland intermediate title in 2009, before taking up rugby at the age of 23, initially as part of the fledgling Ireland Sevens programme.
After making her Ireland XVs debut during the 2017 Six Nations, she featured for Ireland during the Rugby World Cup that year, while playing her club rugby for UL Bohemian.
Considine stepped away from rugby in the second half of 2022 before the arrival of her son Caolán in January 2023, and while she returned to action three months later, an ACL injury in that year’s interprovincial championship sidelined her for almost a full year.
Despite such a long layoff, Considine returned to feature for Munster in the 2024 interpros, before she was a late addition to the Ireland squad for their recent WXV campaign, marking her first cap for more than two years by scoring in the 36-10 win against Australia in September.
And while she went on to start all three games for Ireland during their WXV campaign, including the win against world champions New Zealand, the 33-year-old hasn’t been tempted to extend her career by a further season, and a chance at making next summer’s World Cup squad.
"At the age of 23, I was given an opportunity to play rugby. I had no idea back then of the incredible journey that lay ahead," she said in a statement.
"But now, after 10 years, I feel it’s time that the journey ends.
"To all my coaches throughout the years at Bohs, Munster, and Ireland, thank you for backing me. To all my team-mates, I have made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.
"To my family, especially Dean, it wouldn’t have been possible without your support and patience!
"To all the supporters, you’ve been there through thick and thin and I look forward to joining you from here on out."
