Gordon D'Arcy retiring

[Grumpy Old Man]

I've just been reminded that Darce gave me possibly my favourite moment as a Leinster supporter.

Sitting in the stadium in Bordeaux 2012, watching the TMO pictures on the big screen and realising that Fofana had knocked the ball on and that Clermont hadn't won the match. And who put in the tackle..?

[Peg Leg]

Thanks D'Arce,
My memories will eventually fade, but I doubt the legend of the D'Arcy leg drive in contact ever will!!!

[simonokeeffe]

am delighted hes staying with us til after the RWC, was looking like he wasnt going to be

[BlueWheels]

It's been a privilege to have seen him play all these years. His retirement statement reflected his career ..... TOP QUALITY!


Next Friday when RDS hears chants of:
"One more Year,
One more Year,
One more Year"
they won't be for MOC!!

[Donny B.]

The last to go of the best Leinster three-quarter line I'll probably ever see.

Thanks for everything!

[awol]

The gang down in Wexford Wander's speak very highly of him, massively sucessful as a player and comes across as an absolute gent.
Probably one of the best centres Ireland and Leinster ever saw. Never forgot where he was from and I think that helped massively in a place where rugby has become a lot less of a minority sport in recent years.

Some man in fairness, best of luck for the future.

[hugonaut]

What a player and what a great career! Congrats Darce.

[artaneboy]

The last of the line; BOD, Denis, Shaggy, Girve, Felipe- now Gordon. We'll not see their like again any time soon... in any club!

Gordon was always a class act as both a player and a person. Best of luck Gordon and thanks for all those great moments in Green- and especially Blue.

[simonokeeffe]

After RWC Jamie Heaslip becomes our longest serving Player

Heaslip 2004/5
Kearney, Toner 2005/6
Healy, Locky, Luke 2006/7

[MrsYetiGoose]

Thanks for everything Gordon. Star man, you will be missed. Best set of legs in the business!!! May you have a bright future after your years of service to Leinster and Ireland.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

I've just been reminded that Darce gave me possibly my favourite moment as a Leinster supporter.

Sitting in the stadium in Bordeaux 2012, watching the TMO pictures on the big screen and realising that Fofana had knocked the ball on and that Clermont hadn't won the match. And who put in the tackle..?

This! The coverage at the time was all about Fofana blowing it (in fact, some papers didn't mention Darce at all) but it was a huge hit from Darce. Fofana picked a great line at full tilt and we'd been under the cosh for ages in what was such a tough match but Darce somehow managed to throw everything he had at him.

There was a period between 2004 and 2007 where he seemed to make a a half break at the very least every time he got the ball. He reinvented himself from a flying back three player, to an incredibly dynamic centre, breakdown specialist and defender, then post arm injury (and with Joe Schmidt on board) to a passing 12 with incredible defensive nous and as I've said many times before he was the hardest working back in world rugby. I really don't think that's an exaggeration, his workrate to get hard yards, counter ruck, and make sure that he filled in defensively wherever he was needed were unparalleled. Plus he did it over 17 years, that's a helluva career before you even mention the individual and team awards he won!

One of the greats and will be sorely missed. Thanks Darce!

[jimbobjoe]

The moment when he scored the try vs France in 09 after coming back from the broken arm is possibly my favourite Darcy moment. The look on his face is one of pure joy and then being swamped by the rest of the team. Brilliant

[offshorerules]

Where do you star? The line breaks? Fofana? Try against munster 2009 or his role in "that try" against Toulouse.? Simply a magnificent rugby player. But also a superb human being. Good luck with everything Gordon I just hope you get to bow out on the world stage as you so richly deserve.

[molloyjh]

The moment when he scored the try vs France in 09 after coming back from the broken arm is possibly my favourite Darcy moment. The look on his face is one of pure joy and then being swamped by the rest of the team. Brilliant

This.

And his awesome leg strength. The number of times he made metres after the contact when he had no right to was fantastic.

[LeinsterLeader]

The moment when he scored the try vs France in 09 after coming back from the broken arm is possibly my favourite Darcy moment. The look on his face is one of pure joy and then being swamped by the rest of the team. Brilliant

This.

And his awesome leg strength. The number of times he made metres after the contact when he had no right to was fantastic.

Can't pay him any greater complement than say that I always though that defensively he was better than BOD and if you're better then the best ya gotta be something special. I know most won't agree. Just my opinion. Either way we won't see his like again for many's the day!

[Tricky Dicky]

An amazing player and a really nice guy. Pity he's not staying for one more season - I think his decline has been massively over-stated. Thanks for all the memories

[Bogger]

Great rugby player hope he enjoys the run out for next few months right decision to go now...I will be in RDS next week just for him

[doodles]

Courageous, intelligent, disciplined..the list goes on.
He's been through thick and thin and thin again.
Adaptable, versitile and and great stabilising force.
Not to mention that BOB would just have been BO without the 'D'!
Thanks Gordon and best of luck with your continued sucess.
You'll be missed!

[Peg Leg]

The fact that there are almost 60 posts up here without a single mention of this nations greatest beard, is surely testament to D'Arcy's ability as a player.

[leinsterforever]

If I was Leinster coach I'd have wanted Darcy to stay on for next season to show Ringrose the ropes. Sure Te'o can't play every game