Gordon D'Arcy retiring

[D'Arse]

Just heard that D'Arcy is retiring at the end of this season. Over 250 Leinster caps making him our most capped player ever. The term "legend" is all too often thrown about but I think his service to Leinster firmly places him in the Leinster Legend category. Make sure to give him a send off to remember at his last home game.

[goreyguy]

Hasn't been announced officially but no surprise.

[Not_Today]

Best of Luck to him, he lived in the shadow of a great player which probably deflected a lot of praise away from him.

[simonokeeffe]

say it aint so

think he may have wanted to play on for Leinster at least but he doesnt look to be in plans so cant blame him for not wanting to go out with a whimper

[fourthirtythree]

What a great player! His haul is pretty complete I know but it would be nice if he got another medal or two to retire with.

Thanks Gordon. Thanks so much for so much for so many years.

[Blue not red blood]

Calm down folks
check todays date

[Raydollard]

He is to be appointed as backs coach after retirement.

[cormac]

Calm down folks
check todays date

great advice, except it was posted on March 31st

[bronxbull]

We come from the same village so I've been dreading this news, if true, for the last few years.
Gordon D'Arcy gave some outstanding performances in O'Driscoll's 13 jersey in 2004 (player of the year in Europe) that have been largely forgotten in BODs farewell tour last year.
Gordon was a victim of some pretty scandalous comments from the management and press surrounding the Lions tour of 2005, when he wasn't fit, and I don't think that was ever properly dealt with.
How Gordon reinvented himself from the stocky wing/fullback who got a call up for the 1999 World Cup to one of the best inside centres the game has seen
has been remarkable. Remember those days, of BOD, Hickie, Dempsey, Horgan and D'Arcy scoring for fun in Donnybrook?
I will always remember him as a great rugby player in his own right, so good defensively and one part of the best centre partnership the international game has seen since
Horan and Little.

[neiliog93]

Probably the right time to go. He's just turned 35 and still good enough to make our bench. RWC was maybe a stretch too far unless Joe wants an experienced option in reserve.

[BlueBlue]

I'd like 1 more year.

But best of luck if its true. One of Leinsters greatest ever.

[Psycho B]

Looks like he's not being left with much of choice by Leinster.
Absolutely gutted for him. I would love to see him keep playing for one more year even if it is not with Leinster.

url]http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/l ... 31158.html[/url]

[Psycho B]

Looks like he's not being left with much of choice by Leinster.
Absolutely gutted for him. I would love to see him keep playing for one more year even if it is not with Leinster.

url]http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/l ... 31158.html[/url]

[offshorerules]

One of the greats and a true gentleman to boot. Whatever happens I hope he's happy.

[Flash Gordon]

Darce has played for Ireland in the last year, I don't buy that his demise has been that dramatic and feel he still has a role to play. I know the idea of loyalty in our game is a bit of a busted flush but I'd like like to see it given one more outing for Darce who is one critical half of the greatest center partnership Ireland has ever seen.

[TrapperChamonix]

My early memories of watching D'Arcy on the wing was that he was always being stretchered off with a back injury. I predicted that he would DEFINITELY have an injury shortened career. Added to that he had a year where he had to have his arm reset 2 or 3 times. Amazing that he has shown such durability in such an attritional position. Whether he would make the RWC squad or not, he would be a valuable stand by in case of emergencies for Ireland.

[Flash Gordon]

My early memories of watching D'Arcy on the wing was that he was always being stretchered off with a back injury. I predicted that he would DEFINITELY have an injury shortened career. Added to that he had a year where he had to have his arm reset 2 or 3 times. Amazing that he has shown such durability in such an attritional position. Whether he would make the RWC squad or not, he would be a valuable stand by in case of emergencies for Ireland.

In fairness, he looked after his body more as his career progressed. Think its fair to say that he was a right eejit in the beginning and body protection wasn't top of his priorities....

[Logorrhea]

Seems a bit strange at a time when we are looking to bring ISA back, rumours of Stringer coming are growing, and its a time when we know 90% of the squad will be at the world cup, we are looking to release a guy who was deemed good enough to play for Ireland just a few months ago.

I don't believe he'll be retiring. It makes no sense.

[johng]

I don't believe he'll be retiring.

It makes no sense.

I don't see these statements as mutually exclusive.

[neiliog93]

He'd always maintained he'd carry on until the RWC. So he might sign a short-term/one season deal with a foreign club in the hope of making the squad. If he doesn't make it, he has some rugby to fall back on and might get called up if someone gets injured, which is very possible. I still expect him to be involved in the Summertime pre-RWC training camps at least.

Luke Marshall has struggled with concussions and injuries and hasn't pushed on from where he was in 2013 and Olding is only just coming back from injury. Joe doesn't like Cave that much, who's more of a 13 anyway. I'd say D'Arcy has a decent shot at a back-up RWC place, given his experience and his status as a 'Schmidt favourite'.