Luke Fitzgerald retires

[MrSensible]

Terrible news. Best of look to him with his new career. Will be a huge loss for Leinster especially.

[Fan with smartphone]

Ah no. Felt happy for reddan, though realising he would be a big loss. But Fitzgerald is more like eoin o'malley's retirement. Had a whole lot more in him to give.

[Leoslovechild]

What a shame.Such a natural player with his dancing feet.Will so miss him in the Leinster team as always felt there was an extra spark there when he was playimg.Hopefully he has made the correct decision for himself as you do not want any long term problems for pushing it too far.Thanks Luke for all the great memories

[matt]

It seems only a few years ago watched him dominate schools rugby (2004-6) then in late 2007 as a teenager get 2 trys from the right wing against Toulouse at the RDS. He was still only 21 when he played for the Lions in 2009 in South Africa.

Great career despite all the injuries & best of luck in the future.

[enby]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NjWF30L0LKU

[COYBIB]

On a personal level, gutted for Luke. Was world class on his day, but unfortunately couldn't catch a break with injuries and the physical demands of professional rugby. One wonders if the heat put on by Munster attempting to sign him straight out of school and the resulting fully professional contract at 18 put too much strain on his body too early in his development, causing long term issues that have lead to this decision.

From a Leinster perspective, along with potentially Rob Kearney, assuming he rediscovers his form, Luke was the only shining light in a part of the squad desperately low on quality.

We're now looking at a situation where, on our best day, with everbody available, one of Dave Kearney, Fergus McFadden and Zane Kirchner is our first choice in the back three.

Assuming Nacewa and Kirchner are going into their last season, if Adam Byrne / Dardis don't break through this coming season, our best back-three consists of both McFadden and Dave Kearney as first choice..... absolutely desperate times.

Nice move by the way Kelleher.

[munster#1]

Very sad news. He is a player that never got to fulfil his potential due to continuous injury.

Like earls he is a player who rarely if ever had a solid injury free run, which players do need.

As said above it was possibly a case of too much too soon for his frame, he was more than capable to competing against anyone in his late teens early 20s, but for some reason Irish players seem to break easily when coming through early.

I never bought into the hype that surrounded him as a player, but off the field ( and I only met him twice) he was a good lad, who seemed to enjoy chatting to everyone that wanted to talk with him.

Best of luck with whatever the future offers.

[LeinsterLeader]

Well f*ck-sticks!!!

Absolutely gutted for Leinster, me and especially him. A very sad day in a sporting context

[Peg Leg]

Bollix.

[jezzer]

The news we were all dreading would come at some stage. Gutted for him, really gutted. And for Leinster, who will lose one of their brightest talents in a decade.

[Peg Leg]

Good man M#1. It's important to note on this thread that you never bought into the hype but think he's a nice lad.

There is a difference in buying into hype and being able to appreciate talent.

[Logorrhea]

It's important to note on this thread that you never bought into the hype but think he's a nice lad.

Agreed. I like that he thinks Luke's a nice guy. That's really important to me.

[paddyor]

Best of luck to him. Never bought into the hype about him being a nice lad, great player!

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Best of luck to him. Never bought into the hype about him being a nice lad, great player!

[ronk]

Hope he's okay. Retiring after a neck injury having previously having had surgeries.

Amazing what he achieved in spite of injuries


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[RoboProp]

And I had the best t-shirt idea for him too, the best of the lot.

Luke with Des Fitz, No, I am your father?

[RoboProp]

It's been a long time coming unfortunately. Luke had sublime talent, an uncanny knack of finding space and making defense look like chumps as they grasped at air. He tackled opposition like the attacking player stole from him. He did a lot of it with a grin, like he was enjoying himself on the pitch, sometimes pros don't give off that vibe. Luke always seemed to be having fun, maybe that is what kept him coming back injury after injury. Thank you Luke for the memories, it's been a privilege. It is no wonder my mum tells people with pride that she changed your nappies on occasion when you were a tot!

[tate]

thanks for the memories luuuuke roysh

one of the finest and most talented players leinster and ireland have produced, his dedication to come back time and time again after the horror list of injuries is testimony to his character. such a shame his body broke down as often as it did, he oozed class whenever he togged out.

best of luck in the future with whatever you end up doing

[Donny B.]

Just very sad, even though I'd been expecting this for the last year really. The amount of times he's come back from injuries and often looked so good, only for his body to break down again. Even in these short spells back playing he'd shown signs of the player he could've been with an injury free run. Rugby can be cruel to have him finished at 28 but he fit a lot of great things in his 10 years as a pro and was there for most of the great moments for Leinster and Ireland.

Thanks a million Luke and all the best for the future.

[Blue not red blood]

A pure class act
His cameo appearances over the last couple seasons sadly highlighted how good he was.
His speed and footwork were a joy to behold
Thanks for the memories Luke