Ballyhooly native bows out at the top of professional rugby

CORK native Mike Ross paid tribute to his teammates, coaches, family and friends after bowing out of rugby after a stellar career and Leinster and Ireland.

The Ballyhooly native, now 37, played his best rugby in the second half of his career, developing into a vital player at the highest level.

He won two Six Nations titles, two Heineken Cups, a Challenge Cup and two PRO12 titles.

“I can’t complain. I think I squeezed as much as I could out of it. I never dreamed having had such a late start in the professional game that I’d win 61 caps for Ireland.

“I’m indebted to my teammates and coaches, my friends, and family,” Ross said.

“Not a lot of us get to go out on our own terms. You’ll always push yourself as much as you can, try to get as much out of it as you can, that might mean sacrificing a big farewell.”