Declan Danaher, the flanker for the Aviva Premiership Rugby Football Union club the London Irish has announced his retirement from playing in professional rugby.
The 34 year old back row player has been the longest serving player for the club since the game turned professional in the 1990s having been capped 275 times by the Exiles since he first pulled on the fabled shirt for the first time in 1999.
Danaher, who has been hailed as a legend for the club by Brian Smith, the club’s Director of Rugby, will continue in his role as the forward’s coach for the club’s academy team.
Speaking after his last match for the club, Danaher stated that it has been a great experience to pull on the fabled London Irish jersey through the good times and the bad. Danaher led the club to victory in the Anglo – Welsh Cup back in 2002 and he said it was privilege to play for the club for so long and mentioned that he has played in some great matches and has been a part of some of the greatest teams in the club’s history.
Danaher went on to add that it was an honor to be a part of a great title winning side back in 2002 as well as having played in so many finals and semi finals throughout his career. He also added that he is looking forward to working with some of the highly talented prospects coming through the youth ranks of the club.
The London Irish appointed him as the club captain back in 2012 and it was in November that he first mentioned that he was contemplating hanging up his boots and was looking for a position on the coaching staff and finally, that journey has come to an end and new one has begun.