RugbyU: Former Ireland star O'Leary retires

LONDON: Former Ireland and Munster scrum-half Tomas O'Leary announced his retirement on Tuesday.

O'Leary made his name on international stage when he started four of Ireland's five games in their victorious 2009 Six Nations campaign.

It was only Ireland's second Grand Slam and their first since 1948.

O'Leary was selected for the 2009 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa before being ruled out by a broken ankle sustained while on Munster duty.

Cork-born O'Leary, who won 24 Ireland caps, also won the European Cup twice with Munster in 2006 and 2008.

"I have had an incredible career from my academy days in Munster to my last game in Montpellier, all of which have been extremely satisfying," O'Leary wrote in announcing his retirement on the Navy Blue blog.

"I have realised my ambition of representing Munster and Ireland.

"Wearing the red and green jerseys has been a real honour.

"Highlights that stand out are the two Heineken Cup victories with Munster and winning the Grand Slam in 2009 with Ireland."

O'Leary played nearly 130 games for Munster before joining English Premiership club London Irish in 2012.

He returned to Munster in 2015 and finished his career with French Top 14 side Montpellier last season.