Eimear Considine. Photograph: INPHO/Evan Treacy
KILMIHIL’s Eimear Considine has announced her retirement from rugby at the age of thirty three.
During a ten year rugby career, Eimear earned thirty caps for Ireland, the last of which came in their 26-14 win against USA in WXV1 last month, a result which secured a second-place finish for Scott Bemand’s side in the tournament.
She called time on her career after making a memorable comeback this year when she returned to Irish team after two years out of the national side.
Eimear took up rugby at the age of twenty three as part of the Ireland Sevens programme. After making her Ireland XVs debut during the 2017 Six Nations, she featured for Ireland during the Rugby World Cup that year, while playing her club rugby for UL Bohs.
Her entry into rugby began with a message on LinkedIn from Stan McDowell when he enquired about her interest, it went unnoticed for a while but Eimear gladly took up the opportunity and became part of the squad aiming to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Considine took time away from rugby in the second half of 2022 prior to the birth of her first child, Caolán in January 2023. She returned to action three months later but sustained an ACL injury in the interprovincial championships which kept her sidelined for almost an entire year.
As ever, Eimear bounced back from this setback and featured for Munster in the 2024 interpros, before she was a late addition to the Ireland squad for their recent WXV campaign, marking her first cap for more than two years by scoring in the 36-10 win against Australia in September.
In a statement confirming her retirement, Eimear said, “At the age of 23, I was given an opportunity to play rugby. I had no idea back then of the incredible journey that lay ahead. But now, after ten years, I feel it’s time that the journey ends.
“To all my coaches throughout the years at Bohs, Munster, and Ireland, thank you for backing me. To all my team-mates, I have made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. To my family, especially Dean, it wouldn’t have been possible without your support and patience. To all the supporters, you’ve been there through thick and thin and I look forward to joining you from here on out”.
Her husband Dean Ryan was part of the Éire Óg side crowned Clare SFC champions last month in what was a first Jack Daly win for the former Clare footballer. Her mother Kay and sister Ailish have been two of her biggest supporters in all aspects of a storied sporting career.
Prior to turning her hand to rugby, Eimear had been a dual player with Clare in camogie and ladies football and won an All-Ireland intermediate ladies football championship in 2009. She is also an All-Ireland U16 High Jump winner.
