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Leicester's Geordan Murphy set to retire at end of season

By Martin BallardBBC Radio Leicester

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments19

Geordan Murphy

Veteran Leicester Tigers captain Geordan Murphy is planning to retire at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old former Ireland international full-back has spent the last 16 years at Welford Road.

But he told BBC Radio Leicester: "It's planned to be my last contracted year.

"If I feel I can continue playing then I will be baying Cockers [Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill] for another contract, but if it's time to go then it's time to go."

Murphy, who has played in seven Premiership-winning teams, four Heineken Cup finals and has also won 72 caps for Ireland, added: "I love it a lot and would contemplate staying on, but I don't know what shape my body will be at the end of the season."

"I'm hopefully going to sign off with some silverware."

He made his Tigers debut as a teenager in November 1997 and has played more than 300 games for the club.

"Things went fantastically well in my first three years, but I didn't ever expect to play for the first team," said Murphy, who announced his retirement from international rugby in May.

"I was offered another three-year contract and went on to win European trophies and lots of other silverware. At the end of that, I felt very loyal to the club and sort of made it my home away from home."

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19 comments

  • Comment posted by Not2serious, at 12:24 6 Sep 2012

    A brilliant servant to the club, scorer of the best try I have ever seen - ruining on to an overhead kick at full speed, he managed to chip the ball, catch it and scored. So solid under the high ball and more than tackled his weight. I am glad we know now so that we can appreciate even more watching him play this season.

    Thanks Geordan.

  • Comment posted by flashpaddler, at 21:09 6 Sep 2012

    As a Saints fan, I'd just like to say how sad I am to read this news. Geordan is one of the most talented players ever to grace a rugby field and I always looked forward to and enjoyed watching him play. In his heyday, he was without question the best in the world. He's also a true gentleman - I very much hope he stays involved in East Midlands rugby in some capacity

  • Comment posted by U15416154, at 14:11 6 Sep 2012

    Excellent fullback, superb on the counter attack. Nice guy as well, I remember having a beer with him in Leciester during my uni days. Tigers legend

  • Comment posted by howitis, at 13:56 6 Sep 2012

    An absolute role model, brilliantly loyal to the Tigers and whom should have had even more caps for Ireland. If the club has any sense they will hold on to him after he retires, either as a coach or a "representative".

  • Comment posted by Chris, at 13:22 6 Sep 2012

    Sorry to see this elegant throwback calling it a day.

    If he'd been playing before muscle rugby, his craft and guile would have put him on a par with David Duckham, Barry John, Phil Bennett and Serge Blanco.

    My memory of GM will not of his tries, but of fearing for his skinny limbs taking countless high balls in a mass of rampaging backrowers - only to emerge unscathed!

  • Comment posted by RnB0804, at 13:00 6 Sep 2012

    As a Bath and England fan, he was always a player you hope would be left out!

    Great player - Leicester have been lucky!

  • Comment posted by Tiniggs, at 12:47 6 Sep 2012

    Let's hope his body survives this season in good shape and that we get a further season of his wonderful skills and commitment. If this is not to be, then all the best for the future, Geordan.

  • Comment posted by tigerburnie, at 09:37 8 Sep 2012

    Tigers legend,but word has it he was mis-quoted and it's his contract that ends this year,so we offer him another and he is happy to carry on,body willing he said.
    A perfect candidate for a coach for the Tigers.

  • Comment posted by U14343170, at 11:46 7 Sep 2012

    G'wan yerself Geordan! Been a fan of Leicester for a long time and I'm always impressed with your abilities... Good Luck!!

  • Comment posted by U3246151, at 10:29 7 Sep 2012

    Great player and absolutely top guy! Good luck with the restaurant Geordan!

  • Comment posted by U3410346, at 08:06 7 Sep 2012

    What a brilliant, mercurial talent. Went to my old school and watched him as a schoolboy, he was superb. Quick, great feet, incredible passer and unselfish all the attributes he went onto use later on. He was shamefully treated by Ireland and in particular Eddie O Sullivan, a conservative, who never trusted Geordies gifts. He never moaned, just kept his dignity, and Leicester's gain was our loss.

  • Comment posted by GlosterJock, at 07:24 7 Sep 2012

    The last fixture Leicester play this season is versus London Irish. How appropriate. Geordan will surely receive a standing ovation. A brilliant player with immense talent and skill. One of those players, who alone, is worth paying the price of the ticket.

  • Comment posted by U14385382, at 07:17 7 Sep 2012

    I miss watching him play for Ireland. He's a great player. Definitely one of the best to watch.

  • Comment posted by freya, at 20:03 6 Sep 2012

    great servant to Leicester and Ireland truly one of the greats and very loyal to his club

  • Comment posted by U15392201, at 16:47 6 Sep 2012

    Absolute legend should have got more Irish caps but his loyalty to Leicester ment he didn't which is a shame but a great club career who knows he may be tempted by 1 more year!

  • Comment posted by U14873777, at 16:37 6 Sep 2012

    An absolute legend of the game, must agree with many of the comments on here and as a Tigers fan am hoping he will get another season, if not maybe he will return as a coach as I'm sure he has plenty still to offer the game.
    No matter what good luck.

  • Comment posted by U15416323, at 16:13 6 Sep 2012

    A superb full back who was very unlucky that he was about at a time when Ireland had a run of other very good full backs, although I always thought he never quite got the benefit of the doubt in some instances, perhaps because he played in England rather than Ireland.

  • Comment posted by View from a ploughed field, at 14:06 6 Sep 2012

    Annoyingly good to watch.

    As a Gloucester and England fan I echo #4 RnB0804 in that you hoped he would be left out.

    Good luck for the season Mr. Murphy

  • Comment posted by U14644753, at 12:33 6 Sep 2012

    Always been an admirer of Geordan Murphy.

    If it it to be his last year of playing, then I wish him all the very best for the season.

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