Malcolm O'Kelly - Thanks Big Man

[Scott]

Leinster second row Malcolm O'Kelly has announced that he will retire from competitive action at the end of the season. O'Kelly, 35, made his Leinster debut in February 1995 and is Leinster's most capped player with 186 (including 10 tries). The Templeogue man made 92 Ireland appearances .

[Eug]

Thanks, you'll be missed

[Logorrhea]

O'Kelly and Girve in one season. Nearly the end of an era.

Will be missed.

[sarah_lennon]

This is wretched. Are they doing one per squad announcement.

Thanks Mal for everything!

[meinster]

A great servant and a man who steadfastly refused to be written off many, many times! Thanks for the memories Mal, and good luck in your next move!

[crisco10]

This is wretched. Are they doing one per squad announcement.

Thanks Mal for everything!

Well they can't announce them all at once, this place would melt!

Ah, Mal I will miss his very unique gait!

[Mauler]

Thanks for all memories Big Mal, like Girv another true gent. The very best of luck in whatever you chose in life.

[Grumpy Old Man]

Another great bows out.

Best of luck Mal.

[ronk]

Gutted. I'd been hopeful he'd stay another year.

Sorta flagged with Ed O'Donoghue coming but I held out hopes. Still capable of mixing it at the top (and hopefully he'll prove that).

[Broken Wing]

Ah here. Mal gone as well?

We really have no option but to win the league now. Can't be having the era end with an empty handed season.

Thanks Mal, you'll be missed.

[CiaranIrl]

I had myself convinced he would stay one more year. I was sure he would, looking at the likes of Grewcock and Shaw playing on at 37. Huge shame.

He will be badly missed. Thanks for all the years of service Mal.

[fourthirtythree]

Sad to see you go. Great player, great gent, great to the kids too. Lots of memories and (as mentioned) one of the most distinctive gates stepping out of the paddock.
Fantastic performances towards the end of the season too, as well as IIRC his best sprint in a match early on.

Thanks for everything.

[Mauler]

So the Legends T Shirt Jinx strikes again.
First Hickie, then Reggie, Dr Phil, Jackman, Girv and now Big Mal all gone. D'Arce apparently on his way to the Hairsprays , so only BOD & Shaggy will be playing next season.

[Hickiefan]

Another legend and true gent leaves us. Really is the end of an era.

A Leinsterman to the core, he leaves very big boots to fill. Best of luck in the future Mal. We'll miss you!

[madridlion]

Will we ever see his like again, some many matches for Leinster and Ireland, well done

[shelly94]

Best of luck in the future Mal. Hope we can win now on Saturday so both him and Girv can go out with a bang

[ronk]

Outstanding all-round player. Tough as nails and never suffered in the physical stuff. I remember him taking a vicious right from Julian White as if it were a slap. Very powerful and lots of work in the tight and the loose. He was a skilful player and I felt that Ireland really missed that aspect of his play when he wasn't picked. He was good at moving the ball and perfectly capable of putting someone into space.

[hugonaut]

Great, great player and a fantastic servant to Leinster and Ireland. Mal was still playing international rugby a couple of seasons ago, and was selected on the bench for the Italy match in the 2009 6 Nations. What that has to do with anything, I'm not sure, but it shows incredible longevity!

[ratpack]

Please someone say it ain't so! Mal you've been a great servant to Leinster and Ireland, thank you so much for your effort over all those seasons. One of our true greats. Will never forget the tackle on Regan to beat England in Twickers. Good luck in all that you do in the future!

[Avenger]

Cheers Mal. You've been a ledge.