Eoin O'Malley Retires.

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/news/10168.php#.UNPMrtZ73w

Expected. but gutted for the lad.

Such a great player in the glimpses we got between injury.

Gibbo will be devastated.

terrible news. such a great prospect

GoodinTightSpaces wrote:terrible news. such a great prospect

Sad to hear, thought he'd replace Dorce at club level, and compete with Marshall and Olding (and Paddy Wallace!) at international level

He would have been competing with Brendan Macken for Bod's jersey.

Bit of a kick in the bollix for all concerned. Him especially.

Then again he is only 25 and has all the time in the world.

when I think about how much I had together at 25 (i.e. feck all)

That's a big hit to what is already a small enough squad of senior players.
He struggled with injury for a while and always gave it his all whenever he played.  I remember that away game to ASM a few years back that BOD was missing and this 'relative' unknown just stepped up in that cauldron and played out of his skin.

With BOD needing careful time management, D'Arcy aging, EOM gone a lot will be required from Goodman, Macken and the others this coming season.  While it is a terrible loss, it is also an opportunity for others to step up - heres hoping that one of the kids from the academy can take full advantage.

it will force MOC to pick Fitz in the centre a good bit this year.

different conversation though. all the best the EOM

Shame, always sad to see a player forced to retire. Only saw him play on a couple of occasions but looked good when he did play.

That is very sad news. Always really liked the lad and rated him highly.

Sad news.

With BOD coming to the end its unfortunate timing for O'Malley. Best of luck to him for his future outside rugby.

GoodinTightSpaces wrote:it will force MOC to pick Fitz in the centre a good bit this year.

different conversation though. all the best the EOM

The worrying thing is that we aren't overrun with with back 3 players in the squad either.  I'd like Fitz there, just wonder if he will raid the back 3 cover or bring through youth?

thebandwagonsociety wrote:

GoodinTightSpaces wrote:it will force MOC to pick Fitz in the centre a good bit this year.

different conversation though. all the best the EOM

The worrying thing is that we aren't overrun with with back 3 players in the squad either.  I'd like Fitz there, just wonder if he will raid the back 3 cover or bring through youth?

totally agree. i'm not totally up to date on some players coming through but are looking extremely light in the back line this year. if im honest i think we were a little light there last year too.

Really liked him as a player. Loved how a small guy could do so well in an environment of big men. Great stepper and passer and had some massive games in blue.
Met him a few times in town and he was always a gent. The Soft spoken nice guy.

In terms of 13. Bod won't play that much so I'd say Macken will be getting a lot more game time and darce may play 13 with goodman at 12 when internationals are on. I'd love Fitz to take over there but our back3 are already dangerously stretched!

Could try and ask the Turks nicely for JD2 - I'm sure Keith Wood would love that  

Will Dave Kearney get a run at 13 perhaps?

I'm assuming Kirtchener, Kearney and McFadden will be the first choice back 3 with Fitzgerald, K2 and Macken providing cover.

A few injuries and Leinster could be really stretched in the backs next year.

Would McFadden not be most likely to be moved from wing into the centres ahead of Luke. He was more of a 12 with EOM as the 13 but he has covered 13 in the past (if memory is correct).

From an Ireland POV, putting Fitz into the 13 position in Leinster for a run of games could really cause Schmidt headaches (in a good way).

When Jen texted this to me today, my heart dropped a beat. I had this lad penciled in at 13 for Leinster & Ireland, for a few of years now. Incredibly talented player. I was at that game down in Toulouse and he was magnificent. That day, he completely negated the need for BOD and that is saying something. I knew he was the One then. His power - for a little fella, rugby-brain and innate skills, were a joy to behold.

I'm gutted. I feel like Leinster have lost a son immaturely.   

I wish him all the best in whatever he does. He is still young enough to make the big choices. He was hugely popular in the Leinster dressing-room, according to BOD.

Rock On Eoin O Malley.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFSGY-zme8A

Its up to Macken now. Must take this chance with both hands and grow into the talent we all know he can be.

Believe.

It is sad to see talented players retire so young. I wish Eoin all the best for his future, he still has his whole life ahead of him.

Must have worked so hard to get to the Leinster academy, then the first team. Then just when he showed us a glimpse of his great potential injuries struck. Gutted for him. But hopefully he'll find himself a new career that he loves. And hopefully we'll see him in future at the RDS as a supporter.

Such a shame that these things happen and end careers. All the best to O'Malley for the future. I'm sure Leinster have some more good midfielders ready to step up, there have been some good players in the recent U20 teams.

Really rough on the lad. Feel very sorry for him.

Any chance we could be allowed to sign cover in the center now? Very doubtful I'd say but a couple of injuries and we could be bollixed next season.

This awful news. Poor lad, can only imagine what body blow this is for him. I really rated him from the few occasions I saw him play, a better footballer than McFadden. Absolutely gutted.