Dave McSharry left behind a winning team. Early retirement will sting but there are worse ways to leave the game you love.
The 26-year-old centre got the news he had been fearing a few days back. In reality, he knew it was coming.
He hoped it wasn't but life isn't always what you hope it.
Life is often what you make it and McSharry made himself an invaluable, talented centre for Connacht. He was destined to play for Ireland until injuries intervened and wouldn't get out of his way.
He was part of the Connacht team that slayed the mighty Toulouse at Stade Ernest-Wallon in December 2013 but, to my mind, his finest moment came against Leinster a year before. That night, McSharry got the try-scoring started, in a 34-6 rout, when he took a great line and burst through the Leinster defence.
Three months later, he was superb in a Heineken Cup home win over Biarritz. "Dave McSharry was immense in the middle of the park," declared then-coach Eric Elwood.
The fact that we are speaking about 2012 and 2013 will probably tell you that McSharry did not have the best of runs, healthwise, near the curtain call. He was a regular starter in 2014/15 before ending the season on the sidelines.
In his final 18 months as a pro rugby player, McSharry tore his cruciate ligament, broke a finger and damaged a shoulder. He was also concussed four times in 12 months. In the end, the concussion toll was too much.
The Dubliner posted a heartfelt farewell, after his retirement was confirmed, and highlighted the support of teammates, fans, friends and family, and his luck at having 'so many unbelievable memories to cherish'.
He concluded by saying he is looking forward to returning to The Sportsground as a fan in the years ahead.
He will be warmly welcomed in Galway by the Connacht faithful.
https://twitter.com/DaveMcSharry/status/766273294030872576
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