Another sad tale of a player having his career cut short with injury. Connacht's Ben Marshall has been forced to announce his retirement at the age of 26.
The club said this afternoon that Marshall was forced to retire "based on medical advice following a concussion injury."
The second row/flanker signed for Connacht just before the historic 2015-16 season and signed a new contract last March. Injuries have blighted his time with the province.
Marshall played three times with Emerging Ireland and spent five years with Leinster between 2010 and 2015. He signed for Connacht Prior to that, he played his club rugby with UCD and Old Belvedere.
In the Connacht press release, Marshall thanked everyone at the province for their help and spoke about what he'd miss from the game.
“Unfortunately, my time as a player has come to an end earlier than I would have wished. It has been a difficult time not being able to play since the injury but having had some time away from the game, I can appreciate how fortunate I’ve also been in my career.
“Special thanks have to be extended to my teammates and friends, from schoolboy through to professional level. We have shared many highlights that I will carry with me for years to come, and it is the quiet camaraderie of the dressing room that I will miss the most.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the Connacht head physio Garrett Coughlan and the medical team who have given me wonderful care and support over the past eleven months.
“I am looking forward to continuing in my financial studies and the new career path that is ahead of me, but I will always be appreciative of the lessons that Willie (Ruane) and Pat (Lam) taught me during my time at Connacht Rugby.”
Pat Lam paid tribute to his player and said that he would had made friends for life from his time in rugby.
“Ben was unfortunate through injury during his time at Connacht Rugby but we always saw his professional attitude shine through on and off the pitch. He is an excellent team man who has achieved a lot in the game from a very young age and I have no doubt that he will go on to achieve great things in his business and life pursuits going forward. He will have a support system and friends for life from his time in rugby and we wish him well for the future.”
