Tributes have flown in for Ulster and Ireland winger Andrew Trimble following his announcement on Thursday that he will retire at the end of the season.
Trimble played 229 games for Ulster and was capped 70 times over a 13-year career that started with Ulster in 2005.
The 33-year-old said that playing for Ulster and Ireland were some of the most fulfilling moments of his life and that his decision to retire from professional rugby was a tough choice to make.
— Andrew Trimble (@andrew_trimble) May 3, 2018
Former Ireland teammate Brian O’Driscoll led tributes for Trimble and commended him for the line in his letter to supporters that indicated that his two young children – Jack and Molly – could now rival him for pace over five metres.
What a line @andrew_trimble – in his retirement letter to the supporters :
‘But there’s no way of stopping time – and I see that each day in the lives of my two young children, who are now close to beating me over five metres’. 👏👏👏
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) May 3, 2018
https://twitter.com/John_Afoa/status/992047620297297920
One of my very favourite players, and blokes to deal with, all the best with your retirement @andrew_trimble
Will never forget those tackles on Savea and Squire in Chicago! pic.twitter.com/h5KcYgJBQS
— Pat McCarry (@patmccarry) May 3, 2018
Big @andrew_trimble has announced his retirement from rugby.
What a career he has had. 🏉 pic.twitter.com/bUg0felu0C— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) May 3, 2018
Too many from my legends wall are now leaving, just a few left 😪best of luck for your future guys. #newchallenges #youwillbemissed #mothergoose #tissuesready pic.twitter.com/XjIE7sR0CB
— Sarah Sherry✨❤️ (@SarahSherry1) May 3, 2018
Record breaker @andrew_trimble to retire #ThanksTrimby #SUFTUM #TeamOfUs https://t.co/N2YnRjnIYh pic.twitter.com/R6A0sjY1Vr
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) May 3, 2018
Ulster Operations Director Bryn Cunningham said that Trimble can be justifiably proud of his career and that it’s been fantastic to follow his journey to becoming the province’s most capped player of all time.
“Andrew has been a class act both on and off the pitch,” said Cunningham.
“He has been a great ambassador for Ulster Rugby, having done much to promote our work in the community and to inspire future generations of rugby players from across the nine counties.
“I was still playing here when Andrew first joined the squad and it’s been fantastic to follow his journey to becoming the highest-capped Ulster player of all-time – a remarkable achievement! He has delivered some incredible performances in both the Ulster and Ireland jerseys over the years and he can be justifiably proud of his playing career.
“I know that Andrew will be successful in whatever career he chooses next, and I wish him, Anna, Jackand Molly well in this new chapter for them.”
