Dubliner Ian McKinley, who was forced to retire at 21 due to a serious eye injury while playing only to return and play Test rugby for Italy, has announced he has hung up his boots for the last time.
A decade on from that injury to his left eye while in an AIL game while in the Leinster academy and three years on from making his comeback by becoming the first player to wear goggles while playing, McKinley is happy to bow out on his own terms.
He played seven times for Leinster before moving to Italy to begin coaching.
On his return to playing, the out-half joined Benetton before earning nine Italy caps under the three-year residency rule, all off the bench.
McKinley played on three occasions against Ireland, including in the 2019 Six Nations.
In more recent times he has been involved in coaching in the AIL and has been working as a pundit, most recently during Virgin Media's Six Nations coverage.
“Today, aged 31, I officially announce my second retirement from playing rugby at all levels of the game," he said in a statement.
"My professional career has been unconventional.
"10 years ago, I was forced aged 21 to announce my retirement from Leinster and Ireland U20s, when my left eyeball was perforated and my retina detached, following a rugby injury.
"It was very hard to accept this decision.
"I moved to Udine in Italy to coach rugby. After three years an opportunity arose to become the first player in the world to use Rugby Goggles and play with protection for my good eye. This return led to a global campaign seeking access to play at the highest levels of rugby, albeit as a visually impaired, professional out-half.
"By helping to bring into law the worldwide use of Rugby Goggles, it has been an incredible joy to see thousands of other visually impaired players enabled to play rugby. This will always give me an enormous sense of achievement and pride.
"Following the Barbarians, Pro14, Champions Cup, Six Nations and International campaigns, today I get to finish my playing career again, but happily this time on my own terms.
"I want to sincerely thank all the teams, coaches and staff from school to international level that I have been a part of. I am deeply indebted to teams in Ireland such as St Columba's College, UCD, St Mary's College, Leinster Rugby and Ireland underage teams who nurtured and developed my early career. I am also particularly grateful to those in Italy who gave me a second chance - Leonorso, Viadana, Zebre, Benetton and of course the Italian national team.
"I also want to thank the rugby community in Ireland and Italy especially, who have been incredibly supportive in my playing journey from beginning to end. And to the teammates who have become friends for life.
"But mostly I’d like to thank my amazing wife, family and friends who have lifted me up in my darkest days and have supported me unconditionally throughout my playing career.
"I look forward to what the future holds.”
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