Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I rise today to congratulate and thank the Irish rugby team for the pleasure that they have given us over the past number of weeks with their participation in the Rugby World Cup. While many people were disappointed over the weekend certainly they gave us their all.

I pay tribute to Johnny Sexton and wish him well in his retirement. I also pay tribute to Munster's own Keith Earls who has announced his retirement and confirmed that today. I also pay tribute to his wife, Edel, their family, his mother, Sandra, his father, Ger, and to the clubs that he played with. He paid tribute to various clubs ranging from Young Munster, to Garryowen, to Thomond and to his own school of St. Munchin's College. Keith has been an inspiration to many young sports people male and female.I thank him. He played more than 100 games for his country and togged out for his club and province on so many occasions. He has been an inspirational player. The end of the road has probably come for Keith in terms of playing rugby, but I believe we will still see him involved, whether on the sideline, in training or whatever. He has helped so many young people because he has spoken about his mental health. That is a very hard thing for an active sports person to talk about. He has been quite open and is an inspiration to so many. I wish him well in his retirement.