Michelle Claffey, who announced her retirement from the Irish women's rugby team today (Tuesday).

'Over and out': Rugby international Michelle Claffey hangs up the Irish jersey

Adrian Cusack

Published: Tue 31 May 2022, 3:12 PM

Michelle Claffey has announced her retirement from the Irish women's rugby team after a distinguished international career in which she earned 14 caps.

In a post on social media today, the 34-year-old from Clonaderig, near Ballinahown, said representing her country had been "an amazing privilege and honour."

She confirmed to this newspaper that she would be continuing to play for her club, Blackrock, and still had the ambition of winning an All Ireland League title as a player.

Michelle made her Six Nations debut as a substitute against Italy in 2018 and made her first start for Ireland against the USA later that year.

In the most recent Six Nations campaign, she featured among the replacements in Ireland's defeat to England and in the campaign-ending victory against Scotland.

Ireland, you've been incredible. Thank you for the memories, the laughs, the highs, but not so much the lows
Representing your country is an amazing privilege and honour, and I loved the experience. Thank you to all the people who made it what it was
☘️💚#OverAndOut #IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/sVSzUpL858
— Michelle Claffey (@MichelleClaffe) May 31, 2022

In response to her announcement this afternoon, the official Irish Rugby Twitter account tweeted, "Great player, great person. Thanks Claff!"

Many others have also been congratulating her on her contribution to the Irish side, describing her as "an amazing ambassador for the sport," and someone who "represented Ireland so well."

A daughter of Anne and Mossy Claffey, Michelle's performances for Blackrock, Leinster and Ireland in 2018 saw her being named as the Westmeath Independent Sports Star of the Year for 2018.