Squad News:John Kelly has been included in Declan Kidney's extended 28-man squad ahead of the Magners Celtic League game against provincial rivals Connacht at the Sportsground next Thursday.
Kelly is Munster's second most capped player behind Anthony Foley, who announced his retirement earlier today. He is set to quit professional rugby when his current contract expires at the end of the month.
That means if Kelly features in next week's game in Galway it will be his last for Munster. He won his first cap for Munster back in 1997, but has been troubled by injury in more recent times.
"It has been a privilege to represent Munster for the last ten years," the former UCC player said today. "I have enjoyed my time in the squad on both a professional and personal level, and I will look back on my career with great satisfaction and fond memories."
Kelly has had trouble with injuries of late but he boasts a sparkling career in the provincial game and represented Ireland on 17 occasions, scoring two tries on his debut against Italy at Lansdowne Road in March 2002. His international career was brief and ended after the 2003 World Cup. Munster squad:
Forwards:T Buckley, M Horan, F Pucciariello, J Hayes, F Sheahan, J Flannery, D Ryan, D O'Callaghan, M O'Driscoll, D Leamy, J Coughlan, N Ronan, J Paringatai, D Wallace, A Foley.
Backs:S Payne, D Hurley, I Dowling, B Carney, J Kelly, A Horgan, B Murphy, K Lewis, L Mafi, G Hurley, P Stringer, P Warwick, R O'Gara.