Lindsay Peat has announced her retirement from international rugby but will continue to play with her club, Railway Union.
Peat, who played underage soccer for Ireland, represented her country at basketball and claimed an All-Ireland football title with the Dublin women’s team in 2014, won 38 caps for the Ireland women’s rugby team, having made her debut in 2015. Her final appearance was against the USA in the RDS last November.
A brilliant competitor, she was fearless and thoroughly committed as an Irish rugby player, making the No 1 jersey her own for most of her six-year career. She said in a statement: “I always dreamed of becoming a professional athlete, a sportsperson, and I have on the greatest level possible fulfilled that dream.
“The last six years have given me the chance to sing my beloved Amhrán na bhFiann, to sing Ireland’s Call, to meet the President of Ireland, to play in a home World Cup. In 38 appearances I have scored tries for my country and given away a few too! I have laughed, I have cried. I really did go out and ‘break a leg’!
“I want to take this opportunity to give a special thank you to everyone who has played an integral part in my journey over the last six years. To the IRFU and all the staff at No. 10/12, to the HPC, coaching & management teams, medical staff, S&C coaches; nutritionists; game officials, sponsors and Rugby Players Ireland. To my opponents, my teammates; my club Railway Union – thank you.”
