Munster and Ireland wing John Kelly has announced that he will retire from professional rugby when his current contract expires at the end of the month.

"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.

The former Capuchine College student appeared in three European Cup finals and is second only to Anthony Foley as Munster's most-capped player having made 153 competitive appearances.

In that time he established himself as the province's joint top try-scorer in the European Cup with 14 and touched down 15 times in 60 Magners League outings.

Speaking today Munster coach Declan Kidney said: "Over the past ten years John Kelly epitomised everything that is good about Munster Rugby. He is (was) exceptionally hard working, extremely talented, and always a team player.

"It is always sad when a player comes to the end of his rugby career and he will be missed. We all wish him every success in his future career."