Former Ospreys wing Tommy Bowe has announced he is to retire at the end of the season.
Currently out injured with a shoulder problem, Bowe, 33, is arguably Ireland and Ulster’s greatest ever wing, but spent a good chunk of his peak years with the Welsh region.
Out of form and suffering a career dip at his native Ulster, Bowe moved to the Ospreys in 2008 and went on to re-ignite his fortunes with 36 tries in 77 appearances.
With Shane Williams on the other flank, Bowe was part of a deadly back line at the Liberty Stadium and both players went on the 2009 Lions tour to South Africa. In the same season, Bowe helped Ireland to the Six Nations Grand Slam and set them on their way with a blistering try against Wales in Cardiff.
Bowe returned to Ulster in 2012 and has a current tally of 69 Ireland caps and 150 Test points in a career often interrupted by injury.
Bowe wrote a poem on Twitter on Monday, which read: “I’ve spent most of my career in Belfast, At first George said I wasn’t very fast, I eventually found my gears, Had some incredible years, But it’s time to tell you – this is my last!”
Bowe played in all three Lions Tests against South Africa in 2009, and in two Tests in Australia in 2013.
A year after his Grand Slam success he was named Six Nations Player of the Championship in 2010.
Former Lions, Ireland and Ulster team-mate Stephen Ferris paid tribute and said “Tommy is genuine, down to earth and a real gentleman – people know him for his rugby ability, but thankfully over the years I have been able to get to know the man behind the try scoring machine that has graced fields all over the world.
“Representing Ireland at such an early age didn’t phase him. He went on to write his name into the history books, and no one will ever forget that incredible Grand Slam try against Wales in 2009 when he just seemed to get faster and faster when heading for the try line. Awesome.
“I know playing for Ulster, the club where he learned his trade, really meant the world to him. He is an inspirational player on and off the pitch and who will be sadly missed when he hangs the boots up at the end of the season.
“For me he’s not only a good friend, but the best winger I ever graced the pitch with.”
