Nora Stapleton has announced that she has retired from international rugby – after a stellar career that included 50 caps for Ireland.
Stapleton made her 50th and final appearance in Saturday’s Women’s Rugby World Cup seventh-place play-off defeat to Wales in Belfast.
Ireland lost 27-17, a third successive defeat and meant a disappointing ending to the tournament for the hosts.
“Hard to say goodbye but Saturday’s game wasn’t just my 50th cap but also my final cap,” Fahan native Stapleton wrote.
“Thanks for the incredible support over the years.”
The 34-year-old made her debut in the 2010 Six Nations against Italy. Later that year she helped the Donegal senior ladies GAA team win an All-Ireland Intermediate crown.
The out-half won the Grand Slam in 2013 and the Six Nations in 2015, while she wore the number 10 in Ireland’s famous win over New Zealand at the 2014 World Cup.
Nora works as Women’s Rugby Development Executive with the IRFU and has played a key role in promoting the women’s game in Ireland.
Tags:Hard to say goodbye but Saturday’s game wasn’t just my 50th cap but also my final cap. Thanks for the incredible support over the years. 🍀💚 pic.twitter.com/smfTkCIJlZ
— Nora Stapleton (@NoraStapleton) August 29, 2017
