By Sea_point
April 14 2011

While the news has been on the grapevine for a couple of weeks, rugby supporters across the province will be dissapointed to hear that Connacht Rugby have confirmed that their scrum half Conor O'Loughlin a natiive Connacht-man is set to retire from rugby due to a hip injury..

 Conor O'Loughlin has been troubled by a hip injury that has curtailed his involvement with the province this season.

The 28-year-old scrum half was part of Michael Bradley's 2002/03 Ireland Under-21 team alongside current Connacht team-mates John Muldoon and Keith Matthews. He was awarded his first Connacht contract following the Under-21 World Championship.

"I was studying Business Information Systems in Cork when Brads (Michael Bradley) called me and offered me a full-time contract so I jumped at the opportunity. I transferred the course to NUIG and finished it here in Galway," explained O'Loughlin.

His first game for Connacht was against London Irish in August 2003 and he scored his first try later that week against a star-studded Munster team that boasted the likes of Keith Wood, Paul O'Connell and Peter Stringer.

His first competitive game was against the Cardiff Blues, playing alongside Eric Elwood, Michael Swift and Tim Allnutt and he went on to earn 22 caps that season.

A shoulder injury sustained against Montpellier sidelined the Athlone-man for a number of months in 2004 but he recovered well and consistent form and regular game-time with Connacht earned him a cap for Ireland 'A' against England Saxons.

"I've played in some great matches over the years, playing Harlequins at the Sportsground in the Challenge Cup in 2004 was special. That was my first time playing in front of such a huge home crowd and the atmosphere was amazing.

Representing my country when playing for Ireland 'A' was another proud occasion for me," added O'Loughlin, who is one of Connacht's longest serving players with 97 caps to his name.

"Growing up in Connacht, playing underage, you have a lot of loyalty to the province and over the years you grow more and more attached to it.

"Working with Brads was great, he really helped develop my game and was probably the biggest influence during my rugby career.

"I've really enjoyed the last couple of years here; the camaraderie in the squad is fantastic and Eric (Elwood) and his management team are doing some great work with the lads and they're definitely going places."

O'Loughlin sustained an injury to his hip in a game against Montpellier in December 2006 and consequently his hip has deteriorated to a point where he can no longer play rugby.

"I've exhausted every medical avenue at this stage and I've been advised that I can no longer continue my career as a professional rugby player.

"It's taken me a while to get my head around it but everyone's been really helpful and supportive, especially my family and friends, and I'm very grateful to them for that.

"Rugby's been my life for the last eight years so I'm going to have to look at my options now. I've completed a Masters of Finance, my CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Level 1 exam and I'm sitting the Level 2 in June so there are options there for me in a role outside of rugby.

"I've no regrets at all. I've been living the dream for the last eight years and I'm sure I'll come back to it at some stage in some form or another but for now I'm looking forward to the challenge of something different."

Commenting on O'Loughlin's retirement, Connacht head coach Eric Elwood said: "We're all very disappointed that Conor can no longer play, he's been a great servant to Connacht Rugby over the years and will be a massive loss to the province.

"The manner in which Conor has dealt with his injury is remarkable and it is a huge shame that Connacht are losing a homegrown player of his talents.

"Conor has shown great loyalty to Connacht and it's sad to see such a successful career cut short by injury.

"I'm confident he will excel at whatever he moves onto and we wish him the very best of luck in his future endeavours. The door will always be open for him to return to us in some capacity."

O'Loughlin Retires Through Injury

Discussion started by Connacht Rugby Supporters (IP Logged), 14/04/2011 00:17

Connacht Rugby Supporters
14/04/2011 00:17

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Overstrander
13/04/2011 16:13

Connacht Rugby regret to confirm that scrum-half Conor O’Loughlin is being forced to retire from rugby through injury.
The 28-year old former Ireland U21 scrum-half has been troubled with a hip injury that has curtailed his involvement with the Province this season.
Conor was part of Michael Bradley’s 2002/03 Irish U21 side alongside Connacht team-mates John Muldoon and Keith Matthews. He was awarded his first Connacht contract following the U21 World Cup:
“I was studying Business Information Systems in Cork when Brads (Michael Bradley) called me and offered me a full time contract so I jumped at the opportunity. I transferred the course to NUIG and finished it here in Galway.”
Conor’s first game for Connacht was against London Irish in August ‘03 and he scored his first try later that week against a star-studded Munster team that boasted the likes of Keith Wood, Paul O’Connell and Peter Stringer. His first competitive game was against the Cardiff Blues playing alongside Eric Elwood, Michael Swift and Tim Allnutt and he went on to earn 22 caps that season.
A shoulder injury sustained against Montpellier sidelined the Athlone-man for a number of months in ’04 but he recovered well and consistent form and regular game-time with Connacht earned a cap for Ireland ‘A’ against the England Saxons.
“I’ve played in some great matches over the years, playing Harlequins in the Sportsground in the Parker Pen Challenge Cup in ’04 was special. That was my first time playing in front of such a huge home crowd and the atmosphere was amazing. Representing my country for Ireland ‘A’ was another proud occasion for me”
With 97 caps to his name O’Loughlin is one of Connacht’s longest serving players
“Growing up in Connacht, playing underage, you have a lot of loyalty to the Province and over the years you grow more and more attached to it. Working with Brads was great; he really helped develop my game and was probably the biggest influence in my rugby career. I’ve really enjoyed the last couple of years here; the camaraderie in the squad is fantastic and Eric (Elwood) and his management team are doing some great work with the lads and they’re definitely going places.”
Conor sustained an injury to his hip in December 2006 against Montpellier and consequently his hip has deteriorated to a point where he can no longer play rugby
“I’ve exhausted every medical avenue at this stage and I’ve been advised that I can no longer continue my career as a professional rugby player. It’s taken me a while to get my head around it but everyone’s been really helpful and supportive, especially my family and friends, and I’m very grateful to them for that.”
“Rugby’s been my life for the last 8 years so I’m going to have to look at my options now, I’ve completed a Masters of Finance, my CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Level 1 exam and I’m sitting the Level 2 in June so there are options there for me in a role outside of rugby. I’ve no regrets at all; I’ve been living the dream for the last 8 years and I’m sure I’ll come back to it at some stage in some form or another but for now I’m looking forward to the challenge of something different”
Connacht Head Coach Eric Elwood spoke about the news:
“We’re all very disappointed that Conor can no longer play, he’s been a great servant to Connacht Rugby over the years and will be a massive loss to the club. The manner in which Conor has dealt with his injury is remarkable and it is a huge shame that Connacht are losing a home-grown player of his talents. Conor has shown great loyalty to Connacht and it’s sad to see such a successful career cut short by injury. I’m confident Conor will excel at whatever he moves onto and we wish him the very best of luck in his future endeavours, the door will always be open for him to return to us in some capacity.”

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Overstrander
13/04/2011 16:14

I know there mention of this for a while now but I am still really sorry to hear it. Felt he was always an excellent player but just let down by injuries.

Best of luck for the future Conor.

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tohellorto
13/04/2011 17:32

I always had good time for Conor as scrum half. Many many times when he came on as replacement, whole tempo of game changed. Best wishes to Conor for the future!

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confan1
13/04/2011 19:04

He has always been my first choice (when fit) for scrum half. I just like the way he plays. I wish him well in anything he pursues.

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Borders no.2
13/04/2011 19:26

Best of luck to him in the future. He looks like he has his head screwed on. Good player, dogged by injury unfortunately and also losing out at times to some baffling team selections under Bradley. His final appearance for 20 or so minutes against Samoa hightlighted his qualities.

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jbrowne
13/04/2011 20:07

Always a very attack minded scrumhalf which is something Connacht always need. A great player and a big lose to us.

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YoungBlood
13/04/2011 22:44

Like tohellorto, I thought Conor was a great player to change the tempo when he came off the bench, the one time that stands out was in the Edinburgh away game a few seasons ago, getting well beaten only to have this lightning quick scrum half make break after break. Not too sure if he scored or not, and we still got badly beaten that day, but showed his total commitment. Want to wish him all the best in his future and thank him for his time at the club.

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al omaniya
14/04/2011 09:46

All the best Conor. Was always the most talented scrum half on our books down his years here.

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ummm,
14/04/2011 10:43

Gutted for Conor.

Got to wear the Connacht jersey for many years, that's something to hold your head up high.

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Sheepsean
14/04/2011 10:43

Best of Luck Conor.A cracking and very under-rated player who always kept the opposition on their toes.An attacking minded scrumhalf with a great ability to break from anywhere.

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connolly
14/04/2011 11:31

So sorry to hear about Connor, he was a great player and servant for coooacht rugby he will be sadly missed. all the best for the future and hope to see him back as a coach or in another roll.

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lgwt@castlebar
14/04/2011 17:46

Best SH we have had over the past few seasons but had no luck at all with the injuries. Thanks for the entertainment you gave us when allowed to and best for the future.

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