Paddy McAllister announces retirement from rugby

08 June 2021

Paddy McAllister announces retirement from rugby
Following today's announcement regarding the departing players from Connacht, Paddy McAllister has now confirmed his retirement from rugby.
 
McAllister joined Connacht in the summer of 2019 following spells at Gloucester, Aurillac and Ulster, and made 19 appearances in a two-year stint at the club.
 
The prop has released the following statement:
 
I would like to announce my retirement from rugby. The last 14 years have been a dream come true.
 
I have had the privilege to play for four amazing clubs in Ulster, Aurillac, Gloucester and Connacht. I’m lucky that every club I played for had the most passionate fans who travelled everywhere with the team.
 
This little kid growing up in the jungle of Congo never dreamed of having the opportunity to play professional rugby and it’s nothing I took for granted. I have had some real lows and even greater highs, lost friends, suffered career-ending injuries and I am proud to have been able to work through them all to keep the dream alive.
 
I would like to thank all the coaches I have played under since I was 16 to help me make this dream a reality. Through this pandemic the world has experienced problems and heartache and my own family went through something that shook us, and family happiness is something that can’t be put anywhere but first. So this next chapter in my family’s life is exciting and something I’m proud to leave rugby for. To the medical and S&C teams and everyone who has worked in Connacht Rugby to the groundsmen up, I thank you for making this last two years so enjoyable. To my fellow players who have become life long friends, thanks for the memories and the brotherhood. To my parents who brought me to every training session and went to every game they could, thank you so much. To my brothers and sister who were always there for me for advice and guidance, thank you. And to my beautiful wife Deborah who has been there since I was 21, I owe everything to you. You have sacrificed more then anyone would know to allow me to play rugby and did it with style. You're my world and I love you. To my kids Lucy, Maximus and Eliana, I hope Daddy made you proud.
 
In the words of my late grandfather “HALLELUJAH”
 
Paddy