Retired.

Leinster winger Barry Daly has announced his immediate retirement from the game to pursue further education.

The 27-year-old has stepped away from the game after two injury-hampered years during which he was sidelined by significant knee problems.

After 36 appearances and 19 tries for Leinster, Daly will now travel stateside to continue his education, pursuing a Masters degree in Business.

Speaking to leinsterrugby.ie, Daly said of his decision:

“It was a combination of things, the knee, two years of injuries, I got the opportunity to study abroad. I’ve got a scholarship to study in Boston for two years, I’m doing an MBA there.

“I didn’t really know for sure until towards the end of my injury rehab. I was coming back, looking to play and the whole pandemic was just kicking off then.

“Thankfully, Ella McCabe (Rugby Players Ireland) had been on my case hard the last couple of years with all the injury time to prepare for after rugby and she put me on to this scholarship.

“I actually got that fairly shortly after the whole lockdown kicked off so that was pretty much the decision made for me. I wasn’t able to play for Leinster anymore and I’d gotten this incredible opportunity to go and study in Boston College.”

We wish him all the best in his new venture.