Ulster tighthead prop Marty Moore has been forced to retire from rugby following medical advice to prioritise his mental wellbeing.
The 33-year-old made the decision to step back from the sport after six years at Ravenhill, playing 94 times for the province.
Ulster’s head of rugby operations Bryn Cunningham said: “On behalf of everyone at Ulster Rugby, past and present, I would like to say thank-you to Marty for all that he has given to the club over the past six years.
“I think we can safely say that Ulster saw the best of Marty through a distinguished career where he became a cornerstone of the team. That’s testament to not only his application but also the trust built up over the years with all the senior professional staff who worked tirelessly to support his performance.
“With many stand-out moments in an Ulster jersey, we know that our supporters will take the time to join us in celebrating an outstanding career.
“We wish Marty, and his family, the best for his future and we will continue to support him in every way possible. He can hold his head high as one of the Ulster men who made the province his home and made a huge contribution on the pitch.”
Moore started his career at his local club Barnhall before making his was into the Leinster senior team. He won the the first of 10 international caps in 2014, helping Ireland to win the Six Nations in both 2014 and 2015.
After two seasons at Wasps in the English Premiership, Marty joined Ulster Rugby in 2018 and immediately made an impact at tighthead prop. A long-term ACL injury halted Marty from making more appearances in an Ulster jersey, but he showed remarkable determination to recover and play for the province again.