Marty Moore, the accomplished tighthead prop from Ulster, has announced his retirement from professional rugby at just 33 years of age. Cited for medical reasons, Moore is taking the step back from the sport he has devoted himself to, prioritising his mental health. This decision has been fully endorsed by Ulster.
After a career spanning six years with the province, Moore made the decision to focus on his mental well-being. Being a technically proficient scrummager, Moore was a permanent substitute in every match for Ireland, under Joe Schmidt, during the consecutive 2014 and 2015 Six Nations campaigns. However, Moore’s international career hit a stumbling block after he transferred from Leinster to Wasps in 2016.
Moore’s rugby journey began at Barnhall RFC. As part of Leinster’s development scheme, he played for their school’s teams and represented Ireland at a junior level. Following two seasons of playing for the Wasps, Moore was signed by Ulster in 2018. This was where Moore established as the first-choice tighthead prop and a considerable asset to the team until injuries restricted his playtime. Despite being held back by a severe ACL injury, Moore demonstrated great resilience in making a comeback and contributed significantly to Ulster’s success, in addition to his impressive 57 games for Leinster and 50 for Wasps.
Bryn Cunningham, Ulster Rugby’s Head of Rugby Operations and Recruitment, extended his gratitude to Marty Moore for his invaluable contributions over the past six years, which were recognised with 94 caps for the province. Applauding Moore’s dedication, and the trust he fostered with the professional team assisting him, Cunningham acknowledged the undeniable impact Moore has had on the team.
Cunningham anticipates fans joining in to celebrate Moore’s contributions and high performance. He expressed their best wishes for Moore and his family for the future, assuring continued support. Moore’s legacy will continue to linger positively in Ulster, with his long-standing commitment recognised widely.
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