Ulster Unionist sports spokesperson Michael McGimpsey MLA has paid tribute to Ulster rugby star Stephen Ferris who today announced his retirement from the game through injury at the age of 28.
Mr McGimpsey said:
“Stephen Ferris was an outstanding rugby talent and the news of his retirement will be a blow to many people in this Province and further afield.
“He packed a great deal into his career which included 106 appearances for Ulster, 35 for Ireland including a key role as part of the 2009 Grand Slam winning team, played at the 2011 Rugby World Cup and toured South Africa with the British Lions.
“He was hugely popular with the Ravenhill crowd and his team-mates, received a great deal of admiration for the way in which he battled against injury and I know that rugby fans from far and wide will be deeply saddened at the news that he has been forced to retire with an ankle injury at the very early age of 28.”