LONDON Irish players formed a guard of honour for Declan Danaher before their side's St Patrick’s Party defeat to Bath at the Madejski Stadium over the weekend.
The tribute was awarded to the Exiles’ back row forward after Danaher announced his retirement from playing rugby last week.
Danaher - who is the club’s longest-serving player in the professional era – will, however, continue in his coaching capacity with the club when the season ends.
This season he had combined playing with a coaching role as Forwards Coach of the Club’s Academy.
A crowd of around 22,000 paid their appreciation to the club stalwart as a video of Danaher was shown and he did a lap of the pitch before being presented with a framed shirt.
However it was not to be a fairytale afternoon for the 34-year-old after Bath claimed a bonus-point in the 44-23 win, making for the Exiles’ third straight Aviva Premiership loss.
London Irish have since moved to strengthen their squad with the club today announcing that they expect to sign 31-year-old Scotland prop Geoff Cross from Edinburgh at the end of the season.
Director of rugby Brian Smith also reiterated his desire to bring in forwards after Saturday's defeat.
He said: "We're still going to keep trying to build that pack and the strength in depth. We want more steel in the pack and we have one or two things we want to address in the backs as well."
Of Danaher's retirement, Smith said: “Declan has always been a warrior on the field and a great ambassador for the club off the field.
“He is a true Irish legend and epitomises what is good about the game.”
Danaher himself said: “It has always been a privilege to wear the London Irish jersey through the good times and the tough times. It was an honour to win a trophy in 2002 and play in so many other semi-finals and finals.
“I would like to thank everyone who has helped me over the last 15 years of my journey of which there are too many to mention.”
Declan joined London Irish in 1999 and has gone on to make 275 appearances in all competitions scoring 23 tries.
