Rugby League star retires with eye injury sustained in attack outside Wigan ...

Rugby League star Sean Gleeson has announced his retirement from the sport after he suffered a serious eye injury in an attack outside a nightclub.

The 26-year-old Wigan-born Hull Kingston Rovers player was attacked after he got into an argument with three men outside Ibiza Bar on King Street in Wigan on March 2.

He was taken to hospital with a serious injury to his eye after he was punched several times in the face before his attackers fled.

The player joined Hull on a three-year contract from Salford Red Devils at the start of last season.

His club said in a statement: “It is with deep sadness and regret that Hull Kingston Rovers can confirm Sean Gleeson has called time on his career with immediate effect.

“He suffered a serious eye injury earlier this season and has been advised to retire from rugby league at the tender age of 26 following a meeting with medical experts last week.”

Gleeson, who also played for home-town club Wigan, Widnes and Wakefield, made just six first-team appearances for Hull after being dogged by injury.

He said: “It is with saddened regret that I have made the decision to retire from the great sport of rugby league.”

The player thanked the club for its support and said he had faced a difficult time coming to terms with the news.

Gleeson has hung up his boots having made 134 career appearances, scoring 37 tries, and he represented Ireland at the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

Hull KR chief executive Mike Smith said: “This is sad news for everybody connected to Hull Kingston Rovers and our thoughts are with Sean, his family and his friends at this difficult time.”

He added: “For his career to come to an end in this fashion is very cruel. The club will continue to offer its full support to Sean in the coming days and weeks as he begins to look towards the future.”

Police launched a witness appeal following the attack, which happened at 4am.

Detectives said that the time that Gleeson’s injury was ‘extremely serious’. They issued CCTV footage in a bid to trace those responsible.

Two men aged 21 and 24 were arrested on suspicion of assault and were released on bail until later this month pending further inquiries.

A third man, 28, was later released without charge.

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Article source: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/jun/01/international-rugby-board-facing-a-tmo-problem-that-will-not-go-away

Rugby League star retires with eye injury sustained in attack outside Wigan ...