The IRFU has expressed its sadness at the sudden passing of former Irish rugby player Rory Burke.The former Munster, Connacht, and underage Ireland player tragically passed away at the age of 30 last Friday.
Rory Burke played school rugby with CBC Cork and also lined out for the club Cork Constitution before joining the Munster Academy in 2013. The prop then went on to make his senior debut against Grenoble at Thomond Park in August 2015, before being part of the British & Irish Cup-winning squad in 2017. He was also an All-Ireland League title winner with Cork Con that year. The Cork native also had spells with Connacht and Nottingham.
On the international side, Rory Burke played for the Ireland Under-19s and then the Ireland U-20s in the U-20 Six Nations and the World Rugby U-20 Championship in 2014, where he scored a try.
In a statement, the IRFU said they were saddened to hear of Rory Burke's passing.
"Everyone in Irish rugby is saddened by the tragic passing of former Ireland U-20, Munster, and Connacht player Rory Burke," the IRFU said.
"Rory, who played his school rugby with CBC and his club rugby with Cork Constitution, joined the Munster Academy in 2013 and was a hugely popular member of the squad.
We offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Ireland U20, @Munsterrugby @connachtrugby & @CorkConRugbyFC player Rory Burke.
May he rest in peace.
More: https://t.co/xpQhGCmvCQ pic.twitter.com/hMQuNzri3B— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) August 11, 2024
"Everyone in the IRFU, Munster, and Connacht extends our heartfelt condolences to his wife Sarah, parents Paul and Karen, and all his friends and family who were fortunate enough to have known him."
Connacht and Munster, his former clubs, also paid their respects to their former player.
"Everyone at Connacht Rugby is devastated to learn of the tragic passing of former player Rory Burke, aged just 30 years old," said Connacht.
"Burke was a member of our professional squad for the 2019/20 season and a popular member of the dressing room among players and management alike.
"A powerful loosehead prop, he joined the club from Nottingham, where he made 30 appearances over two years, having previously come through the ranks at Cork Constitution and Munster Rugby. He was also capped by Ireland at the Under-20 level in 2014.
"We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Sarah, parents Paul and Karen, and all his friends and family who were fortunate enough to have known him."
Munster added: "Munster Rugby would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Sarah, his parents Paul and Karen, and to Rory’s wider family and friends at this very difficult time.
"He will be greatly missed by the Munster family and by all those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
"May he rest in peace."
