Ireland wing John Kelly has announced that he will retire from professional rugby when his current contract expires at the end of December.

Kelly made the first of his 153 competitive appearances in the Heineken Cup game against Cardiff in Musgrave Park in September 1997 and he remains their joint-second top try-scorer in the Heineken Cup with 14 tries.

In addition, 15 tries in 60 Magners League appearances leaves him Munster's second highest try-scorer in that competition.

In March 2002 he won the first of his Ireland 17 caps, scoring two tries against Italy at Lansdowne Road and finished his international career at the 2003 World Cup.

"It has been a privilege to represent Munster for the last ten years," said Kelly.

"I have enjoyed my time in the squad on both a professional and personal level, and I will look back on my career with great satisfaction and fond memories."

Kelly, 33, appeared in three Heineken Cup Finals. His last appearance in a Munster jersey was against Saracens in a pre-season friendly at Musgrave Park in September.

"Over the past ten years John Kelly epitomised everything that is good about Munster rugby," said Munster coach Declan Kidney.

"He is - was - exceptionally hard working, extremely talented, and always a team player.

"It is always sad when a player comes to the end of his rugby career and he will be missed. We all wish him every success in his future career."

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