Kristian Dacey has today announced his retirement from professional rugby
The hooker leaves the club after amassing 202 appearances - taking him to third on the appearance list during the regional era.
The Merthyr man, who won a unique Youth Treble with the Ironmen, came through the regional pathway as a number eight but made a positional switch to hooker in 2010. That proved an inspired decision and Dacey has been ever present since enjoying his breakthrough during the 2012-13 season.
Not only is he now the third highest appearance maker of the post-2003 era but also the highest try-scoring forward with 34 tries.
Dacey also won eight international caps and was called from Wales 2017 summer tour of the Pacific Islands to link up with the British & Irish Lions.
In an emotional statement, Dacey said:
As the saying goes ‘all good things must come to an end’ and It is with great pride I have decided to call time on my career as a professional rugby player.
I started playing rugby age 5 with Merthyr RFC and have played for great clubs along the way. I’d like to thank Merthyr, Abercynon, Neath College, Pontypridd and Cardiff who have all played a huge part in my journey to becoming a professional rugby player.
I am very proud to have come through the regional pathway starting at Cardiff Blues U16s and I have now finished my 12 seasons for Cardiff Rugby. It is my home region and I am immensely proud to be a one club man for this historic club. Recently reaching the milestone of 200 caps for Cardiff Rugby is something I am immeasurably proud of and I never taken for granted a single time I was able to wear the jersey. I have made incredible memories with incredible people. Winning the European Challenge Cup final in Bilbao, captaining the team to a win against a full hit Toulouse team out in Toulouse and beating Toulon in a bouncing Arms Park are among countless memories I will cherish forever.
Being selected and playing for Wales is, and always will be, a huge honour and one of my proudest achievements. Playing against New Zealand after facing the Haka and beating South Africa in a sold out Principality Stadium are memories that will live with me forever. Being called into the British and Irish lions tour in 2017 was an unbelievable experience, training with and being coached by legends of the game was a priceless experience that I know I was unbelievably lucky to have had.
I have many people to thank including everyone I have played with and against at all levels of the game as well as coaches, physios, medical teams, kit men and back room staff that I have had the honour of sharing a dressing room with. I would also like to thank my agents at Engage Sport. You have all been instrumental in my journey and I have made friends for life. A huge thank you to the fans who are the 16th man in all weathers, your unwavering support is always appreciated and never taken for granted. Cardiff Arms Park is one of the best club grounds in the world and that’s down to the thousands of supporters who come out every week and create an atmosphere like no other.
To my Mam and Dad, I can’t thank you both enough for the start in life you have given me, the sacrifices you have made and your continued support. To my brother Gavin, the only reason I started playing rugby is because I wanted to be like you, you led by example and always pushed me to want to be better. To my sister Charlene thanks for teaching me that hard work always pays off. To my parents-in-law Bill and Jude and the rest of my family and friends, your support and encouragement has meant more than you’ll ever know.
To my wife Erin, you have been my biggest supporter and have been up in the stands long before I played my first professional game, I couldn’t have gone on this journey without you. Your support and positivity was always at its highest and most important when I was at my lowest and for that I will be forever grateful. To my boys Taliesin and Elian, I hope I have made you proud and I will strive to continue to make you proud.
I have had nine operations in my career without the muscle tears, broken bones and bulging disks that have required interventions other than surgery. I have decided to call it a day while I am still able to enjoy running around with my children.
When I left primary school we had to write down what we wanted to be when we grew up, I wrote “a rugby player who has played for Wales”. Thank you to everyone who has made my childhood dream a reality and thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way!
Thanks for the memories.
Diolch am yr atgofion.