Castleford Tigers legend Paul McShane makes retirement decision

Former Man of Steel winner and current Castleford Tigers co-captain Paul McShane has confirmed that the 2024 campaign will be his last as a full-time player.

The 34-year-old will retire from full-time rugby league at the end of the 2024 season, which possibly leaves open the door for the former Man of Steel winner to move into a part-time role.

News of McShane’s retirement was announced by the club with McShane commenting within the club’s statement.

It means that tonight’s home game against Leigh Leopards will be the last of his nine-year spell with Castleford Tigers. Fittingly, The Jungle is expected to host a huge crowd as Cas fans aim to pack it out to ensure that they reach the maximum IMG points on the attendance metric.

The club’s veteran hooker has missed much of the 2024 season through injury but he will receive a hero’s send-off tonight at Wheldon Road, something that he alluded to as Castleford confirmed that he would be finishing his time with the Tigers and calling time on full-time rugby league.

Castleford Tigers legend makes retirement decision

A statement on the club’s website read: “Castleford Tigers can confirm the retirement of Paul McShane from Full Time Rugby League at the end of the 2024 season.”

McShane, one of just five Castleford Tigers players to win the Man of Steel award, something he earned in 2020, commented on the decision.

He said: “I’ve absolutely loved the past nine years; it’s probably got the best out of me as a rugby player. It’s a club where I’ve become a man. I’ve brought my kids into the world at Cas and that’s all my kids do here is play rugby. My kids love it here and are Cas fans through and through.”

“It’ll be really hard; I’ve always spoken about how playing in front of the Cas fans at Wheldon road is something special and that’s been motivating me throughout my career and made me want to do my best every time I stepped out there. Doing it this one last time on Friday, it’ll be a tough one but something I’ll remember.”

“I haven’t hidden it, the club made me the player that I am today and the person that I am. It’s something that I’ll be grateful for, and I find myself counting my lucky stars every day that I get to end it on my terms.”

“There’s been some great communication between myself and the club, there’s so much mutual respect there. As a player there is no better way than finishing how we are and how I am. I’m just now looking forward to the night on Friday.”