DOLPHIN hooker Terry Kingston, a former Ireland and Munster captain, has announced his retirement from representative rugby. Kingston, capped on 29 occasions by Ireland, played his last match for Munster against Australia at Thomond Park last Tuesday week. His decision brings to an end a very distinguished career.

Kingston had the distinction of playing for Ireland in all three World Cup competitions, one of only three players to achieve that feat. Only one other Irish hooker, Ken Kennedy has played more often for Ireland than Kingston.

A former pupil of CBC Cork, Kingston, who is 33, won three caps for Ireland at schools level and he went on to play for Ireland at under 25 level in 1987 and against Argentina at B level. He won his first full cap against Wales in the World Cup in Wellington in 1987 and he also played against Tonga and Australia in the 1987 World Cup. He won four further caps in 1988 and then lost out to Steve Smith. He was capped twice - in 1990 and led Ireland for the first time against Japan in the World Cup at Lansdowne Road in 1991.

He became the established first choice for Ireland in 1993 and was also in the side the following season. He was displaced by Keith Wood on Ireland's tour to Australia in 1994, but regained his place during the 1995 championship, before going on to captain his country in the World Cup in South Africa that summer. Last season Kingston played against Fiji, the USA and against Scotland and France in the championship. The match in Paris was his last for Ireland. He was not one of the players given a contract by the IRFU at the start of this season.

A great competitor, he was a member of the Munster side that won the grand slam two years ago and was again in the championship winning team this season. A highlight of his splendid career was when he captained Munster to beat Australia 22-19 at Musgrave Park in October 1992. In addition, to his appearances in the 1987 World Cup in New Zealand and Australia and in South Africa 1985, 1995, he toured Namibia (1991), New Zealand (1992) and Australia (1994) with Ireland.

"I have had a most enjoyable career and I was especially delighted to be on the Munster sided this season," he said last night. "The time has come to step aside from the representative scene. I want to devote more time to my job." He is a director of a computer accessories and systems company in his native Cork.

"I intend to play on for Dolphin this season and I hope that we can make a challenge for promotion from the second division of the AIL. I will review the position at the end of the season. Obviously being made captain of Ireland was a huge honour," he said. He also rates the day he led Munster to victory over Australia as a highlight of his career.

Ballymena look set to turn to a South African influence to guide their rugby affairs for the next few years. Former Springboks scrum half and captain Nelie Smith is likely to be appointed director of Rugby with the AIL first division club. Although the terms of the appointment have not been finalised, it is anticipated that an announcement confirming Smith's appointment will be made by the club next week.

Smith, rated as one of the best coaches in South Africa, will bring a wide depth of experience to his task. He is a former Springboks coach and has also been South African Rugby director of coaching.

Meanwhile, All Blacks second row Ian Jones, who was on the New Zealand Barbarians side that defeated England at Twickenham last Saturday, made a return visit to the Old Crescent club during the week. Jones was attached to Old Crescent for a brief period a few years ago and he took a coaching session with the club on Wednesday night.