It was confirmed today that three Irish centurions Peter O Mahony, Conor Murray and Cian Healy will end there international careers at the end of the current 6 Nations campaign.
Both O Mahony and Healy will retire and Conor Murray will continue his playing career by taking a playing opportunity abroad. The destination will be confirmed in due course.
All three men have been cornerstones of the Irish side since their debuts in 2009, 2011 and 2012. Cian Healy in particular has come back from a few serious injuries that could have ended his career a lot sooner than 2025.
Conor Murray has stated he will continue his playing career away from Ireland and take up a yet unknown chance elsewhere. He could go to a number of places and would be welcomed with open arms.
He will get to cap number 126 all going well and injury permitting against Italy in Rome. He will play one final game in green next Saturday week against France on home soil. He was first capped before the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
He has gone on three Lions tours in 2013, 2017 and 2021, he was part of the 2011 Munster Magners League winning squad overtaking Peter Stringer and Tomas O Leary in the process to start that final against Leinster in Limerick.
Peter O Mahony will retire entirely and could make it to 114 caps if he is involved against France and Italy. He took over as Munster captain in 2013 from Doug Howlett and then went on to skipper them until last season. He also captained the Lions in the first Test of the 2017 tour of New Zealand.
Cian Healy was first capped in 2009 for Ireland and went on the 2013 Lions tour of Australia only for a nasty ankle injury end his tour very early. He has been heavily relied upon by both Leinster and Ireland through his entire career. Being capped 136 times so far would suggest how durable he has been since his debut in 2009.
All three men have been such big characters in the Ireland set up under Declan Kidney, Joe Schmidt and latterly Andy Farrell. Their experience won’t be easily replaced and also their ability to make the right decision under pressure.
As they all said today, there is still work to be done in green over the next two weeks and then latterly in provincial colours before the season comes to a close. From a personal perspective I want to thank all three men for helping create many happy moments over the years.
To all of you, thank you and enjoy the next chapter….