Legendary Irish Prop Cian Healy has called time on very successful 18-year professional rugby career for club and country. The 37-year old is Ireland’s most capped International player with 137 Test match caps to his name.
His last outing nationally was against Italy in this year’s Six Nations. He also holds the record for most appearances provincially for Irish Provincial giants Leinster, with 291 caps. His final appearance for them came in June with their Vodacom United Rugby Championship final victory over the Bulls at Croke Park in Dublin.
This was thought to be his last game, however he got a surprise call up from Barbarians Coach Robbie Deans to play his last ever game in Cape Town at the DHL Stadium. This was personally a great way to bow out in style against the Current back to back world champions – The Springboks.
The result might not have gone his way losing (54-7) but to finish a career against the best team in the world is something very special for any player and certainly was for Healy.
Telecom Asia Sport had the opportunity to chat to him about his 18 years as a rugby professional. He touched on various aspects from the brutal neck injury which he suffered 10 years ago, South African Rugby and the Springboks, taking part in his final match for the barbarians and to future plans with life after rugby.
The brutal neck injury almost ended his career 10 years ago
Back in 2015 Cian Healy lost movement in his right hand after a damaged disk in his neck but thankfully he was able to recover and continue his career for another 10 years.
He overtook legendary center Brian O’ Driscoll as Ireland’s most-capped player against Australia in November 2024. This was a huge moment for him personally and to be the most capped Irish international was certainly a huge milestone.
After that neck injury, I had a different approach to rugby and how I spent my time and how much effort I put into rugby, when that’s nearly been taken away from you, you get a little bit more thankful for those opportunities.
You manage to enjoy it a little bit more and I’ve managed to squeeze 10 years enjoying it a bit more. It’s all been good since then. I’ve been up and down and all around the pecking order, but it’s still better than not doing it.
Thoughts on South African Rugby and playing the provincial franchises in the United Rugby Championship
South African Rugby is in such a strong place, they can pull players from anywhere and put together a top-tier international side that can beat anyone. It’s a massive challenge no matter who they pick.
Having enjoyed many fierce battles against the Springboks and South Africa’s United Rugby Championship franchises over the years, he couldn’t have asked for a more fitting way to finish my career here in Cape Town.
I was just absolutely delighted to be part of the Leinster team that beat the Bulls in the final a few weeks ago and to do it at Croke park was really special for me.
We had some big battles against the Bulls and the Stormers over the last 3 or 4 years, they always physical and they certainly some of the toughest guys I played against, So It was an honor to play against these lads.
I would like to thank everyone who has been part of my career, from the coaches, doctors and my team mates. You guys have been special to me and my family.
Being part of the Barbarians and playing that very last game in Cape Town
The Barbarians stayed the whole week in Camps Bay, the best setting for any international team or invitational team. It was pretty much rugby and also getting to see the beauty of Cape Town for the team.
Also for bunch of international rugby players mainly from New Zealand and Ireland it was also an opportunity for them to take on the world champions in their backyard.
You’re meeting guys properly for the first time, sitting down, talking about rugby, about life, it’s just a great environment.
Some players you’ve played against for years, but now you really get to know them. And when match day comes, you see how different people prepare. I love that part of the week.
Playing against the world champions in their back garden is always special. doing it as part of a Barbarians team makes it even better. The pressure was off during the week, it’s about enjoyment, getting to know people, having a bit of craic [a good time] in training, but also doing things right. That kind of balance is a really special way to finish a career.
Future plans with life after rugby and family
For many rugby players, life after the game can be tough or in some instances it can be very rewarding. Depending on how you plan for life after rugby, it certainly can work in your favor. For Cian Healy he will certainly miss traveling, the big matches and the wonderful moments of winning trophies with team mates but at the same time it will give him an opportunity to connect with his young family at home.
We’ve got some summer holidays planned as a family. I’ve also got a lovely workshop in the back garden where I disappear for hours making chef knives. So that’s something I’ll enjoy a bit of me time.
I do want spend more time with my family, I have sacrificed a lot with my rugby career and sometimes I never had time for them, so I certainly want to be more with my wife and kids, they are special to me and now is the best time to connect with them.
Coaching is also in the pipeline for Cian and doesn’t want to walk away from the game completely.
I’m doing a bit of coaching at my local club and the school I went to just to see if I enjoy that side of it. But mostly, I want to take a year and see what fits.
Rugby has been part of my whole life so, I will still want to be part of it and give back in some way and coaching the scrums or forwards play is something I’m already doing at the local club.
In terms of a modern rugby great, Cian Healy will certainly be someone the fans and public will remember for a very long time. Everything he has achieved throughout his 18-year career was well deserved and he can hang up his boots up with plenty of happiness knowing that he had a successful and fruitful career.
