Irish rugby stalwarts Conor Murray, Peter O’Mahony, and Cian Healy will retire from international rugby following the conclusion of the Guinness Six Nations next month, the IRFU has confirmed.
The trio, who have amassed a combined 371 caps for Ireland, will play their final Test match against Italy on Saturday, March 15. Healy and O’Mahony are also set to retire from provincial rugby at the end of the 2024/25 season, while Murray will depart Munster for a new opportunity abroad.
Healy, Ireland’s most-capped player with 136 appearances, has had an illustrious career, winning five Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams. O’Mahony, who has played 112 times for Ireland, captained the team to the 2024 Six Nations title, while Murray, with 123 caps, has been a key figure in Ireland’s success over the years.
Reflecting on their contributions, interim head coach Simon Easterby praised the trio for their impact on Irish rugby: “Since joining the Ireland coaching team back in 2014, it has been a privilege to work with Peter, Cian, and Conor. They have played a huge role in the success of Irish rugby and continue to inspire their teammates. Their dedication, leadership, and influence on and off the pitch are truly commendable.”
Healy will retire as the most decorated player in Irish rugby history, having made a record 287 appearances for Leinster, winning four Investec Champions Cup titles and seven URC titles. O’Mahony, who made his Ireland debut in 2012, led the British and Irish Lions in their first Test against New Zealand in 2017 and won two URC titles with Munster. He will retire from professional rugby entirely at the end of this season.
Meanwhile, Murray will continue playing beyond this summer but will leave Munster at the end of the current season. The Limerick native, who has played on three Lions tours and captained the side in the absence of Alun Wyn Jones in 2021, is set to make his 200th Munster appearance in his next game for the province.
With two rounds left in the Six Nations, Ireland aims to give the three legendary players a fitting send-off, as they look to cap off their remarkable careers with one final triumph on the international stage.
