Connacht winger Matt Healy announces retirement

Connacht winger Matt Healy has announced that he will be retiring from professional rugby at the conclusion of the ongoing 2021/22 season.

Healy has been with Connacht since 2012 and has racked up 151 appearances for the club. With 58 tries to his name, the 33-year-old holds the record for the most tries scored for the province. He was also part of the club that clinched the Pro12 title in 2016.

The 33-year-old played a solitary Test for Ireland that came in 2016.

“It has been a privilege to call myself a professional rugby player for the past 10 years, but now is the time to go," he posted on his Instagram page.

"It was a different time when I arrived in Galway back in 2012 and I never dreamed of what @connachtrugby could achieve. The west of Ireland is an incredible part of the world, filled with special people who have captured the hearts of those closest to me over the years. I am immensely proud of the part I have played in giving them a progressive club of which they can be proud.

"My journey began @lansdownefc and I will always be grateful to those who encouraged me to follow this path. They know who they are. Their influence propelled me into a career that has exposed me to some of best and unique experiences this career can offer.

"Behind the scenes, my family have been an unbelievable support over the years. I’ll always cherish the moments we shared on the sidelines together. Whether it was celebrating famous wins in Edinburgh or in providing comfort after the losses too, they were always right there with me.

"Above all, my wife Rachael has made immense sacrifices so that I could do what I do. It is her commitment to being a good person, and a great mother to our girls that I will continue to admire.

"The last year hasn’t played out the way I would have hoped, but that’s how it goes sometimes. Rugby can be ruthless. It was never going to last forever. But the memories will ?“