Veteran Ireland trio Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray have announced that they will retire from international rugby at the end of the Six Nations.
Munster loose forward O’Mahony and Leinster front-row Healy also confirmed that they will retire from professional rugby at the end of the current season, while scrum-half Murray revealed that he will further his career abroad following the conclusion of his Munster contract in July.
O’Mahony, Healy, and Murray have contributed greatly to Irish rugby throughout their distinguished careers at Test level.
All three have reached the landmark of 100 Test appearances for Ireland, winning five Six Nations titles – including two Grand Slams – and they will hope to add the 2025 Championship to their collection of honours.
Former Ireland captain O’Mahony came to the fore with a brilliant 80-minute display in Ireland’s 27-18 victory over Wales in Cardiff last weekend. The 35-year-old has won 112 caps since making his Test debut against Italy in 2012 and skippered Ireland to Six Nations glory last year.
The Munster stalwart has been an ever-present for his country over the last 15 years and featured at three consecutive Rugby World Cups in 2015, 2019 and 2023.
O’Mahony, who captained the British and Irish Lions in the first Test of their 2017 tour to New Zealand, has already made 193 appearances for Munster after making his debut for the province against Ulster in January 2010 and won two Celtic League/URC titles.
Meanwhile, Healy, who is Ireland’s most capped international, will call time on his Test career having surpassed Brian O’Driscoll when coming off the bench during the 150th Anniversary Test against Australia at Aviva Stadium last November.
Experienced scrum-half Murray has won 124 caps since making his Test debut against France in 2011 and is currently in joint fourth position, alongside Rory Best, in Ireland’s most capped list with only Healy, O’Driscoll and Ronan O’Gara ahead of them.
Commenting on the announcement, IRFU Performance Director, David Humphreys, said: “It is always a sad time when a player decides to move on, but I would like to pay tribute to all three players and thank them for their outstanding contribution to Irish Rugby over many years.
“It goes without saying that Peter, Cian, and Conor are legends of not just Irish rugby, but Irish sport, and have each made a significant contribution to the success of Irish rugby for more than 15 years.”
