Conor Murray: 'I've had best days of my life in green jersey'

Conor Murray has 'lived the dream' but while his retirement from international rugby is nearing an end there is still more to play for before he leaves Munster.

NOT OVER YET: Conor Murray has 'lived the dream' but while his retirement from international rugby is nearing an end there is still more to play for before he leaves Munster. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Conor Murray was going about business as normal at an Aviva Stadium open training session on Thursday morning when the IRFU dropped news that, like Peter O’Mahony and Cian Healy, his Test career had mere weeks left to run.

Texts and WhatsApps started to stack up on his phone even as the squad ran their drills and signed autographs for the hundreds of punters in attendance. Among the initial messages was a simple but standout observation from a close friend.

‘You lived the dream,’ it said.

“I really have,” he admitted when explaining the announcement later. “I feel really proud that I've been part of this team over the years and the coaches and the success we've had. I’ve had the best days of my life in a green jersey.” 

Murray was brought into the Ireland squad as a late bolter shortly before the 2011 World Cup by then head coach Declan Kidney. He ended up being the side’s first-choice No.9 at just 22 years of age on arrival in New Zealand.

He has since gone on to feature in another three World Cups, win five Six Nations titles, two Grand Slams, four Triple Crowns, contribute to three British and Irish Lions tours, and play a part in two Celtic League/URC titles across 199 Munster appearances.

And counting.

That last bit is important.

Now 35, he isn’t done yet. His provincial deal will expire this summer, and there are plans to add one coda to his career with a year abroad, but the hope is that there are major memories still to be made with club - and country - before then.

“So far we haven’t done the European triumph, which is something I grew up wanting to do. But I know I gave it everything for Munster, and I will when I go back for the remainder of the season, and it would be lovely to get one of those cups. I think Pete will say the same.

“We’ve been proud of what we’ve done for our home province, the one we grew up wanting to play for, dreaming to play for. I’ve had so many highs in a Munster jersey. I know there isn’t a European Cup there but there are so many class memories I’ll take with me.” 

Munster has always been in the blood. His grandad Con Roche played for the province and a young Conor Murray was in the Millennium Stadium with his father in 2006 when the province won its first Heineken Cup by beating Biarritz.

The '08 win was watched on the giant screen on Limerick’s O’Connell Street.

The pity of it is that his own journey as a professional started just as that great team was in the process of disbanding. His timing was far better with Ireland, but all the successes shouldn’t mask the resilience shown through the tougher times.

An issue with a bulging disc in his neck, emanating from the summer tour to Australia in 2018, was an obvious low. That cost him five months of game time while his decision to keep the medical details private led to all sorts of wild rumours on social media.

And, like most players, he has been targeted by the online trolls for performances on the pitch too. One of the nastiest episodes followed his performance for Ireland in the Six Nations loss to England in Twickenham just last year.

“Overall, I've been really lucky in terms of lows, and injuries. I know I had the neck thing for a little while but over the whole of my career I've been blessed with injuries and being fit. That's a really important part of having a long career, presenting fit.

“Those tough times, every sportsman gets them. The longer you're around you're guaranteed to get it so it's just about riding them out and coming out the other side stronger. I'm hopefully a stronger person because of it and well able to take whatever comes my way.

“They're really satisfying, coming back and maybe putting in a really strong performance when people have written you off. I'd say I've been really lucky. Everyone gets it and it's great when you come through or show people what you're made of but overall I have lived the dream.”

The overriding feeling now is one of happiness and gratitude and his expectation is that the emotions will bubble to the surface when he stands on the Aviva Stadium turf next Saturday week when the emotions start to sound.

But only for a moment. He spoke here about being fit enough to walk away on his own terms and at his own time of choosing. Another Six Nations title and Grand Slam would be all the more timely. There’s business to be done yet.