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Cian Healy

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Cian Healy
Healy representing Ireland during the 2015 Rugby World Cup
Full nameCian Eoin James Healy
Date of birth (1987-10-07) 7 October 1987 (age 37)
Place of birthDublin, Ireland
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight117 kg (258 lb; 18 st 6 lb)
SchoolBelvedere College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Current team Leinster
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007– Leinster 282 (160)
Correct as of 27 October 2024[1]
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007 Ireland U20 4 (5)
2008–2009 Ireland Wolfhounds 8 (0)
2009– Ireland 134 (60)
2013 Lions 0 (0)
Correct as of 30 November 2024

Cian Eoin James Healy (born 7 October 1987) is an Irish professional rugby union player who plays as a prop for United Rugby Championship club Leinster and the Ireland national team.

In November 2024, earning his 134th cap, Healy surpassed Brian O'Driscoll's record for most caps with Ireland.[2]

Club career

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Healy made his Leinster debut at the age of 19 during the 2006–07 season against Border Reivers, when he came off the bench.[3] He transitioned to first choice at his position for Leinster in the 2008–09 season. Healy was a key part of the Leinster team that won the 2009 Heineken Cup in a 19–16 win against Leicester Tigers.

He also played a key part in the 2011 Heineken Cup Final winning team who beat Northampton Saints 33–22.[4][5] Following that up with another Heineken Cup win the following season, 2011–12, against provincial rivals Ulster 42–14.[6]

Healy continued to be a key player for Leinster in the following seasons, but struggled with a series of injuries, nearly retiring in the summer of 2015 after a neck injury.[7] However he managed to return to playing for Leinster, and after losing 10 kilos, regained his position as the first choice in the 2017–2018 season, where he played a key role in Leinster winning its fourth European Cup against Racing 92, along with winning the Pro14 for the first time against the Scarlets. Healy is a member of an elite group of players to have won the European Cup four times, alongside teammates, Devin Toner, Johnny Sexton and Isa Nacewa.[8]

On 4 May 2024, Healy came off the bench in a 20–17 semi-final victory over Northampton Saints for his 111th European appearance, an all-time record.[9] On 28 September 2024, he played a record 281st game for Leinster against the Dragons in the 2024–25 United Rugby Championship.[10][11]

Healy playing for Leinster

International career

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Ireland A

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Healy was called into the Ireland A side that was defeated by England Saxons on 1 February 2008.[12][13] On 21 June 2009, he was part of the Ireland 'A' team that won the 2009 Churchill Cup against England Saxons by 49–22 in the final in Colorado.[14]

Ireland

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He was called up to the Ireland squad for the 2008 Six Nations Championship, but did not play.[15][16]

In November 2009, he made his international debut in the test against Australia at Croke Park, and was praised afterwards by coach Declan Kidney for his performance.[17][18] Healy also played against South Africa. He made his Six Nations Championship debut against Italy in Croke Park in 2010. Healy also started in Ireland's games against France, England and Wales.

Healy was named Man of the Match in a bruising encounter on 17 September 2011, when Ireland defeated Australia 15–6 at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in Eden Park.[19]

Healy was cited to appear before a disciplinary hearing in London on 13 February 2013, where he received a three-week suspension for stamping on the ankle of opponent player Dan Cole during Ireland's second round encounter with England in the Six Nations Championship.[20]

Healy was a key member of the Grand Slam winning Ireland team during the 2018 Six Nations Championship, starting four of the five games including the decider against England in Twickenham.[21] Healy scored a try against France in the final game of the 2020 Six Nations as he reached 100 caps for Ireland.[22]

On 26 August 2023, Healy suffered a leg injury in Ireland's final World Cup warm-up game against Samoa and was omitted from the Ireland squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a recovery period of up to ten weeks.[23]

In November 2024, Healy was named in the bench for Ireland's 2024 Autumn Nations Series fixture against Argentina. This would be his 133rd international cap equalling the national record set by former Leinster teammate Brian O'Driscoll[24] On 30 November 2024, Healy became the most capped player for Ireland, with 134 caps in a win against Australia.[25] His record breaking appearance coincided with the 150th anniversary game for the IRFU.[26]

Personal life

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Healy has painted portraits of fellow rugby players.[27] He is also a DJ, calling himself DJ Church, performing at both Oxegen 2010 and Oxegen 2011 in the Electric Ballroom with his band partner DJ Gordo.[28]

Career statistics

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International analysis by opposition

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Opposition Played Win Loss Draw Tries Points Win %
 Argentina 6 5 1 0 1 5 83.33
 Australia 9 5 3 1 0 0 55.56
 Canada 2 2 0 0 0 0 100
 England 18 8 10 0 1 5 44.44
 Fiji 2 2 0 0 1 5 100
 France 16 7 7 2 2 10 43.75
 Georgia 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 Italy 13 12 1 0 2 10 92.31
 Japan 4 3 1 0 1 5 75
 New Zealand 13 5 8 0 0 0 38.46
 Romania 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 Russia 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 Samoa 4 4 0 0 0 0 100
 Scotland 16 14 2 0 2 10 87.5
 South Africa 7 4 3 0 0 0 57.14
 United States 2 2 0 0 0 0 100
 Wales 16 9 7 0 2 10 56.25
Career 131 85 43 3 12 60 64.89%

as of 15 July 2024[29][30]

Honours

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Leinster
Ireland A
Ireland
British & Irish Lions
Individual
  • Most European Rugby Champions Cup appearances: 112
  • Leinster Young Player of the Year: 2009[31]
  • Leinster all-time caps leader: 281
  • Ireland all-time caps leader: 134

References

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  1. ^ "Cian Healy". Leinster rugby. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Ireland 22-19 Australia: Andy Farrell signs off with win as Irish fight back to edge Wallabies". BBC Sport. 30 November 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  3. ^ "Senior Players". Leinsterrugby.ie. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  4. ^ "Leicester 16–19 Leinster". BBC Sport. 23 May 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  5. ^ "Jonathan Sexton inspires Leinster to Heineken Cup glory". BBC Sport. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 31 May 2011.
  6. ^ "Leinster retain Heineken Cup". Rte.ie. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  7. ^ Farrell, Sean (13 December 2017). "'The papers were signed to retire': After near career-ending neck injury, Cian Healy is thriving again". The42.ie. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  8. ^ Bilbao, Gerry Thornley in. "Cian Healy the history maker wants Leinster to achieve more". The Irish Times. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Leinster fall over the line as they let things slip against Northampton after James Lowe's hat-trick". Irish Times. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Cian Healy set for record-breaking appearance v Dragons". RTE News. 27 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  11. ^ "Leinster huff and puff their way to victory over Dragons in Dublin". The Irish Times. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  12. ^ "Varndell shines in Saxons victory". BBC. 2 February 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  13. ^ "Ireland 'A' Go Down Fighting Against Saxons". IrishRugby.ie. 1 February 2008. Archived from the original on 4 February 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  14. ^ "Ireland 'A' Cap Off Stunning Season With Churchill Cup Success". Irishrugby.ie. 21 June 2009. Archived from the original on 26 July 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  15. ^ "Healy and Sexton in Ireland squad". BBC. 15 January 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  16. ^ "Ireland Team Announcement". IrishRugby.ie. 29 January 2008. Archived from the original on 1 February 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  17. ^ "Prop Healy wins first Ireland cap". BBC Sport. 11 November 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  18. ^ "O'Driscoll praises Irish attitude". BBC Sport. 11 November 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  19. ^ "Ireland shock lifeless Wallabies". planetrugby.com. 17 September 2011. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
  20. ^ "Six Nations 2013: Ireland's Cian Healy given three-week suspension for stamp on England's Dan Cole". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  21. ^ "Ireland Squad | Profiles : Irish Rugby | Official Website". Archived from the original on 5 December 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  22. ^ "France 35-27 Ireland: England win Six Nations despite hosts sealing bonus-point win". BBC Sport. 31 October 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
  23. ^ "Ireland World Cup squad: Cian Healy ruled out as Stuart McCloskey is named in 33". BBC Sport. 27 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  24. ^ Gault, Matt. "Healy set to tie O'Driscoll's Ireland cap record". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  25. ^ "Farrell signs off with win as Ireland edge past Wallabies". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  26. ^ Gault, Matt. "Farrell signs off with win as Ireland edge past Wallabies". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  27. ^ "Rugby World, Man of many talents". Rugbyworld.com. 18 March 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  28. ^ "DJ Church has to wait as Cian Healy signs a new Leinster contract". 23 February 2022.
  29. ^ "Cian Healy". Irish Rugby. Retrieved 18 March 2023.
  30. ^ "Career Figures". espnscrum. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
  31. ^ "Leinster Annual Awards Ball Winners". 8 May 2009.
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