JESSICA O’Mahony summed up the emotions of many Irish fans upon the announcement of her husband and two other legends retiring after the Six Nations.
Former captain Peter, Conor Murray and Cian Healy will all pull on the green jersey for the final time on March 15 when they take on Italy in Rome.
The news was broken on Thursday morning via a three-pronged announcement video on the IRFU’s social channels[/caption]
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@peteomahony
Jessica reposted it, adding a love heart and smiling through tears emoji[/caption]
In a follow-up snap she quipped that she was ‘wiping tears away with some tennis’[/caption]
Healy and O’Mahony also intend on retiring from club rugby at the end of the current season, though Murray will continue playing abroad.
The trio have been pivotal to Ireland’s success over the past 15 years with all three having over 100 caps, and Healy having more than anyone with 136 caps.
Healy, 37, made his debut against Australia in Croke Park in 2009 and has remained a fixture in the squad ever since winning five Championships and four Champions Cups.
O’Mahony, 36, will retire after a sterling career havin won 112 caps to date since his debut against Italy 2012 as well as captaining Irealnd to last year’s Championship win.
Murray intends to play on abroad. He’s won 124 caps so far and has been part of five Six Nations winning teams.
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.
“There is still so much to play for with Ireland and their provinces and we will mark their careers at an appropriate time in the near future.
“Knowing each of them, their focus will be on finishing the season on a high, but their influence will endure for many years to come.”
Interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby added: “Since joining the Ireland coaching team back in 2014 it has been a privilege to work with Peter, Cian and Conor.
“They have each played a huge role in the success of Irish rugby over the course of their careers and they continue to inspire their teammates around them.
“Watching how openly they engage with players in their own position and continue to add value around the set-up is testament to their collective character and they are also adding real value on the pitch.
“Knowing each of the guys, they will be focused on achieving even more success this season.
“And we are determined as a group to end their careers with Ireland on a high over these last two rounds.”
To that point, O’Mahony ends his part in the clip with a rallying cry for the remaining fixtures against France and Italy respectively.
The Munster icon emphasized: “It’s been an unbelievable journey and I consider myself very lucky.
“But the job isn’t done and we’ve a big couple of weeks ahead.”
Their last Aviva Stadium outing will unfold on March 8 which could effectively double as a tournament shoot-out with Antoine Dupont and Co once again Ireland’s main rivals for an unprecedented third successive title.
