Ireland legend Cian Healy reveals the driving force behind his longevity

Although he made his debut as a professional player for Leinster way back in 2007, experienced loosehead prop Cian Healy is still going strong and has no plans to call time on his career any time soon.

The veteran Ireland international made his Leinster debut as a 19-year-old when he came off the bench against the now-defunct Border Reivers and has been ever-present for the Irish province ever since.

And 17 years down the line, the 36-year-old is showing no signs of calling time on his career any time soon after signing a one-year contract extension with Leinster last week.

When asked by the URC media team what keeps him going, Healy replied: “It’s more a case of what’s not – what’s stopping me?

In a ‘good environment’

“It’s just such a good environment to be in and an opportunity to do another year of what I love.

“It will be long enough after, when I’m not playing rugby, so I’m going to enjoy every bit of it that I can.

“It’s just I love what I do and I love the people I do it with.

“There have been a lot of life experiences and it feels like they are all ground into about five years. It doesn’t feel like that long ago I started out.

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“I just love testing myself against different teams and having had the opportunity to do it so many times.”

‘Business not yet attended to’

Another driving factor is Healy’s pursuit for silverware as Leinster chasing the double of the United Rugby Championship and Investec Champions Cup this season.

With Leinster going without a trophy for the past two years, Healy admits that there is a great desire to change that this year.

“There is business not yet attended to and opportunity,” he added.

After winning a league and cup double with Leinster once before, in 2018, Healy gave what he believes is the secret to that success.

“Luck comes in, planning comes in, lots of stuff comes in,” he replies.

“It’s about staying focused and how you get yourself around the intention to win both competitions.”

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