Cian Healy facts for kids
Healy representing Ireland during the 2015 Rugby World Cup
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| Full name | Cian Eoin James Healy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 7 October 1987 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Dublin, Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 117 kg (258 lb; 18 st 6 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Belvedere College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cian Eoin James Healy (born on October 7, 1987) is a famous Irish rugby player. He played as a prop for the Leinster team and the Ireland national team. A prop is a player in the front row of the scrum, known for their strength.
Cian Healy holds the record for the most international games played for Ireland, with 137 "caps" (which means appearances). He broke the previous record of 133 caps in November 2024. He also played the most games for his club team, Leinster. He stopped playing international rugby after the 2025 Six Nations Championship.
Contents
Cian Healy's Club Rugby Journey
Cian Healy started his professional rugby career with Leinster when he was just 19 years old. His first game was in the 2006–07 season. By the 2008–09 season, he became a regular starter for the team.
Winning European Cups with Leinster
He was a key part of the Leinster team that won the Heineken Cup in 2009. This was a big European competition. Leinster won again in 2011 and 2012, making it three European titles for Healy.
He continued to be an important player, even though he had some injuries. In 2015, he almost stopped playing rugby because of a neck injury. But he worked hard to get back in shape. He lost weight and became a top player for Leinster again in the 2017–2018 season. That year, Leinster won their fourth European Cup and also the Pro14, another major rugby competition. Healy is one of only a few players to win the European Cup four times.
Setting Records for Leinster
On May 4, 2024, Healy played his 111th European game, which was a new record. On September 28, 2024, he played his 281st game for Leinster, setting another record for the most games played for the club.
In February 2025, Cian Healy announced that he would retire from professional rugby at the end of the 2024–25 season.
Cian Healy's International Rugby Career
Cian Healy also had a very successful career playing for Ireland.
Playing for Ireland A
Before joining the main Ireland team, Healy played for the Ireland A team. In 2009, he helped them win the 2009 Churchill Cup, an international tournament.
Playing for the Ireland National Team
Healy was first called up to the Ireland squad in 2008. He made his official international debut in November 2009 against Australia. His coach, Declan Kidney, praised his performance.
In 2010, he played his first game in the Six Nations Championship against Italy. This is a very important annual tournament for European rugby teams.
At the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Healy was named "Man of the Match" in a tough game where Ireland beat Australia.
In 2013, he received a three-week suspension from playing after an incident during a Six Nations game against England.
Grand Slams and Records
Healy was part of the Ireland team that won the Grand Slam in the 2018 Six Nations Championship. A Grand Slam means winning all your games in the Six Nations tournament. He also scored a try (like a touchdown in American football) in his 100th game for Ireland in the 2020 Six Nations.
In August 2023, Healy got a leg injury and missed the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
In November 2024, Healy played his 133rd game for Ireland, matching the record set by another famous Irish player, Brian O'Driscoll. Just a few days later, on November 30, 2024, he played his 134th game against Australia, becoming the most-capped player for Ireland ever!
In February 2025, he also became the player with the most appearances in the Six Nations Championship for Ireland. He announced his retirement from international rugby in February 2025, playing his last game for Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on March 8, 2025, where he scored a try.
Cian Healy's Life Outside Rugby
Cian Healy has interests outside of rugby too! He enjoys painting and has even painted portraits of other rugby players. He is also a DJ, known as DJ Church, and has performed at music festivals with his band partner, DJ Gordo.
Cian Healy's Rugby Achievements
Cian Healy has won many awards and championships throughout his career:
- Leinster
- 4 times winner of the European Rugby Champions Cup: 2009, 2011, 2012, 2018
- 8 times winner of the United Rugby Championship: 2008, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2025
- 1 time winner of the European Challenge Cup: 2013
- Ireland A
- 1 time winner of the Churchill Cup: 2009
- Ireland
- 5 times winner of the Six Nations Championship: 2014, 2015, 2018, 2023, 2024
- 2 times winner of the Grand Slam: 2018, 2023
- 4 times winner of the Triple Crown: 2018, 2022, 2023, 2025
- Individual Awards
- Most European Rugby Champions Cup appearances: 112 games
- Leinster Young Player of the Year: 2009
- Leinster all-time caps leader: 291 games
- Ireland all-time caps leader: 137 games
See also
In Spanish: Cian Healy para niños
