‘My close mates say it’s the best thing ever, I’m going to love it’ – rugby star Conor Murray as fatherhood beckons
Ireland No 9 tells of ‘nesting’, baby books and thoughts about retirement
“I’ve heard people say athletes die twice,” says Munster, Ireland and Lions number nine Conor Murray.
“After you retire, that’s your first kind of death, and then you figure out who you are again. It’s important to be prepared for that as much as possible because it’ll be difficult no matter what.”
In April, Murray (35) extended his contract with Munster for another year, but says the subject of retirement and what he will do next is often at the forefront of his mind.
“It’s the million-dollar question, what exactly are you going to do?” he says. “I’ve seen players my age and even younger retire and then have nothing to jump into. I’ve a few ideas, options.
“I don’t know when I’ll retire. I used to say 35 or 36, but I feel great and I’m enjoying playing at the minute. So I’ll just keep going as long as I’m enjoying it and feel valued.”
The scrum-half, who joined Munster in 2011, is a four-time Six Nations champion and has won 118 caps.
“As athletes every week, you get a schedule of what you’re doing from eight o’clock until four o’clock. You go into training. You’re given your supplements, your breakfast, everything’s done for you really. It’s really structured,” he says.
“I’ve got to make sure when I retire that there’s something I’m doing to challenge me, something that I’m interested in, that keeps me busy, because I can’t sit still. It wrecks Joanna’s [his wife’s] head.”
While Murray may in the latter stages of his rugby career, another phase of his life is just about to begin – that of fatherhood.
Last year he married his longterm partner, Derry-born model and former Miss Universe Ireland Joanna Cooper, and the couple are expecting their first child in November.
“The baby is on the way. It’s really exciting that we’re about to start a little family and go on that journey together,” Murray says.
“There can be thousands of things you could be worried about. It’s just about taking it in your stride and dealing with things as they come, but so far, so good.”
He acknowledges that disrupted sleep and night feeds may be an issue when he has important matches coming up.
“That’s a discussion that I’d probably have to have with herself at some point,” he says, laughing.
“No, we should be fine. Maybe if there’s a big game or something I might slip into the spare room, if I’m allowed. For the start, I presume it’ll be all hands on deck.”
In recent weeks, Murray has been carefully prepping and baby-proofing the couple’s home.
“Nesting, I think it’s called,” he says. “That’s kind of where I’m spending my time at the moment before I go back training. What to Expect When You’re Expecting has been on my bedside locker for a while now.”
It will be the first grandchild on his family’s side, but Cooper has plenty of nieces and nephews.
“She’s got the experience side of things, so I’m going to lean on her,” Murray says.
Have any of his teammates given him any advice?
“A lot of them are like, ‘Oh, your life is going to change, that’s the end of it now’,” he says.
“A few of my closer mates have been like, ‘It’s going to be the best thing ever. You’re going to love it’. Those are the guys I’m choosing to listen to whereas the other guys try to fear you up a little bit.”
Murray and Cooper tied the knot in June last year on the Algarve. They exchanged vows by the sea in front of family and friends, including rugby stars Peter O’Mahony, Johnny Sexton and Rob Kearney, after a secret Irish church ceremony a few weeks earlier attended by two witnesses and their dog, Kevin.
Earlier this year, Kearney was a guest on the Insights with Sean O’Rourke podcast and spoke about the birth of his son, Bobby, saying it was the highlight of his life.
In the course of the conversation, he also said his wedding wouldn’t make it into his top 10 days.
“I’ve beaten the All Blacks, our wedding day doesn’t even register,” he said.
Would Murray share that sentiment?
“That was a funny one. I’m good friends with Rob, so I think he got in a bit of hot water for that. I’m not going to comment on that,” he says.
His own wedding was “some craic”. “You stress about it, and do all the prep and all that, but then when you actually get there, it’s all your friends and family there to make sure you have a good day,” he says. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat, with all the stress and things that came with it.”
We return to his career and the highs and lows. A particular low was when the All Blacks beat Ireland 60-0 in Hamilton in 2012.
“We nearly beat them the week before,” he says. “It was a pretty humbling experience to turn up the next week, probably thinking we could do it after coming so close the week before, and then just be absolutely wiped off the park, and then that’s the end of our season.”
The high has been watching the Ireland squad develop and improve over the years.
“I’m most proud of being on that journey from the start,” he says.
Murray was speaking after being announced as the new ambassador for male laser hair removal at Therapie Clinic. Globally, the market for male cosmetic procedures like hair transplants, filler and Botox has increased significantly in recent years.
Murray says many Irish rugby players get hair removal to help facilitate physiotherapy strapping and taping.
“I think lads are definitely paying more attention to their image, whether it makes them feel good or if it’s for an actual purpose, for your job, like strapping. It’s very acceptable,” he says.