CONOR Murray has opted against a move abroad, confirming his retirement from rugby.
After last season’s campaign, the 36-year-old from Patrickswell indicated that he would “pursue a playing opportunity abroad”, but that has not come to pass.
“I had left it open-ended,” Murray told The 42.
“My body felt really good and in a good place. But it was more for a life experience for my wife Joanna and our little boy Alfie, who’s 10 months old now, and just if we wanted to go somewhere nice and experience a nice place to live, for them as much as me wanting to play on.”
Murray said that he received a “couple of offers” to extend his career.
“There was one in Japan but dragging them (his family) there, putting them in a flat in Tokyo or something like that just didn’t appeal to where we’re at at the minute,” he stated.
“Long story short, nothing of appeal came up and I’m very happy to hang up the boots properly and move into the next chapter.”
On RTÉ’s The Late Late Show, Murray revealed he and the family will relocate to Derry.
“That is where my wife is from, so that is the next part of the journey and then, after that, who knows?,” Murray told host Patrick Kielty.
During his 125-cap Ireland career, Murray won five Six Nations titles, including two Grand Slams.
He also made eight Test appearances for the British and Irish Lions across the 2013, 2017 and 2021 tours.
Having made his debut in 2010, Murray played over 200 times for Munster, winning two United Rugby Championship titles.
Murray said: “Fortunately for me, I got to go the distance and step away on my terms.”
Murray’s new memoir, Cloud Nine: My Life In Rugby makes for a compelling read.
