CONOR MURRAY is eyeing a future away from Ireland as he looks forward to a new chapter with his family.
The Ireland and Munster scrum-half will retire from international rugby at the end of the Six Nations.
Conor Murray is married to former Miss Universe Joanna Cooper[/caption]
They have one son together[/caption]
Alfie was born last October[/caption]
He will close the book on the national team alongside Peter O’Mahony and Cian Healy, both of whom will retire from club rugby at the end of the season.
And the 35-year-old will continue playing rugby abroad next season, with the current campaign being his last for his native province.
While he did not specify where the next step of his career will take him, Murray revealed his young family influenced his decision.
And here, SunSport takes a look at his life off the pitch.
How old is Conor Murray?
Conor Murray was born on April 20, 1989, making him 35 years of age – 36 this year.
Originally from Limerick, he made his senior Munster career aged 20 in April 2010.
Since his debut, he is one game away from 200 appearances for the province, winning two United Rugby Championships.
Meanwhile his emergence saw him make his Ireland debut in 2011.
Murray has won 123 caps to date for his country and will be hopeful of making it 124 when Simon Easterby‘s men face France in the Six Nations on March 8.
Victory over the French will put Murray within touching distance of a SIXTH Championship title and a third Grand Slam.
Is he married?
Conor Murray is married to former Miss Universe Joanna Cooper.
They have been thick as thieves ever since they met during a night out back in 2017 – although it wasn’t exactly instant attraction.
Speaking to The Independent in 2018, Joanna laughed when asked if they were instantly drawn towards each other, stating: “I’m not sure if I’d say that.”
They got over that initial stumbling block and tied the knot at a lavish wedding in the Algarve in Portugal in June 2023.
They flew out to sunny Portugal for a weekend long party, with guests treating themselves to win poolside at the Pine Cliffs resort.
When it came to the wedding itself, Murray swaggered in a charcoal grey suit, while Joanna was resplendent in a strapless white dress.
Both husband and wife shared photos of them sharing a nuptial kiss, with the Ireland and Munster rugby legend saying: “Best day of our lives! 5/6/23”
Meanwhile, Joanna said: “Here’s to forever”
Do they have any kids?
Conor Murray and Joanna Cooper have one child together – a baby boy named Alfie.
The pair announced they were expecting in May 2024 – less than a year after their wedding – with Cooper over the halfway mark of her pregnancy journey.
And Munster ace revealed she had given birth on Instagram as he shared a photo of their newborn son last October.
He also shared their son’s date of birth, revealing Alife was born on Tuesday.
The adorable photo shows Alfie covered in a white dressing gown while holding Joanna and Conor’s hands.
Social media influencer Cooper also shared the news on her Instagram story, writing: “My heart might explode”.
It is this burgeoning family that Murray revealed influenced his decision to pursue a career abroad as his time in rugby winds down.
He said: “In terms of playing, play another year somewhere, for my family, they’ve been incredible.
“My wife Joanna, my son Alfie, especially Joanna over the last few years and the sacrifices she’s made.
“So, as a family go away and maybe do something for a year and enjoy ourselves for a lifestyle change.
“Body-wise, I still feel great. I still feel I can play rugby at a high level.
“Nothing is set in stone yet, but I think that would be nice for us to let the dust settle on retiring in this country and go away and have an experience and come back to the real world then.”
What happened to his dad?
The Murray family had a serious scare when Conor’s father, Gerry, was involved in a life-threatening road crash.
In the days prior to Ireland taking on France in the 2023 Six Nations, the avid cyclist was struck by a lorry while out on his bike.
Such was the extent of his injuries that he had to be placed into an induced coma for five days while being treated for serious head injuries at Cork University Hospital.
In May 2023, Murray gave a positive update on his dad’s condition saying that while his dad did suffer a brain injury, he was on the mend and improving all the time.
Speaking to The Independent, he said: “He’s good. He’s home about a month. He’s on the road to recovery.
“He was very, very lucky. It will take a while. Physically, he is a fit man, plays golf and cycles everywhere.”
“Obviously, he spent a while in bed, so it will take time to build up that strength.
“He didn’t break a bone, funnily enough. Mentally, he’s quite good.
“But brain injuries are pretty weird, so it will take a while for him to return to fully normal.
“But he’s home and pottering around. Being at home is the best place for him, obviously.
“He’s in familiar surroundings, with his family around him, the dogs are there, he has the garden there.
