HEALY HITS 100
Legends pay tribute to prop as his cycle of success shows no sign of ending
And both former greats paid tribute to Cian Healy yesterday, who will earn his 100th Ireland cap in France next week.
It’s just over 11 years ago when Hayes was slapped with a six- week ban for a stamp on Healy, inset, who was still a young kid on the scrummaging block.
Healy made his Test debut in the 20- 20 draw with Australia the following month – alongside Hayes in the Ireland front row after The Bull was cleared to play again just the day before.
And the rest is history – he will become only the fifth Irishman to reach the 100 cap mark behind Rory Best, Brian O’driscoll, Ronan O’gara and Hayes himself.
The Munster legend said: “I think coming back when he was almost retired two years ago – shows the durability and the character of him, what it meant for him to play for Ireland, he just wouldn’t give up on it.
“He’s come back and he’s shown what a quality player he is. And he’s still only 32 or 33, I know he started young but you wouldn’t be writing him off yet.
“There’s a f ew more years in fellahs like that.
So there’s no signs of him going anywhere yet.”
Cullen i s now Healy ’s head coach at Leinster b u t t h e y s o l d i e r e d together in the trenches and won three Heineken
Cups in the Blues pack.
“Cian i s an amazing personality, he’s such a unique character and a hugely authentic person,” said Cullen.
“He’s a very caring person in our environment, which a lot of people might not see.
“Obviously, I played with Cian. He was the loosehead and I was his loosehead lock – I’m not sure did I help or hinder his progression in his early years!
Cullen points to Healy’s explosiveness and power, but also his mental strength.
“It’s his mindset that separates him from the rest,” he said.
“He has this mindset of being the best and when you’re playing a contact sport, that physical part of the game and dominating your opponent at scrum or on the carry or in the tackle, whatever that facet is, he wants to deliver that piece for his team.
“The injury was a particularly challenging time for him and trying to figure out how he could come out the other side of that to get back playing.
“He was definitely in a state where he thought it might be over for him but he’s found that great mental resilience to come out the other side of it.
“He’s a remarkable character and dearly loved by everyone here.”
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