Heaslip scoring with businesses
RETIRED rugby star Jamie Heaslip has been playing smart off the rugby pitch long before his retirement from the game this week.
On Monday, the decorated No 8 for Ireland and Leinster announced his retirement due to injury after an illustrious career.
However, the Kildare man has been busy in recent years preparing for life after rugby. One of those projects is his minority share in Niall Harbison’s Lovin’ Group media company.
New accounts for LD Lovin Dublin Ltd show that it recorded a profit of €48,461 in 2016 and this followed a loss of €112,103 in 2015. Numbers employed by the company increased by 50pc during the year, going from 10 to 15.
The 34-year old also has share in The Bridge 1859 a in Ballsbridge only a short distance from the Aviva stadium with Ireland and Leinster rugby stars, Rob and Dave Kearney and Sean O’Brien.
The pub – formerly Bellamy’s – was acquired by Noel Anderson and the four rugby stars each have a minority shareholding in the venture.
The business’s accumulated profits jumped by €184,330 – from €355,107 to €539,437 in the 12 months to the end of February last.
In preparation for life after rugby, during his injury lay-off, Heaslip has also recently spent time as an adult intern at Google’s Dublin HQ.
As a result of his retirement, Heaslip will be able to avail of the Government’s scheme for retired sports stars that allows them to claim back a 40pc tax deduction on their gross earnings from sports activity over a 10-year period.