Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
LEAN, MEAN CIAN’S NOW A MACHINE
A CELEBRITY cookbook is surely the next step after lean, mean Cian Healy got himself slimmer than he has been in almost a decade.
The 30-year-old has been through the wringer in recent years because of a catalogue of injuries and the emergence of Jack Mcgrath as Leinster and Ireland’s No1.
But a hip problem for Mcgrath has provided Healy with a start against South Africa – his 71st cap – and the chance to show Joe Schmidt that he’s serious about getting back to the top with a new body in top shape.
“It would be a dangerous cookbook,” Healy laughed at the suggestion he should share his recipes. “I wouldn’t follow it!
“I just got rid of the s*** weight. There’s no belly weight or anything like that. I’m probably the leanest I have been since, I don’t know, 2008 or so.
“I’m feeling good. I don’t feel like I have any excess weight.”
While Mcgrath was coming off the bench in all three Lions Tests in New
Zealand, Clontarf man Healy was feeling back to his best on Ireland’s summer tour.
“I came out with a pretty positive feeling,” he said. “I had a real desire to get back into summer training which I haven’t had for quite a time. You’re usually ready for your holidays, ready to kick the feet up.
“It’s the first summer in a long time where I’ve wanted to train, keep on top of it, stay fit and look after myself.”
Healy worked a lot at home during the close season – he rented a crosstrainer and used it every morning – and is now down to around 18 stone.
At one stage he was up to a stone and a half heavier but insists he has lost none of his power.
“When I was struggling after a couple of the surgeries, the weight would’ve helped me when I was less capable around the field,” said Healy.
“I’ve got this freshness about myself, I’ve lifted the fitness and dropped the weight. I decided to become fast again and not worry about being a bit of a bulldozer. It’s a balancing act.”