BIG-HEARTED BILLY IS MUN IN A MILLION
MUNSTER LEGEND BILLY IS PROUD HE WAS ABLE TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE OFF THE PITCH
FOURTEEN years to the Reds cause but Billy Holland’s greatest achievement was what he achieved with the platform afforded to him as a rugby player.
In May 2019, he and wife Lanlih’s six-month-old daughter Emmeline passed away after undergoing heart surgery.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, they organised the #bravelikeemmeline fundraiser in support of Crumlin Children’s Hospital, Cork University
Hospital and Ronald Mcdonald House, bringing in close to €700,000 in donations.
Last October, at the Irish Rugby Players Awards, Holland won the Zurich Contribution to Irish Society award in recognition of his efforts.
“What myself and my wife and my family went through was incredibly difficult, that’s putting it mildly, but what we managed to do afterwards with the support of our families and the public is something I’m very, very proud of,” said the Munster star.
“I don’t particularly like the spotlight or anything like that.
“But I was encouraged, and thankfully so, to use the status I have as a professional rugby player to make people more aware of what goes on in hospitals around the country and what many people have to deal with, with sick children, the money we managed to raise and the awareness we brought around the place. I’m proud of receiving that award on behalf of my family, certainly.”
It was with his family in mind that Holland, 35, announced on Monday that his pro career will end when Munster’s season does.
“I’ve had first-hand experience of how important family is, how it’s so important to enjoy the every day moments of life, the ups and downs of that,” he explained.
He spoke of the “incredible appreciation” he has of his son, Matthew, who had his first birthday yesterday and is now taking his first steps.
“I’m lucky to be able to see that,” Holland said. “You don’t
want to miss that because I’m away for a weekend, at training or what not.
“Rugby is all-consuming and dominates family life. My wife has sacrificed many things to allow me to play, you can’t plan ahead.
“These are all things that professional rugby players deal with. But I’ve a strong appreciation of wanting to be at home.
“It’s the little things that I take joy out of in my home life.”
Holland won his only Ireland cap against Canada in November 2016, less than a month after the tragic death of Anthony Foley. “I’m very proud that I’ve played for Ireland,” he said.
“I’d hoped to have made Axel’s one-cap wonder team – he updated that quite frequently!
“I’m disappointed I didn’t get more but I can safely say
I felt like I did everything in my power.
“Sometimes you’re just not a coach’s type of player. You can be so good at something but if a coach doesn’t like or appreciate you, or you’re not part of their type of game plan or plans going forward, there’s nothing you can do. That’s at all levels. But I’ve been lucky over the years, I’ve had six head coaches at Munster who all had an appreciation of what I do.
“I’m not saying that Joe Schmidt (inset), who was the coach then, didn’t like me. I know that he liked me but there were guys that he rated ahead of me. That’s perfectly OK, that’s his decision.
“I’m proud to have played for Ireland. I’m proud of a lot of things I’ve done in my career.”