'It was never going to last forever' - Connacht legend Healy announces his retirement

Connacht legend Matt Healy has confirmed he will retire from professional rugby at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old is Connacht''s record tryscorer, having crossed the line 58 times in 151 appearances in green.

Healy was instrumental in Connacht's famous Pro12 title success of 2016, scoring the third try in their 20-10 final win against Leinster, while his 10 tries in the league season were joint-top with Ulster's Craig Gilroy.

His 2016 form for Connacht also saw him recognised with an Irish cap, coming off the bench to make his debut in the third Test of Ireland's summer tour of South Africa.

Healy remained a first team regular for Connacht up until last season, making 13 appearances and scoring three tries, but his only appearance this season came in the Heineken Champions Cup defeat to Leicester Tigers in January.

"It has been a privilege to call myself a professional rugby player for the past 10 years, but now is the time to go," Healy said in a post on Instagram.

"It was a different time when I arrived in Galway back in 2012 and I never dreamed of what Connacht Rugby could achieve. The west of Ireland is an incredible part of the world, filled with special people who have captured the hearts of those closest to me over the years.

"I am immensely proud of the part I have played in giving them a progressive club of which they can be proud."

The Dublin native was signed by then-head coach Eric Elwood in 2012 after impressing for Lansdowne in the AIL, and has cemented his legacy as an all-time great for the province in the last decade.

"My journey began at Lansdowne and I will always be grateful to those who encouraged me to follow this path. They know who they are. Their influence propelled me into a career that has