Can we get Keith out onto the pitch at half time on Friday so that we can show our appreciation for a Connacht stalwart?

I second this.

Didn't want to contribute until it was official. Great pro for us soldiering on through good days and very bad days. Particularly in defence punched well above his weight.

Sad way for it to end for him, the hits going in now are taking their toll with more and more players being forced to retire before their time.

He deserves serious recognition for his time here.

Wish him well for the future and hope he's got out while still in reasonable shape.

Can we get Keith out onto the pitch at half time on Friday so that we can show our appreciation for a Connacht stalwart

Bollhocks, really, really dissapointed with that News. Never entered my head that Keith was only 28, feels like he's been around Conancht forever. Should be very proud of his contribution to the Connacht cause over the years, a no fuss true professional who never ever gave less than 100% commitment to our cuase.

Connacht_Rugby wrote: Matthews retires from Connacht Rugby

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One of Connacht’s longest serving players, Keith Matthews, has been forced to retire due to injury. The 29 year old centre ruptured his Achilles during the captains run before Connacht’s clash against the Cardiff Blues in April, just 13 days after earning his 100th cap for the Province.

“I had never really thought I’d be a professional rugby player, I went through schools and didn’t make the Munster Schools team so never really thought of it as a career. It wasn’t until I was in 1st year college in UL studying Computer Engineering that I made the Irish U19’s and pushed on from there, playing with Munster’s U21’s for 2 years and with Ireland U21 in my final year of college. After that I was in the Irish Academy and it was then that I started thinking there might be a future in it and I got a development contract with Munster.”

“When I finished college Brads (Michael Bradley) offered me a spot in Connacht and I jumped at the opportunity to play regularly. When I first came to Connacht there were only a couple of guys that are still involved here now such as John Muldoon and Michael Swift.”

“Connacht have come on leaps and bounds in the last 7 seasons, it’s brilliant to see, all the facilities are second to none and to have everything on one site is great. There’s been loads of memorable momentsdown through the years but beating Munster here in the Sportsground in ‘07 stands out as one of the best. Captaining Connacht last Christmas was another huge honour for me, the fact that it was against Munster made it even better.”

“I’m going to keep my options open at the moment, I’ve a couple of months to decide where to go next and what to do, I’ve got my Computer Engineering degree from the University of Limerick behind me and I’ve got my QFA (Qualified Financial Advisor) exams now as well so that’s a route I may take. I’m also looking into going back to college next year, maybe to do a post-grad in Chartered Accountancy so we’ll see what happens.”

“The family are living here with me and though we’ve always planned to move back to Limerick at some stage I don’t think we’re ready to leave Galway just yet. We’ve been living here for 7 years and it’s a great city, great people. I would definitely consider myself a Connacht-man now, so even if we do move I’ll always support Connacht.”

“I’ve always enjoyed coaching as well so no matter what I do I’m sure I’ll end up coaching at some level. I have completed the level 2 Assistant course have been involved with Monivea for the last couple of years, we won the Connacht Junior league the year before last and were beaten by Crosshaven in the All Ireland Junior Cup last year so even though I’ve taken a step back since my injury I still follow them very closely

“It’s heartbreaking being told your rugby career is over but I’ve had a little bit of time to get my head around it and though it’s a bit daunting thinking of a life without rugby in it as one chapter closes another opens so I’ll keep myself busy and just get on with it

It’ll be hard not playing anymore, standing in the terraces watching the guys play against Toulouse in the Heineken Cup and knowing I’ll never hear the roar of the crowd after a good break or a good tackle. That was one of things that really hit home and that was pretty tough but I have no regrets at all. I like to think that every time I pulled on the green jersey I gave it my best, yeah I made mistakes, I’m only human but I always gave it 100%.”

“ I’m delighted to have reached 100 caps for the Province, it’s a big milestone and it’s great to know I’m up there on the 100 Wall, it’s something I’m very proud of. I’ve had 7 great seasons with the club and enjoyed every single one of them and I would like to say a huge thank you to all the players, coaches, staff and medical personnel who I’ve worked with over the years, especially the physio’s who’ve helped me in the last 7 months. I’d also like to thank all the Connacht fans and supporters for all the great memories.

Keith Matthews factfile:

• Made his Ireland ‘A’ debut v England Saxons 21/6/09


• 7 Caps for Ireland ‘A’/Wolfhounds


• Won Churchill Cup in 2009


• Connacht Debut v Cardiff 13-9 win Sept 2005


• Won 100th Connacht cap v Edinburgh 1/4/11


• Set up John Muldoon's winning try v Bourgoin in Amlin Challenge Cup Quarter Final 2009/10

Pictures: (Top Right) Keith Matthews in action against Edinburgh in April, (Top Left) Tackling Chris Cusiter of the Broder Reivers in his 2nd game for Connacht, (Above Right) Keith Matthews & Adrian Flavin earned their 100th caps for Connacht on the same night against Edinburgh, (Above) Keith Matthews celbrates with John Muldoon after winn ing the Amlin Challenge Cup Quartwer Final against Bougoin in April 2010, Matthews had set up Muldoon for the match winning try. All pics (C) www.inpho.ie

thats really sad to read and you do have to feel for him. wanting to do what he love and as he said he was expecting another few years. its one thing to be out there last game of the season when you know your retiring but mid season told you will never again play in heart breaking.

"It struck me in the stand against Toulouse and again last weekend against the Ospreys that I would never again experience the thrill of being out there, the buzz from the crowd when you make a break or get a tackle in.

ORIGINAL

Independent Article, By Donnchadh Boyle wrote:
Tuesday November 29 2011

CONNACHT centre Keith Matthews has become the latest Irish rugby player to have his career cut short by injury.

Matthews confirmed yesterday that his playing days were at an end due to an Achilles injury he picked up seven months ago and joins the likes of Leinster duo Ian McKinley and John Fogarty, Connacht's Conor O'Loughlin and Ulster pair David Pollock and Bryn Cunningham who have all had their careers ended prematurely.

The 28-year-old Matthews spent seven seasons at Connacht after a move from Munster and made more than 100 appearances for the Galway side before suffering the injury during the captain's run for a league game against Cardiff.

"I was running and went to go off my left and it was like as if someone had kicked me really hard. I looked back and there was no one there. I knew straight away it was bad, the pain was something else," he said.

The Ireland 'A' international expected to make a full recovery but suffered a setback in September and two weeks ago, a Belfast-based specialist informed the Limerick native his playing days were at an end.

"It was heartbreaking. I was gutted and it took a long time for it to sink in. There were a few tears as I realised this was it, there was no way back. That took time to sink in and I'm still coming to terms with it," he said.

Aside from management and a few others, Matthews kept the devastating news to himself as Connacht were preparing for their Heineken Cup debut against Harlequins.

"I didn't want any negativity to go around, either for the Quins game or the first home match against Toulouse, so I waited before I told the lads.

"It struck me in the stand against Toulouse and again last weekend against the Ospreys that I would never again experience the thrill of being out there, the buzz from the crowd when you make a break or get a tackle in.

"But that's what I need to adjust to. I'm not the first, nor will I be the last, to have his career cut short. I just thought I would get another two or three years out of it, maybe when I was 30 or 32."

- Donnchadh Boyle

Could somebody past the article please? I cant get on the independent in work

From the Independent piece: "I didn't want any negativity to go around, either for the Quins game or the first home match against Toulouse, so I waited before I told the lads."

Sad News.

www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/matthews-...onnacht-2947890.html

Nothing official yet lads.

I've heard a few different people mentioning this, but neither Keith himself nor Connacht have confirmed.

If this is true and I seriously hope its not, as mentioned above the supporters club need to do something to honour such a great servant to Connacht rugby as so many of our long standing players have been allowed slip away without the fans been able to say thanks. If there is something in the pipeline count me in.

www.inpho.ie/media/iE1Mx7ng7a8iuWdZw1ZV0...eZhTTILnL1BIYdrfaM.a

Hope its not true .He's a good solid player.

Is there anything such as a testimonial in Rugby like with Soccer ?

ConnachtCows wrote: It's a real shame if he's had to retire.
I do like the idea, of the Supporters Club presenting him with something, maybe at the last home game of the season. I'd chip in for something, if there was a collection

Maybe the Clan can arrange an official collection at one of the Pro12 Home games, with some of the proceeds to go to a thank you gift and the remainder to go to a local based Charity that Keith supports...

It's a real shame if he's had to retire.
I do like the idea, of the Supporters Club presenting him with something, maybe at the last home game of the season. I'd chip in for something, if there was a collection

>If it is true is there any way we could get some kind of award for him at the end of the

season from the Clan to show our appreciation for his years of service?

I agree he's been one of our leading lights who could have walked away for bigger money and more glory but he stuck with us. Real shame if he's gone.

Best of luck Keith
Cracking player hope he's come out of it with his health, the way he tackled was savage.