Injuries force Connacht’s Matthews to retire
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By JOHN FALLON
Connacht centre Keith Matthews has been forced to retire from rugby after failing to recover from an Achilles tendon injury picked up seven months ago.
The former Ireland A international is the latest professional player who has been forced to call a halt to his career.
Ironically, the 28-year old picked up the injury shortly after making his 100th appearance for Connacht, who he joined from Munster seven seasons ago.
The Limerick man suffered 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.
Matthews had ruptured his left Achilles tendon and was told it was more serious as the tear was high up. He had surgery in a week and the long road to recovery began.
However, it became apparent during the summer that the recovery was not working out as well as expected and there was a further set-back in September when he tried to run.
But all along the expectation was that he would make a full recovery. “I had to deal with a few serious injuries before and it was always worked out, so I suppose I expected the same now,” he said.
However, the prognosis was not good and his worst fears were confirmed two and a half weeks ago when he went to see a specialist in Belfast and was told he would never play rugby again.
“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.
But, 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 against 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,” said Matthews, who is married to Lisa and they have a daughter.
Matthews has prepared for life after rugby, graduating several years ago from University of Limerick with a degree in computer engineering, while more recently he has studied financial advising and is giving thought to accountancy.
He just hadn’t planned on having to make that adjustment for some time.
“I will always support Connacht. I have grown to love the place and consider myself a Galway and Connacht person and am grateful for the chance I got here. It’s disappointing the way it has ended but at least I got to reach the 100 games. This could have happened after 99,” he added.
