Springboks great Habana leads tributes as Irish SVNS Series icon retires

Springboks legend Bryan Habana and former Ireland Sevens captain Harry McNulty are among those who have congratulated Jordan Conroy on a popular career, with the HSBC SVNS Series icon retiring from professional sevens with an emotional post on social media.

After 10 years with Ireland Sevens, Conroy penned a heartfelt 250-word goodbye on Instagram, after recently helping the Delhi Redz to a second-place finish in the inaugural season of India’s Rugby Premier League.

Conroy was a try-scoring phenomenon for the Irish side on the SVNS Series, starring alongside McNulty and Terry Kennedy during the team’s impressive campaign in 2023/24. Ireland were the second-best team during the round-robin that season, behind League Winners Argentina.

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While Ireland fell short of their medal dreams at the Paris Games, Conroy holds a special place in history as a two-time Olympian with the sevens side. Conroy also went to the postponed Olympics in Tokyo, with the Irish finishing third in Pool C behind South Africa and the USA.

Rugby World Cup-winner Habana thanked Conroy “for all the entertainment”, describing the 31-year-old as “one of a kind.” Argentina’s Marcos Moneta also commented on Conroy’s post, saying the SVNS Series “will miss you.”

France’s Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, Argentina’s Matteo Graziano, Canada’s Asia Hogan-Rochester, New Zealand’s Roderick Solo and McNulty also shared their thoughts. One of the most talked-about players in Ireland Sevens history has officially hung up the boots.

“I didn’t think it would be this difficult writing this, saying goodbye to something that’s been apart of your life the last 10 years. Trying to put everything into words is quite impossible or not shedding a tear while writing this,” Conroy wrote on Instagram.

“First of all I’d like to thank my teammates… my friends… my brothers… who I’ve known from the beginning of when I started this, to those who I met along the way. Thank you for allowing me to share this journey with you, the good times and the bad times.

 

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“We were more than just a team, we were a bunch of lads who believed in each other when others laughed at us. To you I give thanks and I am honoured to have shared this journey with you.

“To the special people who I’ve met around the world who stuck with me since the very beginning and saw something in me… thank you for your kindness, your blessings. It makes me sad that I might not meet some of you ever again, but that’s okay because we can cherish the memories we had.

“Finally to myself for believing in me for braving the toughest storms that this sport has thrown at me but also taught me so many things. I wouldn’t be the Jordan I am today if it wasn’t for this sport.

“I now officially announce my retirement from professional rugby 7s it’s been one heck of a ride folks.

“Peace and love.”