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By Jim Stokes
Former Ulster charismatic former international back Chris Henry hung up his feet with immediate effect. He will now focus on his coaching duties with Malone in Belfast, where he learned the basics of the game in the late eighties.
Henry's long career was synonymous with hard work and heroism, but was also hampered by a serious illness and personal tragedy.
At age 34, he is currently celebrating his season of testimonials after a 10-year run in the colors of Ulster.
He made his debut against the Harlequins in January 2009, under the blood of his coach Matt Williams. It was the first of 184 occasions he played for his province, his last outing against Scarlets at Guinness PRO14 in September.
Henry was not the most natural player of his time. It took hard work, dedication, foresight and a "rebound ability" to reach the stars.
He has always dreamed of playing for Ireland, but early in his career he imagined he did not have the skills to go to the very end. He therefore made the courageous decision to volunteer for the Ireland Sevens program, which was in its infancy in 2008.
He emerged as a faster, smarter and wiser player, who eventually won 24 selections for Ireland.
Henry made his debut for Ireland against Australia in Brisbane in June 2010, an honor full of sadness. His father William, a former right winger and president of the Malone club, greatly influenced his career. Unfortunately, William died four weeks before his son was named on Declan Kidney's tour. He then made his debut with the support of his family.
Four years later, on the eve of Ireland's autumn international against South Africa in 2014, Henry suffered a mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack).
His Irish roommate Rhys Ruddock and his Irish medical team quickly avoided a tragedy, but it was a traumatic experience for Henry, who initially lost strength on his left side.
In a few months, he regained his place on the playing field. He then faced the Ulster team again and then the international scene. He played eight more games for Ireland before sinking after defeat against Argentina at the Millennium Stadium. the 2015 world cup.
Former teammate Kieran Campbell, director of the province's Academy and involved on Friday night with the Ulster team when they play Uruguay at Kingspan Stadium, briefly described Henry's career. "He was a mbadive pillar of Ulster rugby. Nowadays, it is quite unusual to get a player from a club throughout his career. The other thing you can say about Chris is that not only has he been a good player and a good rugby player, but he is really a good person.
Over the past 18 months or so, he has been exemplary in the way he has entered Team A at times and in the way he has treated young players. This reflects the fact that he is not only a good player, but a good person. I think that any young man who wants to understand the real diligence, effort and patience needed to try to achieve his goals is a good model. I am sure that in the years to come, he will always be a good model for us.
In a statement, Henry, whose wife, Jade, is expecting their first child, said that retirement was a must. "After a lot of thought and in-depth discussions with my family and friends, I think the time has come to pull out of the game that I love a lot.
"No matter how much I would like to end the season with this talented group, my career has taken a hard blow physically and therefore, for the well-being of myself, my beloved wife and my family. I will retire immediately.
"I want to thank all the teams I've been involved with throughout my career, from Malone minions to Wallace High school rugby, from senior rugby to Ballymena and Malone, to Ulster and l & # 39; Ireland. I'm happy to see that my first and last rugby match was for Malone, 29 years apart! "
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