• Home
  • /
  • Rugby
  • /
  • Ireland Scrum-Half Opens Up On Resolving Mental Health Troubles

Ireland Scrum-Half Opens Up On Resolving Mental Health Troubles

Ireland Scrum-Half Opens Up On Resolving Mental Health Troubles
PJ Browne
By PJ Browne
Share this article

Ulster and Ireland rugby player John Cooney has spoken about problems he had with his mental health and how he resolved them.

The scrum-half spent three years with Connacht between 2014 and 2017 during which time he battled injury. Just speaking about the mental troubles which those injuries caused was a vast help to Dubliner.

"When I was in Connacht struggling with injury, probably a lot of people wouldn't say it, I started seeing a counsellor through Rugby Players Ireland - they were able to set me up with someone in Galway," the 28-year-old told BBC Sport Northern Ireland.

I did seven or eight sessions and originally it was just to make me feel better day-to-day because I was struggling about how I was feeling about injuries; every thing day-to-day I was struggling a bit. I think it made a big difference.

Cooney's career has begun to flourish since moving to Ulster last year.

Recommended

He made his Ireland debut on the 2017 summer tour of USA and Japan and won his second cap against Australia in June.

Earlier this month, he signed a new deal with Ulster which will keep him at Ravenhill until 2022.

Advertisement

"I think it's just important to remember the people who have worked hard for you.

"I just thought about my family and my friends, people who had sacrificed a lot for me. Through those hard times, they were the people who got me through it.

"Now I'm getting to where I want to be and I'm grateful for everything they did."

Advertisement

Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

See Also: Not Much Between New Zealand And Ireland In Latest World Rugby Rankings

Join The Monday Club Have a tip or something brilliant you wanted to share on? We're looking for loyal Balls readers free-to-join members club where top tipsters can win prizes and Balls merchandise

Processing your request...

You are now subscribed!

Share this article

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Developed by Square1 and powered by PublisherPlus.com

Advertisement